Assistive Technology

Definition

Assistive technology is any device or

service that helps a student with a

disability meet his or her Individualized

Education Program goals. The

assistive technology allows the

student to participate in general

education settings by improving the

functional performance of the

student’s disability.

Disabilities Education ActThe Individuals with Disabilities Education

Improvement Act (IDEA) requires public

schools to make available to all eligible

children with disabilities a free appropriate

education in the least restrictive environment

appropriate to their individual needs.

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is

required for each child. An IEP is a written

plan that describes the student's specific

special education needs and services provided

to meet the student’s needs.

Assistive Technology Devices

Screen Magnification and Reader

Blind or visually impaired students can access

information by using the internal magnification built into

the computer. Other students may require additional

amounts of magnification or screen reading software to

access information.

Students needing additional magnification may access

screen reader software programs developed for computer

users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing

screen content. JAWS reads aloud what's on the PC

screen and gives the user a unique set of intelligent tools

for navigating and accesses web pages and all screen

content.

FM systems may be used for the hearing impaired. This system uses radio signals to transmit amplified sounds. They

are often used in classrooms where the instructor wears a small microphone connected to a transmitter and the student

wears the receiver, which is tuned to a specific frequency, or channel. FM systems can transmit signals up to 300 feet

and are able to be used in many public places. Since radio signals are able to penetrate walls, listeners in one room may

need to listen to a different channel than those in another room to avoid receiving mixed signals. Personal FM systems

operate in the same way as larger scale systems and can be used to help people with hearing loss to follow one-on-one

conversations. Click on the video, to learn more about FM systems.

FM Systems

Students with learning disabilities in

academic areas such as reading, math,

and science can receive assistance from E-

books, Ipads and laptops. These devices

contain text-to-speech audio, and apps that

support academic areas. Students may

access these websites in the classroom or

at home. Many of the apps such as Moby

Max, Compass Learning, XtraMath, and

Stride Academy monitor student progress

in weak academic areas that teachers can

use for subject related intervention.

E-books, Ipads and Computers

Physically disabled students can receive

assistance with adjustable monitors and

keyboards. These devices are attached to

wheelchairs and provide assistance to

students with limited fine motor skills due to

physical deformities. The monitor can adjust in

various positions and the keyboard has trays

that raise and lower with large font keyboards

with easy to see keys. The keyboards are

adaptable for use with ipads and other

electronic devices.

Adjustable Monitors and Keyboards

References

AT and the IEP. (2014, October 13). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://www.ctdinstitute.org/library/2014-10-

13/and-iep

Assistive Devices for People with Hearing, Voice, Speech, or Language Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/assistive-devices.aspx#2

Assistive Technology: An Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

BLINDNESS SOLUTIONS: JAWS®. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness/JAWS

Hearing Loss in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBrnvGKLF_Q&feature=youtu.be