Assistive Technology

By: Jessica Skelton

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology is any device or service that helps a student with a disability to meet his or her individualized education program (IEP) goals and to participate in the general education setting to the greatest possible extent.

Assistive technology improves the functional performance of an individual with a disability. Students can utilize assistive technology to:

•Communicate

•Perform academic tasks

•Participate in social and extracurricular activities

•Move or travel around the school

•Use proper seating and positioning

•Access materials

http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

Assistive Technology Act

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-108publ364/html/PLAW-108publ364.htm

The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended, addresses the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities, so they can fully participate in their classrooms, workplaces and communities.

The 2004 amendments to the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 supports State efforts to improve the provision of assistive technology to individuals with disabilities through comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages.

The law, formerly known as the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act or “Tech Act,” funds 70 State Assistive Technology Programs.

               

Ergonomic Reacher With Rotating Claw

               

Hands Free Card Holders

               

Ez Key Turner

Assistive technology devices and products

               

Door Knob Gripper                

Pen And Pencil Cushions

Lamp Switch Enlarger

               

Pen And Pencil Weights

Neo Bird Freeform Writing Pen

Assistive technology and devices continued….

               

Big Lamp Switch                

Mounted Table Top Scissors

Type Aid

Self Opening Scissors

               

Wall Switch Extension Handle

               

Roberts Book Holder

               

Big Button Universal Remote

               

Furniture Risers

Assistive technology for hearing impaired

Bionic ear is an assistive technology that is useful for all students with hearing impairment. The teacher wears a microphone cuffed to his/her shirt. The student wears a listening device, which is attached to their ear. Teachers will never have to scream to get their point across. All students will be able to understand with this technology.To date, tests have all been done on cadavers, so while researchers know that the device works (the sound signals are being transmitted to the right parts of the ear and vibrating the umbo), that doesn’t tell anyone what the experience might be like for students wearing the device. Tests in living patients are still a few years away.There is also still some work to be done in enhancing the microphone, which has some trouble with lower-frequency, quieter sounds. The charger for the device would also still be external, just as in conventional cochlear implants.

A cochlear implant (CI) may be recommended for someone who has severe to profound permanent deafness in both ears but who has either had better hearing in the past or who has always used the hearing they have left through conventional hearing aids.The CI system has two parts. The internal electrode array and theexternal parts.

http://www.aidb.org/

Assistive technology for seeing impaired

A screen magnification system enlarges text and graphics on a computer screen. It is loaded into the computer’s memory and functions similarly to a magnifying glass moving over a page, following the cursor, and magnifying the area around it. Using a mouse or keyboard commands, a user positions the cursor on the section of the screen to be magnified or has the cursor move automatically across and down a magnified page at a preset speed. The magnified area may also be emphasized with color and shading, so that users who lose their place on screen may easily locate a magnified area. Fonts used in magnification programs are usually designed to smooth out the jagged or “stair-step” appearance of computer-produced diagonal or curved lines. Today’s full-featured screen magnifiers can magnify all items on a screen, including the mouse pointer, text cursor, icons, buttons, and title bars. The magnifiers also provide a set of mouse tracking features.    Persons with considerable vision may not need a screen magnification program. Instead, they may use a larger monitor that allows for larger text or graphics while keeping all material on the screen. Larger text and graphics can be achieved by lowering the screen resolution so that bigger pixels are used.

Braille is a series of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or whose eyesight is not sufficient for reading printed material. Teachers, parents, and others who are not visually impaired ordinarily read braille with their eyes. Braille is not a language. Rather, it is a code by which languages such as English or Spanish may be written and read.

http://www.aidb.org/

Assistive technology for learning disabled

Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are available in a variety of formats, such as audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3 downloads. Special playback units allow users to and search and bookmark pages and chapters. Subscription services offer extensive electronic library collections. This type of tool may help people who struggle with: reading.

The Maestro may be appropriate for people who:•Are unable to meet their needs and express their opinions using speech, gestures, or body language.•Are learning language, literacy, communication, and social skills.•Have age appropriate language, literacy, communication, and social skills.•Would like a lightweight and stylish device with speakers that can be heard in a crowded room.•Are looking for a device that comes standard with a camera, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.•Can use the touch screen to operate a communication device.•Require an alternate method, including eye gaze* and scanning, to effectively and efficiently operate a device.http://www.nild.net/

Assistive technology for the physically disabled

http://www.apd.org.za/

The Rifton Toddler chair is designed to encourage normal, active sitting posture. With adjustments for varying degrees of abduction and knee flexion, as well as optional support and positioning accessories, the Toddler activity chair is designed for use in speech and language therapy to aid in completion of tasks requiring focus and concentration.

Switch Access  – For Individuals with limited physical access. If an individual can consistently move one part of their body, their chin, a finger, a knee, a toe, their head etc., they can use an adapted switch to access the computer, an iPad, an AAC device for communicating,  and other devices such as a phone or appliances. Scanning software may be utilized with the switch for access. Switches can also be utilized for mobility.

Reference Page American Foundation for the Blind. (2012). Screen Magnification Systems. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from

http://www.afb.org/ProdBrowseCatResults.asp?CatID=39.

American Foundation for the Blind. (2012). What Is Braille? Retrieved September 1, 2013, from http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?FolderID=2&SectionID=6&TopicID=199.

Assistive Technology for Education, LLC. (nd). Examples of Assistive Technology. Retrieved September 1, 2013 from,

http://assistivetechnologyforeducation.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/

Dynavox. (2013). Mastero. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from http://www.dynavoxtech.com/products/maestro/.

Federal Government. (nd). Assistive Technology Act. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from https://www.disability.gov/home/i_want_to/disability_laws/assistive_technology_act.

Great Schools Inc. (1998-2013) Audio Books & Publications. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/954-audio-books-publications.gs.

Langtree, Lynn and Ian.(2004). Disability Products. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from

http://products.disabled-world.com/.

Rifton Equipment. (2013). Rifton Toddler Chairs. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from http://www.rifton.com/products/sitting/toddlerchairs/.

The Association of Technology Act Programs.(1997). Association of Assistive Technology Act

Programs. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from http://www.ataporg.org/legislative.html.

The IRIS Center. (nd) Assistive Technology. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/cresource/what-should-ms-adelaide-know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_01/.

Top 10 List. (2013). Top 10 Assistive Technologies. Retrieved September 1, 2013, from http://top-10-list.org/2011/09/08/top-10-assistive-technologies/.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust Foundation. (nd). Implant Types. Retrieved September 1, 2013 from http://www.uhb.nhs.uk/implant-types.htm.