Computer technology is advancing at a rapid rate, causing the diversity and availability of assistive technology computer resources to have a tremendous impact for special education students across the United States. Assistive technology provides an opportunity for students with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities to acquire universal access to tools and opportunities for learning. Despite studies showing the benefits of assistive technology, many school districts fail to achieve the fullest potential that assistive technology can offer. This paper will define assistive technology, identify several obstacles of effective implementation, and present various approaches to overcoming those obstacles.
Assistive technology is defined as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that issued to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities" (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997). While assistive technology can include low-tech items such as canes, wheelchairs, and writing tool holders, this paper is going to focus on high-tech assistive technology electronic devices and software.
Depending on the disability of the student, various assistive technology devices can be utilized. Some physical adaptations include modified computer keyboards that involve color coding, alphabetically arranged keys, and adapted wands and pointers to increase accessibility and input accuracy (Starkman, 2007). Verbal and visual adaptations include programs utilizing OCR recognition, speech to text recognition, text to speech applications, enhanced multimedia applications, and organizational software. The emergence...
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...s, all parties involved will have a clear understanding of the expectations, integration, and evaluation of the procedure in place.
It is evident that assistive technology has a tremendous positive impact on learning for students. These tools allow students with disabilities to function in ways that otherwise not be possible, which can promote learning, accessibility, and positive motivation. The lack of district and school leadership, teacher training and awareness, and the lack of streamlined decision making processes are obstacles that can prevent the effectiveness of the implementation of assistive technology. By creating a unified vision, effective professional development, efficient teacher preparedness academic programs, and well designed implementation plans, districts can overcome these obstacles and reach the needs of the students who need it most.
In this paper I will discuss two different case studies. The first case study involves a 35-month old girl named Kim who struggles with meal time, potty training, and play time with others. I will discuss four assistive technology devices, that would work for Kim. These devices will assist Kim with balance, mobility and undressing. The second case study involves a school age child name Billy, who struggles with benchmark objectives. Billy is in the fourth grade and use Assistive technology devices reading and math. I will discuss different AT devices that can be used to assist Billy with reading and math.
With a wealth of literature touting the benefits of CTE and some progressive schools and school districts already with successful programs with proven track records, it is not the knowledge that the rest of us lack but the will and the attitude. This paper seeks to make the case for the rapid expansion and implementation of CTE programs for students with disabilities in schools and school districts across Western Florida. As well, by exploring existing programs and courses of study, this research will outline best practices,...
Dr. Friedlander consults to a range of private and public schools in the area of assistive technology and provides professional development on the latest software applications in the field of assistive technology. Dr. Friedlander provides onsite training as well as training over the web.
“The purpose of the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) is to provide a comprehensive and thorough assistive technology assessment process” (Barbara, n.d., para. 14). WATI consists of an Assistive Technology Consideration Guide that is made like a table. Horizontally the table entails tasks that the student might be expected to complete in the classroom. Vertically the table asks if the student completes the tasks with special accommodations or AT devices. It also asks what new assistive technology the student will try (Marino, 2006). The ultimate goal of the WATI is to consider different types of AT, and to ensure that the student receives the best services and accommodations. Which will allow the student to learn the curriculum to his/ her full potential and meet the IEP and IFSP objectives (Barbara,
By law, public school systems are responsible for providing each and every student with a disability with a free and appropriate public education. When IDEA was passed, increased emphasis was placed on where and when students with disabilities were educated. Because of this, the focus became access to classrooms and assistive technology was emphasized. AT has a very important role in the educational world. It is used constantly in special education and throughout the IEP process to assist and benefit students with disabilities
Assistive technology devices that either augment or provide an alternative means of communication, can positively impact the lives of nonspeaking individuals who have severe communication disorders. So, why not use it? Assistive Technology Device is defined as “any piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” (IDEA, 1997)
Technology may offer a variety of options for students who may struggle with written expression or have learning difficulties or disabilities. Programs can simplify website, such as netTrekker; encourage visual expressions of knowledge, such as PowerPoint or Google Slides. Students can add images, words, recorded audio and videos.
Students with learning disabilities in the regular classroom may have challenges that require special attention. If the teacher is able to identify the disabilities and the features associated with them then the teacher can tailor the lessons to meet the needs of the students. These may include differentiated instruction and facilitating an inclusive classroom which will see inclusive strategies employed that will cater to the needs of students with learning disabilities. These inclusive strategies can range from individualized learning programs to team and co-teaching. In some cases, the teacher can arrange for a special education teacher or arrange for a pull out program to assist students who have learning disabilities. Strategies that will also cater to learning disabilities may also include the use of technology. According to Ford 2013 ‘In some situations it may be best for students with LD to be taught in separate pull out classrooms with a teacher who can provide targeted skill instruction in areas where a student is struggling.’ ‘When provided appropriate support within this setting, many of these students can achieve academically and develop positive self-esteem and social skills. (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 1991). They also recommend that schools should ‘require in-service programs for all school personnel to give them the knowledge and skills necessary to provide education for students with learning disabilities in the regular education classroom.’ Schools should include activities to help participants learn strategies to meet individual needs of students, foster attitudes conductive to educating students with learning disabilities in the regular education classroom, and promote
2.It is essential to have full and up-to-date details of the agreed ways of working as we need to follow all the policies and procedures as well as all the specific requirements and needs of each
Abstract: Assistive technology is one way that individuals with learning disabilities have been able to overcome the difficulties with comprehension that they possess. This form of technology comes in many forms, ranging from low to high technology devices.
There are several principles that form the foundation of universal design, which is defined as “an alternate path to accessible products or services, […] that have features that enable a person with a disability to use the product or service, whether by itself or in conjunction with assistive technology” (Tobias, 2003).Thus the main purpose of universal design is to make products usable to the greatest number of people, without the use of specially designed equipment (Connell, Jones, Mace, et al, 1997). The seven design elements serve as guidelines for reaching this goal.
... CLD info sheets: assistive technology. Council for Learning Disabilities. Retrieved on April 24, 2005, from http://www.cldinternational.org/c/@CS_yKIo7l8ozY/Pages/assistive.html
During the late 1980’s and 1990’s the number of children with learning disabilities receiving special education services grew rapidly, but during 1998 and 2007 the number of children classified as having a LD has declined by 7% (Cortiella, 2009). “In 2007, 59% of students with LD spent 80% or more of their in-school time in general education classrooms. In 2000, that figure was just 40%” (Cortiella, 2009). In addition, students with disabilities are spending more time with students in traditional classroom settings. According to the Department of Education, “approximately 6 million children (roughly 10 percent of all school-aged children) receive special education services” (Pardini, 2011).
But how is this achieved? The range of special needs covers a very wide spectrum. It will be necessary therefore to examine how ICT can support the various needs. Standard equipment is often suitable for children with SEN. the settings of the computer can be changes to make it more computer friendly.
Computers are now being used to help the blind with a voice synthesizer that tells them what they are typing or what they are trying to see on the screen. According to Palmer (1999),"CCS builds and sells complete handicapped accessible packages, as well as individual products like speech synthesizes voice cards and screen enlargement software. The screen enlargement programs increase type size to aid people who are partially impaired. Those with total blindness use synthesizers both hardware and software versions that read what's on the screen. They work by translating ASCI symbols, the series of code each letter and graphic is assigned into voice transmissions.