Assistive Technology

Serria C. Eraseren

Good Morning Teachers!!!

Welcome to Special Ed 101! Today we will be learning
about MANY topics under the umbrella of assistive
technology (AT). I am your instructor, Serria Eraseren! I am
currently getting my masters in Ed. Tech & I am a SPED
Teacher who loves working with students that have unique
abilities and needs. Lets get right into it! Pay CLOSE
attention because afterwards, we are going to have a BIG
quiz! Ok? Lets begin ;-).

Assistive Technology (AT) is becoming a trend within the field of K-12

education. Students with special needs often face a tremendous amount of
barriers when it comes to learning.

AT and Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA)The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines AT as both a
device and a service:
Assistive Technology Device

Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired

commercially off the shelf, modified, or customize, that is used to
increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a
disability

Assistive Technology Service

Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the

selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

What is Assistive Technology

AT Fosters Inclusion

AT Benefits All Students

Who can provide evaluation and

prescriptive AT recommendations?
Rehabilitation Engineer or Assistive Technology
Specialist
A professional who is specifically trained in assistive
technology and who is able to determine appropriate
modifications to make tasks at home, school, and/or
work accessible to an individual with a disability.

What is Low Tech AT?

Types of Low Tech AT

What is High Tech AT?

Types of High Tech AT

Any Questions Thus Far?

AT in the Service Learning Classroom

Low-Tech
Hard copies of notes provided by
the instructor or other student
Outlines, double spaced, with
keywords provided by the
teacher or note taker
Printed materials double-spaced
and with larger print
tape recorders
Calculators with voice
synthesizer
Books on tape

High-Tech

Lap top computer for note taking

Electronic spelling masters or
dictionary with voice output
Word prediction software
Outline software
Reading and scanning software
Voice recognition software

Types of Reading
Software for AT

Reading Software within the Classroom

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Jaws
Zoom Text
Easy Reader
WYNN
OpenBook

IEPs & AT

IEPs & AT Cont.

IEPs & AT Cont.

AT in The Classroom

Types of AT for The Classroom

Computer Access:

If a student cannot access the computer in

its standard form and they need it to
perform academic tasks
Examples:

Writing:

If a student is having difficulty with writing

or with composing written pieces:
Examples:

ATTENTION Teachers: We will watch this brief clip on what AT does to help in
the lives of those with disabilities.

Lets discuss your thoughts on the video!

Any Questions Thus Far?

Types of AT in The Classroom

Augmentative/Alternative
Communication

Reading

Types of AT in the Classroom Cont.

Learning & Studying

Mathematics

Types of AT in the Classroom Cont.

Vision

Hearing

General Technology

Any Questions Thus Far?

Who Pays for AT?

Schools systems pay for

general special education
learning materials as well as
technology specified in an IEP.
Rehabilitation and job training
programs,whether funded by
government or private agencies,
may pay for assistive
technology.

Private health insurance pays

for certain assistive technology if
it is prescribed by a doctor as a
necessary medical device or
used for rehabilitation.
Employers may pay for
assistive technology that is
determined to be a reasonable
accommodation, so an employee
can perform essential job tasks.

Benefits of AT
1. Increased self-motivation
2. Greater level of participation
3. Greater sense of independence
4. New opportunities to
communicate and learn with others
5. Have the opportunity to
participate within the course
curriculum to a greater extent

6. Puts students in control of

learning
7. Interact to a greater extent with
traditional learners
8. Accountability
9. Actively participate within daily
life activities
10. Provides students with choices

AT Categories

Communication Aids

Daily Living Aids

Examples:

Education and Learning Aids

Cognitive Aids:

Environmental Aids

Hearing & Listening Aids

Mobility and Transportation Aids

Any Questions Thus Far?

Tips for Teachers

Its time for your quiz!

Are you ready?
Thanks for listening attentively!