1. Presented by: Tammy Woods
Assistive technology in the classroom

2. Special Education
Specifically designed instruction provided by a school system to meet the unique learning needs of students determined eligible for a disability as identified by state and federal eligibility criteria.
In the state of Georgia these categories include:
Mild, Moderate, Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities
Other Health Impaired
Traumatic Brain Injury
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Specific Learning Disability
Emotional Behavior Disorder
Deaf/Blind
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Orthopedic Impairment
Significant Developmental Delay
Speech and Language Impairment
Visual Impairment and Blindness
3. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees students with disabilities the right to be educated with their peers in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) to the maximum extent appropriate.
-Georgia Department of Education
For some students this could mean paraprofessional services in all general education classes, for others this could mean full self-contained services. This varies depending on the level of functioning of the student. It is the IEP teams responsibility to determine LRE for each student.
4. Inclusion
The act of integrating students with special needs into general education classrooms with peers without disabilities is inclusion.
For the majority of students, inclusion is the least restrictive environment.
5. Accomodations
Materials that provide a student with disabilities the support they need to function as their typical peers in general education.
These can be supports and assistive technology.
Examples include:
Extended time to complete assignments
Read aloud test questions
Note taking assistance
6. Assistive Technology
Any device that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a student with a disability.
Different students require different types of support.
7. Examples of Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities
Sarah has a Specific Learning Disability in Math
Assistive Technology for her may include:
Calculator to compute multi-step word problems
Computer program that breaks down math steps for her at a slower pace (Moby Math)
8. Examples of Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities
Landon is being served for special education services under the category of Deaf/Hard of Hearing because he is legally deaf, uses ASL (American Sign Language), and cannot speak
Assistive technology examples for him include:
Virtual springboard that he can press that generates sentences to express his basic wants and needs
Communication Picture Board to use pictures to express wants/needs
Teacher use of microphones to magnify voices for his hearing
9. Examples of Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities
Thomas is being served for special education services under the category of Speech and Language Impairment. He can be understood most of the time, but sometimes he is difficult to understand.
Assistive Technology examples for him may include:
Augmentative Speaking Device
Communication Board of pictures to express basic wants and needs
10. Examples of Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities
Lilly suffered from Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of a car accident. She is able to write, but it is mostly illegible.
Assistive Technology examples for her may include:
Fusion Writer (personal typewriter) to type class assignments on
Lined paper, larger lines, dashed lines for easier writing
11. Assistive Technology Examples
Writing
Word Processor
Word Detection Software to help students recall familiar words
Spell Check
Specifically designed paper
Pencil Grip
12. Assistive Technology Examples
Vision
Slantboard (clipboard that is lifted to make words more visible)
Large print classroom activities and assessments
Magnifier to place word under
13. Assistive Technology Explained
Assistive technology is secondary to instructional accommodations.
Individualized Education Plan accommodations help close the academic gap for students with special needs to level the field so that they can learn like their peers in general education.
After instructional accommodations:
Extended time
Condensed assessments
Repeated directions
Orally read aloud test questions
Some students will require assistive technology to increase their academic abilities, such as:
Grip on pencil to assist writing
Computer generated speaking system to express basic wants and needs
Specifically designed writing paper
Any piece of technology or additional support that increases, maintains, or improves the students ability beyond every day classroom materials.
14. As teachers its OUR responsibility to education our students with and without special needs in the BEST way possible.
15. Resources
Georgia Department of Education
Bryan County Special Education Handbook
Google Images