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Week2 homework for UWA EDU505-Assistive Technology
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Assistive Technology By: Nicole Greene ED 505 Technology and Education Spring 0ne 2015 Professor Dr. Beverly B. Ray
Defining Assistive Technology What is assistive technology? According Vanderbilt Peabody College’s The Iris Center assistive technology or “AT is any device or service that helps a student with a disability to meet his or herindividualized education program (IEP) goals and to participate in the general education setting to the greatest possible extent. More simply, AT improves the functional performance of an individual with a disability. Students can utilize assistive technology to communicate, perform academic tasks, participate in social and extracurricular activities, move or travel around the school, use proper seating and positioning, [and] access materials” (pg. 1)
Explanation of Assistive Technology Students are, by law, given the right to a free education and if they are unable to receive an education because of a disability, then assistive technology should be implemented to help the students receive the education to which they are entitled. Assistive Technology provides support, and or specific ways to make material easier to learn.
Laws in regard to assistive Technology Federal law mandates that every child is guaranteed a free education and if the school is unable to provide them with this education due to a disability, the school must provide assistive technology to give the education that they are guaranteed. According to the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services “STAR, Alabama’s Assistive Technology Act Program…is federally funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended in 2004” (pg.1 ) This act provides funds to schools and teachers that have students who require assistive technology.
Types of Assistive Technology According to Microsoft the following list is a few types of assistive technology. • Alternative input devices, • Alternative keyboards, • Electronic pointing devices • Wands and • Touch Braille embossers • Keyboard filters • Light signaler alerts • On-screen keyboards • Reading tools and learning disabilities programs • Refreshable Braille displays • Screen enlargers, or screen magnifiers • Screen readers • Speech recognition or voice recognition programs • Text-to-Speech (TTS) or speech synthesizers • Talking and large-print word processors • TTY/TDD conversion modems *A full description of each type of assistive technology please visit Microsoft’s list at http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx
Assistive Technology to support hearing impaired individuals • Tape recorder- Teacher can record lessons and the student can increase the volume during playback. computer with head phones-This allows the students to listen to material on the computer as loudly as needed. They can also record instruction and play it back at a louder level. FM systems- A microphone is attached to a teacher and the transmitter is attached to the students hearing aid to amplify the teachers instruction.
Assistive Technology to support seeing impaired individuals • Digital magnifiers- enlarge material for students. Screen enlarging programs on the computer- The computer program enlarges everything on the computer for the students. Document Camera/computer- A personal camera that the student can use to transmit pictures of the school material into the computer in order for it to be magnified. Enlarged letters on keyboards- Allows the student to see large letters on the keyboard.
Assistive Technology to support learning disabled Electronic readers (ereaders)- read the material to students that are unable to read the material. Counters- Gives students who are unable to add or subtract mentally the ability to add and take away counters to solve simple math problems. Speak to type programs- a computer program that types what is said. This will allow students who are unable to write or spell to transcribe written assignments.
Assistive Technology to support physically disabled Voice to text software- allows students that can’t type or touch the keyboard to “type” by speaking to the computer Wands and sticks- wands and sticks can be used by hands, mouth, and or head in order for a student to point or touch at various objects. Electronic wheelchair- Allows student to move around the classroom and school to complete assignments and to communicate with peers.
Reference Alabama department of Rehabilitation services (2012) Alabama’s Assistive Technology Resource. Star. Retrieved from http://www.rehab.alabama.gov/individuals-and-families/star Microsoft Accessibility (n.d) Products. Types of Assistive Technology Products. Retrieved from http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx The IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University Nashville ( 2014) The Universal Design for Learning Module. Perspectives & Resources. Retrieved fromhttp://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/cresource/what-should-ms-adelaide-know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_01/