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Assistive Technology
in the Classroom

Family Center on Technology and Disability

www.fctd.info

What is Assistive Technology?

AT is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability”

- 20 USC 1401(1)

AT can be anything from a simple device, such as a magnifying glass, to a complex device, such as a computerized communication system.

www.fctd.info

AT Fosters Inclusion

Inclusion: The practice of educating all or most children in the same classroom, including children with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development)

AT helps students who have disabilities learn the material in a way that they can understand it

AT helps eliminate barriers students may face that prevent them from being at the same level as their classmates

www.fctd.info

AT Benefits ALL Students

15-20% of the general population is in need of some type of “cognitive task assistance.”

A large population of “at risk” students need assistance, but because they don’t easily fit into a diagnostic profile, they do not receive assistance; if AT is available to everyone, these students can benefit.

AT aids in all of the subject areas in school.

www.fctd.info

A Student’s AT Needs Evolve Over Time

As a student’s schoolwork gets more advanced, their technology needs may change or increase.

New technology may become available that will better meet the needs of the student.

During a regularly scheduled evaluation, the IEP team or another professional may decide that another piece of technology will be better for the student.

www.fctd.info

IEPs and AT

IEPs play a big role in the AT services a student receives.

IEP (Individualized Education Program): Written document that describes a student with a disability’s educational plan; it discusses the disability, goals for the student, various things that need to be done throughout the school year, what services the school will provide, and where the student will learn.

Students receive AT through their IEP.

When the IEP Team decides that AT is an option, they allow the student to borrow the device until it is known that that particular device will help the student in the way intended.

If the AT device is determined to be necessary, steps are made to purchase it or acquire it through a loan program.

If AT is suggested through the IEP, the school must provide a student with it according to the law.

If an IEP Team feels they cannot make the best decision concerning a child and AT, the child may go through a secondary, independent AT evaluation.

AT evaluations look at the student’s abilities and needs, determine goals, and identify possible AT devices to try.

www.fctd.info

Teachers Can Make their Classrooms More Conducive to AT

Have certain computers in the classroom that are set up for the use of the students with disabilities - ones that have necessary software on them.

Include AT in lessons.

Familiarize the other students with the AT that other students may be using in the classroom and make sure they understand why this AT is being used.

Use AT even if it is not necessary; enlarge fonts, use amplification devices, use computers, have calculators available, etc. It will benefit all of the students!

www.fctd.info

AT in the Classroom

The AT you find in your classroom may be in place to aid in the following areas:

Computer Access

Composing Written Material

Communication

Reading

Learning and Studying

Math

Mobility

Vision

Hearing

www.fctd.info

Types of AT in the Classroom

www.fctd.info

AT Category	Examples	Why student would need it
Computer Access	· Word prediction · Switches · Voice Recognition Software · Alternate Keyboards · Pointing Option	If a student cannot access the computer in its standard form and they need it to perform academic tasks
Writing	· Pen/Pencil grips · Adapted paper · Templates · Word processors · Word card/book/wall · Software · Spelling/Grammar Checker	If a student is having difficulty with writing or with composing written pieces
Augmentative/Alternative Communication	· Communication board · Eye gaze board/frame · Voice output device · Device with speech synthesis for typing	If a student shows a documented difference between comprehension of language and ability to express it, demonstrates delayed expressive language, or if their speech is not understandable to those around them
Reading	· Predictable texts · Book adapted for page turning · Electronic books · Single word scanners · Talking electronic devices/software	If a student is having trouble understanding what they are reading or paying attention to the reading assigned

www.fctd.info

Types of AT in the Classroom Continued…

Adapted from:

“A Resource Guide for Teachers and Administrators about Assistive Technology”

Penny R. Reed, Ph.D.

Elizabeth A. Lahm, Ph.D.

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative

January, 2005

www.fctd.info

AT Category	Examples	Why student would need it
Learning/Studying	· Highlighters · Recorded Material · Hand-held scanners · Electronic organizers · Print or picture schedule	If a student is struggling to get their work done in a timely fashion or if they are having trouble understanding the various lessons
Math	· Number Line · Enlarged Worksheets · Calculators · Talking clocks · Voice Output Measuring Devices	If the student is finding it difficult to keep up with the majority of the class on math lessons
Vision	· Eyeglasses · Magnifier · Large print books · CCTV · Screen Magnification · Screen reader · Braille	If the student demonstrates trouble seeing or cannot see at all
Hearing	· Pen and Paper · TTD/TTY for phone access · Signaling devices · Closed captioning · Hearing aids	When the student demonstrates trouble hearing or cannot hear at all

www.fctd.info

General Technology

General technology in the classroom can benefit students with and without disabilities.

Computers, calculators, projectors, smart boards, tape recorders, software, and handheld devices are examples of general technology increasingly used in classrooms.

Research shows that technology aids in enhancing content and skill acquisition by students with a wide range of learning styles.

Even if you do not have a designated student with special needs in your classroom, use technology supports, as they may help students with “invisible” learning disabilities who have not received formal diagnoses.

www.fctd.info

Tips for Teachers

Use technology!

Learn how to use the AT devices that will be present in the classroom.

Familiarize the whole class with the AT and why a certain student needs to use it; it aids in inclusion.

Incorporate AT into the regular school day.

Ask for help if you need it.

Sit in on IEP meetings if possible.

Work with the parents and the special education team or other professionals working with the student.

www.fctd.info

Additional Resources

Family Center on Technology and Disability

http://www.fctd.info/

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

http://www.nichcy.org

Center for Implementing Technology in Education

http://www.cited.org/index.aspx

Assistive Technology in the Classroom

http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/index.php/

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative

http://www.wati.org/

Office of Special Education Programs

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html

www.fctd.info

Family Center on Technology and Disability
Academy for Educational Development (AED)
1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW
7th Floor
Washington, DC 20009-5721
phone: (202) 884-8068
fax: (202) 884-8441
email: [email protected]

“Technology has great potential in

providing access for all learners.

Through the use of a variety of

assistive technologies, students with

disabilities can have the ability to

access the general curriculum. When

assistive technology is appropriately

integrated into the regular

classroom, students are provided

with multiple means to complete their

work.”

-Janet Jendron

University of South Carolina Assistive Technology Project

“The Power of Assistive Technology”

AT Category Examples Why student would need it

Computer Access

 Word prediction

 Switches

 Voice Recognition Software

 Alternate Keyboards

 Pointing Option

If a student cannot access the computer in its

standard form and they need it to perform

academic tasks

Writing

 Pen/Pencil grips

 Adapted paper

 Templates

 Word processors

 Word card/book/wall

 Software

 Spelling/Grammar Checker

If a student is having difficulty with writing or with

composing written pieces

Augmentative/Alternative

Communication

 Communication board

 Eye gaze board/frame

 Voice output device

 Device with speech synthesis

for typing

If a student shows a documented difference

between comprehension of language and ability to

express it, demonstrates delayed expressive

language, or if their speech is not understandable to

those around them

Reading

 Predictable texts

 Book adapted for page

turning

 Electronic books

 Single word scanners

 Talking electronic

devices/software

If a student is having trouble understanding what

they are reading or paying attention to the reading

assigned

AT Category Examples Why student would need it

Learning/Studying

 Highlighters

 Recorded Material

 Hand-held scanners

 Electronic organizers

 Print or picture schedule

If a student is struggling to get their work

done in a timely fashion or if they are havin g trouble

understanding the various lessons

Math

 Number Line

 Enlarged Worksheets

 Calculators

 Talking clocks

 Voice Output Measuring Devices

If the student is finding it difficult to keep up with the

majority of the class on math lessons

Vision

 Eyeglasses

 Magnifier

 Large print books

 CCTV

 Screen Magnification

 Screen reader

 Braille

If the student demonstrates trouble seeing or cannot see

at all

Hearing

 Pen and Paper

 TTD/TTY for phone access

 Signaling devices

 Closed captioning

 Hearing aids

When the student demonstrates trouble hearing or

cannot hear at all