ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Jennifer RobbinsED505Fall 2014

What is Assistive Technology (AT)

Any device or service that helps individuals with disabilities to participate and benefit fully from their educational setting .

Devices or services can be used to help the individual: Perform certain tasks Communicate Participate in social or other activities Be mobile in their environment Have better access to materials Use proper seating or positioning

Can be low or high tech

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LAWS

Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA)

Assistive Technology Laws

The Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) states that Assistive technology is to be provided for children to help maximize accessibility for these children.

This statute defines what assistive technology is and its importance.Statute: TITLE I / A / 602 / 1 (1) Assistive technology device.-- (A) In general.--The term `assistive technology device' means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability. (B) Exception.--The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device. (Building the Legacy: Idea 2004, 2014)

Assistive Technology Laws (page 2)

The following discusses the Assistive Technology Services:

Statute: TITLE I / A / 602 / 2

(2) Assistive technology service.--The term `assistive technology service' means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes-- (A) the evaluation of the needs of such child, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment; (B) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by such child; (C) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices; (D) coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs; (E) training or technical assistance for such child, or, where appropriate, the family of such child; and (F) training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of such child.

TYPES OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

AT for Individuals with Seeing Impairments

Braille Display with Feature Pack

This lets the user take full control of a PC or Smartphone. This 40-cell braille display provides full braille access to mainstream applications allowing you to read and write braille anywhere on practically any device! And with internal note-taking functionality and a 4GB flash memory, you can create and store documents, books and much more directly on the device! This has wireless connectivity and allows the use to also connect the BC640 w/Feature Pack to an iPad or iTouch for ultimate portability. A truly modern solution for accessing braille.

AT for Individuals who have Hearing Impairments

Speech generating Devices

This helps individuals communicate easier with those around them. This has a capacity of generating 163 messages.

There are also devices that allow the user to type and people can speak back and the software converts the speech to typing so that the student can communicate without signing. These are speech to text devices and software.

AT for Individuals with Learning Disabilities

Big Button Communicators –

A message or instruction can be recorded and the student just has to tap the button to hear the needed instruction as many times as they need. This provides independence.

AT for individuals with Physical Disabilities

Writing Bird –

This device helps people who have trouble holding a pen or pencil.

ReferencesAssistive Technology Industry Association. (2014). Retrieved August 28, 2014, from What is Assistive Technology?: http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859

Assistive Technology (AT). (2014). Retrieved from Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program: http://adap.net/ATlink.html

Baker, Helen. (2014). Assistive Technology Centers. Retrieved from Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services: http://www.rehab.alabama.gov/individuals-and-families/star/assistive-technology-centers

Blind and Low Vision. (2014). Retrieved from Able Data: http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=13134&deep=2&trail=22&ksectionid=19327

Building the Legacy: Idea 2004. (2014). Retrieved from ED.Gov: http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cstatute%2CI%2CA%2C602%2C1%2C

Microsoft. (2014). Microsoft Accessibility. Retrieved August 29, 2014, from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx

National Website on Assistive Tech. (2014). Retrieved from assistivetech.net: http://assistivetech.net/

PBS. (2014). Assistive Technology. Retrieved from PBS Parents: http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning-disabilities/strategies-for-learning-disabilities/assistive-technology/