ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Adrienne King Professor Cutler Final Paper ED 391.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Adrienne KingProfessor Cutler

Final PaperED 391

What is 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 include mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, as well as hardware, software, and peripherals that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal special education law, provides the following legal definition of an assistive technology device: "any item, piece of equipment, or product system... that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." Under IDEA, assistive technology devices can be used in the educational setting to provide a variety of accommodations or adaptations for people with disabilities.

A Brief History1000AD- Hand held eye glasses were invented.

1285-An Italian Monk makes head worn version of these glasses

1456-Guttenberg invents the printing press and the evolution of eye wear begins

There has been great progress made over the last 150 years due to WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War

1990-The Americans with Disabilities Act is signed into law

Common examples of Assistive TechnologySomeone who has limited hand function may use a keyboard

with large keys or a special mouse to operate a computer

People who are blind may use software that reads text on the screen in a computer-generated voice

Someone with low vision may use software that enlarges screen content

People who are deaf may use a TTY (text telephone)

Someone with a speech impairments may use a device that speaks out loud as they enter text via a keyboard.

Wheelchair LiftThis device is completely motorized to allow for a wheelchair to be loaded into a vehicle while the person is still in it. This technology has allowed for more community involvement for someone who is wheelchair bond.

Scan and Read TechnologyDevice will read aloud and can also improve

reading comprehension

Text size and format can change how words are displayed on the screen

Can be made to use synthesized voices

The down side to this device is the cost is pretty expensive

Magnifying GlassUsing this type of magnifying glass can help make print on a page larger for someone who has vision impairment. This is a simple and low expense example of assistive technology.

Text to Speech SoftwareThe device can help with reading comprehension

It can be scanned directly into Microsoft Word

For a more natural affect it can read using human voices, some have even added breaths in a long passage

Web pages and e-mail can also be read aloud

PDAs and Voice Recognition devices can respond to voice prompts

High Tech communication board software can produce 1000s of pictures and signs

Speech Generating DevicesSelects words and phrases

Has memory and processors

High tech speakers

Can be used by a teacher to utilize the voice of a parent or care taker

Has crisp screen images that can be made suitable for visually sensitive students

A child at playAssistive Technology has allowed this child the enjoyment of playing games and having fun much like her peers are able to do. This device uses a simple switch method. It has been made larger in order for her to better access it.

Most common assistive technology devices used in regular education classrooms.

Communication boards

Eye-gaze or eye-pointing systems

Augmentative communication devices (visual display, printed or speech output)

Text-to-voice and voice-to-text software

Talking word processing with writing support

Braille writer (to take notes, store information, print in various formats)

Braille translation software (translates inputted text that can be Brailled)

Braille printer

Computer with speech output or feedback

Closed-circuit television

All students in the classroom should have an equal and inclusive opportunity to participate in and benefit from the learning process.Word prediction,

abbreviation, or expansion options to reduce keystrokes

Software that allows communication via pictures and symbols

Touch screens

Translating devices: voice language (e.g., English) to output different voice language (e.g., Spanish)

Computer-screen magnifiers

Letter- or word-magnification software

Glare-reduction screens

Talking electronic dictionary, thesaurus, spell checker

Screen readers

Modified Assistive TrikeThis device is often used by Occupational Therapists. The back support and seatbelt allow for safety along with the use of the helmet. This bike pedals with minimal physical efforts and will steer in a straight line allowing a child with moderate to high physical handicaps opportunity for exercise and play.

Assistive Technology and Teaching Models

Teaching Models are often overlooked as assistive technology

Teaching models have been developed that teachers can utilize with autistic spectrum students

Teaching models can be modified to meet the students needs

The Early Start Denver Model for Young Children with AutismPromotes Language, Learning, and

Engagement

Several approaches were combined to put together the ESDM including the original Denver Model and Rogers and Pennington’s Model of interpersonal development

Identifies specific skills sequenced developmentally within specific domains

Specific Domains of the ESDM The ESDM identifies the developmental domains as:

Receptive Communication

Expressive Communication

Joint Attention

Imitation

Social Skills

Play Skills

Cognitive Skills

Fine Motor Skills

Gross Motor Skills

Self Care Skills

EcholaliaOne of the character traits of a student with Autism or

Aspergers is impaired communication. Definition: Echolalia is the uncontrolled immediate

repetition of words spoken by another person. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/echolalia

Echolalia can be both immediate (a repetition of something they have just heard) or delayed (a repetition of information heard previously - minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years!).

Echolalia occurs in normal language development yet decreases as the typically developing child gains more spontaneous generative language.

Educating children with Echolalia In children with autism, echolalia occurs with greater frequency and

lasts for a longer period of time as the child with autism typically experiences significant difficulty developing spontaneous, generative language skills

Echolalia is reflective of how the child processes information.

Children with autism process information as a whole "chunk" without processing the individual words that make the utterance.

Many children with autism also process part of the context in which these words were stated, including sensory and emotional details.

Some common element from this original situation is then triggered in the current situation which elicits the child's echolalic utterance

Other Aspects of The ESDMStrategies in determining long term and short term learning goal

How to develop teaching targets and track progress

Forming plans and frames for teaching.

Developing imitation and play

Developing the use of natural gestures

Developing verbal communication

Contains charts and curriculum checklists

Other Models for Teaching Students within the Autism SpectrumTake Control of Asperger’s Syndrome by Janet Price

and Jennifer Engel Fisher is an excellent reference when dealing with teens who have AS. It contains strategies for success in school, advice on homework, making friends, and the use of technology to communicate with other kids across the country.

Parenting an Adult with Disabilities or Special Needs by Peggy Lou Morgan suggests strategies for planning and protecting children with disabilities in the middle school and high school environments.

All Assistive Technology is not "High Tech " and Expensive… Some of the most practical and satisfactory technology solutions are

inexpensive, simple, "low tech" adaptations and/or devices. Using a spoon with an enlarged handle is often more appropriate and

convenient than an expensive electronic feeding system

Costly sophisticated devices are not always necessarily a part of every solution.

High tech technology doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

Some adapted computer programs are FREE, and to use a computer one needs follow only step by step instructions rather than having to understand how computers work.

Adaptive utensils for eatingThese weighted utensils are one example of a simple and also inexpensive device that can continually improve the life of someone who has a disability.

Assistive Technology Grant(AT) Grant based program that supports consumer-driven state

projects

Allowing people access to assistive technology devices and services.

Eligibility for an assistive technology state grants requires the governor of that state to designate a lead agency to develop, administer and monitor the projects.

The application can either be submitted electronically or by mail including seven separate lengthy forms

For the 2007-2008 school year $24,620,237 was awarded to U.S. States, District of Columbia, and outlying areas.

Quote Summary

If necessity is the mother of all invention, then disability is the grandmother.

-Author Unknown