ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS : Technology Solutions in the Classroom Kathy Knighton ([email protected])[email protected].

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS

TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS:

Technology Solutions in the ClassroomKathy Knighton ([email protected])

Annette Carey ([email protected])

West Virginia Department of Education

Office of Special Programs

Extended and Early Learning

West Virginia 21st Century Schools

Learning for All……Whatever It Takes Who are your students? Do they all have equal access to the

learning environment? What can I do to support their learning?

Your Classroom:

17% of all West Virginia students are students with disabilities

63.6% of children with disabilities are in the general education classroom

Chances are your classroom have students with disabilities

Some Students need more supports than others

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

How We Teach

Child behavior

What if the child does not have easy access to the input (sensory)or access to the output (communication/motor)

INPUT

10% of the population has a hearing loss

37% of children with minimal hearing loss had failed a grade

Children with unilateral hearing loss are 10 times more likely to fail a grade by age 10

UNFAIR SPELLING TEST

How did you do?

1. bath 2. pearl 3. sour 4. mouse 5. learn 6. wheat 7. vine 8. tape 9. hedge 10. mood

Input

80% of learning is through your vision

Vision and hearing are your distance senses

95% of all learning is through your distance senses

90% of learning is incidental

Learning progresses from the known to the unknown

The disability is not the Sensory Impairment

The disability is in INFORMATION GATHERING

Assistive Technology in the Schools

Legal Aspects of Assistive Technology Legislation Implications for schools

Implementation in the Schools Overview of assistive technology

devices/services Educational interventions

Resources

Role of Assistive Technology

Tremendous potential to promote equity for students with disabilities…… independent self-confident productive integrated into school and society.

Technology is for ALL children – for students with disabilities, it may need to be more personalized.

Increase your awareness!!

What is Assistive Technology? “Any item, piece of equipment, or product

system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Assistive Technology

The Assistive Technology Continuum

No-tech

Low-tech

Medium-tech

Hi-tech

No-Tech Assistive Technology

No-tech solutions make use of procedures, services and existing conditions in the environment that do not involve the use of devices or equipment.

These might include services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or the services of other specialists.

Low Tech Assistive Technology

Low-tech items are less sophisticated and can include devices such as adapted spoon handles, non-tipping drinking cups and Velcro fasteners.

Medium Tech Assistive Technology

Medium-tech devices are relatively complicated mechanical devices, such as wheelchairs.

High Tech Assistive Technology

High-tech devices incorporate sophisticated electronics or computers.

Categories of Assistive Technology

There are many types of assistive technology to aid individuals in all aspects of life.

Daily living

Daily Living aids are for use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, dressing, toileting, and home maintenance.

Computer technologies

Computer technologies are input and out- put devices that enable persons with disabilities to use a computer.

Augmentative Communication

Augmentative Communication devices provide a means for communication for persons with limited speech.

Environment Control Units

ECU’s (electronic systems) enable someone with limited mobility or fine motor skills to control devices in the home or other surroundings.

Seating and positioning

Seating and positioning accommodations to a wheelchair or other seating system to provide greater body stability, trunk /head support and an upright posture, and the reduction pressure on the skin surface (cushions, contour seats, lumbar supports).

Mobility Aids

Manual and electric wheelchairs, mobile bases for custom chairs, walkers, three wheel scooters and other utility vehicles used for increasing personal mobility.

Prosthetics and orthotics

Replacements, substitutions or augmentation of missing or malfunctioning body parts with artificial limbs or other orthotic aids (splints, braces, etc.)

Home, school and worksite modifications

Home and workplace modifications are structural adaptations, fabrications in the home, worksite or other areas (ramps, lifts, bathroom changes) that remove or reduce physical barriers for an individual with a disability.

Sensory aids

Sensory assistive technologies enable an individual with hearing, sight, or other sensory impairments.

Universal Design for Instruction (UDI)

Universal Design Design products &

environments to meet a wide range of needs

Ex: ramps, curbs, automatic doors

Architectural concept

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Make learning goals

achievable by wide range of individuals

Built into instructional design/operating systems of educational materials Not added on after the

fact

Legal Aspects: Legislation

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Access to the general curriculum

WV Policy 2419: Regulations for the Education of Exceptional Students

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Improve achievement for ALL students Accountability for students with disabilities

Legal Aspects……

School districts are mandated to make assistive technology available to all students with disabilities if appropriate to receive a free, appropriate public education. IEP Team Decision Home Use Funded by district Provide devices/services

Consideration of special factors. Assistive technology must be considered for ALL

students in the special education process.

Challenges of Assistive Technology

Lack of Information Current/accurate information

Lack of Expertise Skills/Knowledge

High Rate of Abandonment 1/3 abandoned after first year

Lack of Funding Significant barrier

Inclusion and Lack of Assistive Technology

Implications for Schools

PLANNING School district’s long range technology and special education

plans, procedures, services, and budget include assistive technology.

TRAINING All staff are able to appropriately “consider” students for

assistive technology services and/or devices. Staff are trained to integrate technology in teaching to help

students with disabilities gain skills and achieve higher standards. (NCLB)

INCLUSION Assistive technology is used to support the inclusion of

students with disabilities in regular education placements and access to the general curriculum.

Educator Responsibilities

Increasing knowledge of AT How different tools support student needs

Organizing AT implementation

Ensuring that AT is used consistently Across environments

Monitoring student progress

Communicating results to colleagues and parents

Learning more about how AT can enhance instruction and student learning

Assistive Technology

Communication Picture Board, Voice Output Device

Hearing/Vision FM system, magnifier, Braille printer

Position, Access, and Mobility Walker, wheelchair, grab rails

Activities of Daily Living Adaptive eating devices, drinking devices

Environmental Controls Light switch extension, remote controlled

appliances

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS Educational choices in Assistive Technology

Instructional Use of Video & Captioning Multimedia Organizing Tools Providing Access to Portable Tools Word Prediction Technology in Early Childhood Education

Low-tech/High-tech Solutions Commercially Available Adapted Items Creative Solutions

Assistive Technology and ReadingHow Assistive Technology is used to support students in

developing literacy.

Highlighting Important Words Text Readers Changes in Text, Spacing, Color Physical Access Speaking Spell Checkers Electronic Books Single Word Scanners Resources

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/3071 http://www.tcnj.edu/~caties/documents/ATChecklistWATI.pdf

Assistive Technology and Math

Abacus/Math Line Calculator/Talking Calculator Tactile/Voice Output Measuring Devices Math Smart Charts Low Tech Adaptations for Answering Enlarged Math Worksheets On screen Calculator Alternative Keyboards Software/Voice Recognition

Assistive Technology and Writing

Adapted Paper/Pencils Pencil Grips Rubber Stamps Word Processor Writing Guides Computer

Alternate keyboards Arm Support Mouth Stick/head pointer Scanner

Assistive Technology Tools Learning and Studying

Print or Picture Schedule Highlighting Text Recording Material Voice Output Reminders NCR Paper Low Tech Aids to Identify Materials Electronic Organizers Palm Computers Software

CAMP GIZMOCAMP GIZMO

CAMP GIZMO…..CAMP GIZMO….. GIZMO LABS

Computer Augmentative communication Mobility/play Sensory Integration/CVI Resource Library

KIDS CAMP (Inclusive) Child care coordinators/workers Adapt Activities

WORKSHOPS Variety of topics from assistive technology

regulations to switch making WVU Feeding Team

CAMP GIZMOCAMP GIZMO

Assistive Technology Summer Camp Parents, professionals and students learn how assistive

technology can help young children (0-8) with significant and multiple developmental needs

WV Schools for the Deaf and Blind Campus Romney, WV 220 Participants (135 adults/85 children) Lodging/meals provided

Professional Development Opportunities WVU SLPs/OTs/PTs Karen Haines – WVU Class CEUs, Grad Credit from MU and WVU

Technology Tips

Consider low-tech solutions first. Build a network of individuals knowledgeableknowledgeable

about equipment and low-tech strategies. Access local, regional and national resources. Consider adaptable equipment when

purchasing new technology and other educational products.

Systems should be portable.

BE CREATIVE!

TIS Technology Tips

See Equipment Tips Handout Provide print or tactile copy of screens Verbal descriptions Be cognizant of background noise Lighting enough to see…watch for glare Choose font, size, color for strong contrast Paler highlighters Uncluttered screens Described and Caption Media Program:

http://www.dcmp.org/

Resources

Article: Using Flexible Technology to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners: What Teachers Can Do

Pathways to Learning for Students with Cognitive Challenges

AT 101: Assistive Technology Glossary Universal Design for Instruction Web Resources for Assistive Technology in the

Classroom Assistive Technology Funding in the Schools TIS TECHNOLOGY TIPS WVATS Mini-grants

WV RESOURCES West Virginia Department of Education

Office of Special Programs Contact: Annette Carey ([email protected]) Kathy Knighton [email protected]

1-800-642-8541, (304) 558-2696 West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

WV Birth to Three ProgramContact: Pam Roush(304) 558-6311, 1-800-642-9704

WV Early Childhood Resource Lending Library (ECRLL) 558-53881-800-642-9704

West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)1-800-841-8436, www.ced.wvu.edu

West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation ServicesContact: Bev Binford, (304) 776-4702http://www.wvdrs.org, 1-800-642-8207

Thank-you!

04/10/23