This document discusses learning disabilities, individualized education programs (IEPs), assistive technology, and hearing assistive technology. It defines learning disabilities and IEPs, describing the IEP process and who needs an IEP. Assistive technology is defined as tools that help people with disabilities perform tasks, and examples of low-tech and high-tech assistive technology are provided for tasks like organization, note-taking, writing, and academics. Hearing assistive technology systems that can help with communication are also described. The Georgia Project for Assistive Technology is mentioned as a resource for schools.

1. SPECIAL NEEDS FOR ALL
By: Nicole Pearce

2. Learning Disabilities
 Learning disabilities manifest themselves in countless ways, varying
in severity from the very mild to the debilitating and those that
impact different elements of education. Yet they almost universally
end up equally stereotyped, misunderstood and sometimes even
unfairly stigmatized (theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com, 2016).

3. IEP
 What is an IEP?
 Individualized Education Program - to help kids succeed in school. The IEP describes the goals the team
sets for a child during the school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them
(Kidshealth.org, 2016).
 Who needs an IEP?
 A child who has difficulty learning and functioning and has been identified as a special needs student
(kidshealth.org, 2016).
 How are service administered?
 In the classroom, small groups, or special school environment (kidshealth.org, 2016).

4. IEP
 Referral
 The referral process generally begins when a teacher, parent, or doctor is concerned that a child may be
having trouble in the classroom, and the teacher notifies the school counselor or psychologist
(Kidshealth.org, 2016).
 Evaluation process
 a conference with parents
 a conference with the student
 observation of the student
 analysis of the student's performance (attention, behavior, work completion, tests, classwork, homework, etc.)
(Kidshealth.org, 2016).

5. What is Assistive Technology?
 Assistive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive,
adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities
and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and
using them. Assistive technology promotes greater
independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they
were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty
accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing
methods of interacting with, the technology needed to
accomplish such tasks (Wikipedia.org, 2016).

6. Assistive Technology Selection
 Selecting a AT solution is best when done by a team.
 6 steps to finding a solution:
1. Collect child and family information.
2. Identify activities for participation. What is preventing him/her from participating more?
3. What can be observed that indicates the intervention is successful?
4. Brainstorm AT solutions.
5. Try it out.
6. Identify what worked.

7. Types of Assistive Technology
 When choosing Assistive Technology you need to know what the technology is for. Below is a
list of no-tech, low-tech and high-tech options by category of need, that teachers can use to
assist students.

8. Types of Assistive Technology
Organization
 Low-tech solutions include teaching students to organize their thoughts or work using flow-charting, task
analysis, webbing, and outlining (ericdigests.org, 2016).
 High-tech solution might be the outline function of word processing software, which lets students set out
major ideas or topics and then add subcategories of information. Using the Internet, local area networks, or
LCD projection systems enables students and their teachers to collaborate, give feedback, and modify these
applications either as a group or individually at different times (ericdigests.org, 2016).

9. Types of Assistive Technology
Note Taking
 No-tech approach to note taking is for the teacher to provide copies of structured outlines in which
students fill in information.
 Low- and high-tech methods include
 Videotaping class sessions for visual learners or those who are unable to attend class for extended periods of time.
 Sending web-cam photography across the Internet to allow students to see and hear what is happening in class (for
students who are unable to attend class).
 Sending class notes or presentations to students via e-mail.
 Translating print-based notes to voice by using optical character recognition (OCR) software with a voice synthesizer.
 Using notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or portable word processing keyboards to help
students with the mechanics of note taking.
(ericdigests.org, 2016)

10. Types of Assistive Technology
Writing
 Word processing may be the most important application of assistive technology for students with
mild disabilities (ericdigests.org, 2016).
 High-tech assistance include grammar and spell-checkers, dictionaries, and thesaurus programs
assist in the mechanics of writing. Macros are available that will insert an entire phrase with the
touch of a single key. Word prediction software helps students recall or spell words (ericdigests.org,
2016).

11. Types of Assistive Technology
Academic Productivity
 Tools that assist productivity can be hardware-based, software-based, or both. Calculators, for
example, can be separate, multifunction devices or part of a computer's software. Spreadsheets,
databases, and graphics software enhance productivity in calculating, categorizing, grouping, and
predicting events. The Internet, computers, and PDAs can also aid productivity in note taking,
obtaining assignments, accessing reference material and help from experts, and communicating
with peers. Instead of relying on the telephone, students are increasingly sharing documents, using
instant messaging, and transferring documents to each other as e-mail attachments
(ericdigests.org, 2016).

12. Hearing Assistive Technology
 What are hearing Assistive Technology systems (HATS)?
 Hearing assistive technology systems (HATS) are devices that can help you function better in your
day-to-day communication situations. HATS can be used with or without hearing aids or cochlear
implants to make hearing easier—and thereby reduce stress and fatigue. Hearing aids + HATS =
better listening and better communication (ASHA.org, 2016)!
 Types: FM Systems, Infrared Systems, Induction Loop Systems, One-to-One communicators, and
others.
(ASHA.org, 2016)

13. Techers Be Aware
 All student have a hard time listen in the below situation but they are especially difficult for people
with hearing loss:
 Distance between the listener and the sound source (Being Far away)
 Competing noise in the environment (Background noise)
 Poor room acoustics/reverberation
(ASHA.org, 2016)

14. What do they look like?

15. Other Assistive Technology
Abbreviation expanders
Alternative keyboards
Audio books and publications
Electronic math work sheets
Freeform database software
Optical character recognition
Speech-recognition programs
Speech synthesizers/screen
readers
Talking calculators
Talking spell checkers and
electronic dictionaries
Variable-speed tape recorders
(readingrockets.org, 2016)

16. Favorite Assistive Technology
 FaceMouse: For students with limited mobility, Claro’s FaceMouse turns a standard webcam into a
mouse operator, allowing students to use their head and facial gestures to perform a number of
tasks, including pointing the cursor, clicking on sites, or typing on the keyboard.
(teachthought.com, 2016).
 Supernova Access Suite: “A complete screen reader with natural sounding speech and integrated
screen magnifier with Braille display support.” (teachthought.com, 2016).

17. Georgia Project for Assistive Technology
 The Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT), a unit of the Georgia Department of
Education, supports local school systems in their efforts to provide assistive technology
devices and services to students with disabilities.
 Funded since 1991
 Mission: to improve student achievement, productivity, independence and inclusion by enhancing
educator knowledge of assistive technology and increasing student access to appropriate assistive
technology devices and services.
(gpat.org, 2016)

18. Georgia Project for Assistive Technology
Contact info:
Gina Gelinas – Program Manager
Phone: (470) 218-1382
Fax: (404) 651-6457
Email: ggelinas@doe.k12.ga.us
(gpat.org, 2016)

19. References
 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2016). Hearing Assistive Technology. Retrieved
from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm
 Eric Digests. (2016). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities: Update 2002. Retrieved
from http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm
 Georgia Department of Education. (2016). Georgia Project for Assistive Technology. Retrieved from
http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/default.aspx
 Kids Health. (2016). Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Retrieved from
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/iep.html
 LD online. (2016). Help for Young Learners: How to choose AT? Retrieved from
http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088

20. References Continued
 Lisa Nielsen The Innovative Educator. (2016). 25 Incredible Assistive Technologies. Retrieved from
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2011/09/25-incredible-assistive-technologies.html
 Reading Rockets. (2016). Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: Overview. Retrieved
from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-learning-disabilities-overview
 Teach Thought We Grow Teachers. (2016). 8 Helpful Assistive Technology tools for your classroom.
Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/technology/8-helpful-assistive-
technology-tools-for-your-classroom/
 Wikipedia. (2016). Assistive Technology. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology