001+Assistive+Technology



Assistive Technology ====Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Assistive technology can range from mobility devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, computers, speech assistants and peripherals that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies. Having assistive technology available in the classroom is very significant for both the teachers and students to create a least restrictive educational environment.==== ====The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 became the first federal civil right law to protect the rights of a child with a disability. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 helps protect a child with a disability by prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities by the federal government within programs and activities receiving federal fin ==== ==== ancial assistance, including public schools. The act also covers students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of their major life activities; those who have disabilities such as orthopedic impairments or conditions, but do not qualify for special education services are included. School districts have to imply procedures to ensure students with disabilities have full access to the full range programs, activities and services (P.L. 93-112). Even though, there are all these laws protecting a child with a disability prior to 1988 there were several laws that addressed the use of assistive technology by a child with disabilities, but no laws mandated its use; but since 1988, laws specifically addressing the use of assistive technology for a child with a disability have been passed. ====

====The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Tech Act) provides federal funds to states to help develop training and delivery systems for assistive technology devices and services. The Tech Acts requires states and territories to develop state-wide, consumer-responsive programs of technology-related services for individuals with disabilities of all ages. This act had previously defined Assistive Technology devices and services and promoted the availability and quality of assistive technology devices and services to all individuals, including children (P. L. 100-407). In 1998, there was an amendment to the Tech Act which stated that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to improve the lives of American’s with a disability. The amendment also included the funding of the 50 st ates and six territories to develop permanent, comprehensive, state-wide programs of technology-related problems (P.L. 105-304). Even though, the Tech Act defined assistive technology devices and services and mandated the service of assistive technology, but it wasn’t until IDEA in 1990 that outlined the school district’s responsibility to provide assistive technology to students who have a disability. IDEA also includes that each public agency will ensure that assistive technology ====

devices or services are made available to a child with a disability such as special education services, related services, and/or supplementary aids/services.


====With the IDEA, children with a disability, age’s birth to 21, must be considered for assistive technology use if it is needed in order to receive a free and appropriate education. The assistive technology must be identified in a child’s IEP team and the use of the assistive technology within the natural environment; the one where the child would use the service or device. School districts are responsible for helping children with disabilities select and acquire assistive technology devices and must assist in the training of the child and the person who works with the child. This must be determined on a case by case basis with no cost to the parents. Since assistive technology devices represent a significant investment in money and time, school districts need to develop tracking systems, make arrangements for maintenance and repair of devices ( Schools and AT). As assistive technology steadily changes and improves school districts are developing new polices concerning the use of assistive technology devices or services within the classroom.==== ====Assistive technology in the classroom has it benefits and disadvantages for both the students and teachers in the classroom. The benefits that assistive technology on students and teachers in the classroom definitely outweigh the disadvantages in all aspects by helping the learning process for students with all different learning abilities. For teachers assistive technology provides students to have normal social interactions with not only with their peers but with adults too. It is also effective for all because it supports participation in the least restrictive educational environment which is important for all educators to support. It also allows the teacher to provide access for participation in programs or activities which otherwise would be closed to the individual by having assistive technology for his/her students that need them.====



====There are several reasons why assistive technology enhances the lives of disabled students. Having assistive technology available in the classroom can significantly impact self-esteem, learning, independence, and quality of life for all students. It is just more than getting a right answer. It is about self-confidence, social acceptance, and feeling good about oneself. To be able to do the things so-called normal kids can do allows the disabled child to feel normal for a moment. Assistive technology (AT) also provides students help in regards to life span issues, environmental and academic accessibility, and compensatory strategies. Children that use assistive technology have motor skill issues that can make them clumsy and awkward, which is embarrassing to them in the classroom. Having adaptive equipment helps these children better express themselves without frustration. This also solves the problems with gaps in communication that can make them lose friends or not be able to understand lessons that are being taught. An example of this would be allowing students that have difficulty using speech to use pictures and writing with assistive technology to inform others on their thoughts when they have difficulty using speech. Providing technology accessible to all students with learning disabilities or other needs will ensure high achievement for all.==== ====Assistive technology is also very controversy for some and they say that it is a disadvantage for those with disabilities or other learning needs. Some argue that the idea of a student relying on an outside tool such as assistive technology is not true learning. There is also the believe that if a student has to do the work on paper in one subject to be labeled competent, then how does another student use a computer to do the work and that is labeled competent as well. Another disadvantage of assistive technology is that to order work the devices that they are provided, they must know how to use them. For most students this is not an easy thing and it takes them lots of time and countless effort to master. These disadvantages hinder some schools fro providing students with the assistive technology they desperately need.====



====In today’s society, the top major selling points of a device are ease, cost, and the education value. The latest technology that has all of these features is the latest iPad from Apple. The iPad is similar to a destop computer or personal computer but the iPad offers numerous educational tools. The iPad provides an exceptional amount of applied learning techniques like ease, low cost, and educational value. For example, instead of operating a mouse on a PC, the iPad is touch screen friendly. The iTool is an application that provides the special education student to learn better and understand the information more effectively. The positive reinforcement from the applications on the iPad makes it simple to educate the special education students better. Many special education students that cannot operate a PC can operate the new iPad. Applications on the iPad have become a great improved way to apply standards in the classroom. Also, education applications have been on the rise at the iTunes store. One positive idea that the iPad carries is the elimination of other devices. For example, in a special education classroom there are audio systems. With having the iPad in your classroom, the iPad actually has an audio book app. Having this app gives you, as the teacher, endless audio selection.==== ====Another factor that the iPad offers is low cost. The iPad is set at a reasonable price for all. Although apps do need purchased, they are inexpensive. Some of the apps that are available are very educational. With the special education student, you can now increase vocabulary, sight words, math facts, reading comprehension, and so on. The opportunities are endless! The iPad also provides voice recognition, so if a student has a disability where he or she cannot type, the iPad can type for the student. Instead of using the blackboard with IA’s, you can now provide each student with an iPad and complete math problems, site words, etc on their own! The iPad also provides the student with a large HD screen which will attract the student attention. With having an iPad for each student, it provides a better one-to-one ratio with each student.==== ====As I was researching assistive technology in special education, I came across iPad’s in the special education classroom from a student’s point of view. The student began to say that the iPad is a great feature in the classroom. She liked that she could life the iPad herself, so if she had a, she could directly ask her IA or teacher. She also added that in her special education classroom, they were learning a lot faster as a group. The last positive effect on the student is interaction. The students are able to interact more as a class using the iPad.==== ====As you can see, the iPad is just one example of assistive technology in the classroom. I believe that you will begin to see more iPad’s in the special education classroom. With the iPad, special education students can be more successful.====

__References:__ //Schools and AT.// (2000-2005). Retrieved from [] http://media.photobucket.com/image/assistive%20technology/PRWeb_03_2011/08/gI_349503_BVI-iPadUser.jpg?o=44 http://mrsreber.com/assistivetech.html
 * http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-young-children-special-education

http://www.isbe.state.il.us/spec-ed/html/assist_tech.htm

http://www.pluk.org/Pubs/MT/MT_AssistiveTechGuide_378K.pdf

http://connected.waldenu.edu/curriculum-resources/technology-in-the-classroom/item/884-assistive-technology-special-education-students http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs?page=1 http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/Laws/atlegislation.php

http://www.dreamms.org/

http://www.ataccess.org/

http://jenniferterry.suite101.com/assistive-technology-and-special-education-provided-by-the-school-a245503

http://www.atp.ne.gov/techassistdoc.html

http://www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us/csleynse/2011/02/13/elmo-doc-camera/

http://www.technologyawards.org/assistive_technology/Assistive_Technology_and_Special_Education.html || Katelyn Alkire, Jessica Sage, Jenny Davis Frostburg State University Finished on: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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