Assistive Technology to Meet K

Assistive Technology to Meet K–12 Student Needs

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 defines assistive technology device as "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" (IDEA, 1997, 20, USC, Ch. 33, Sec. 1401 [25] US). The level of guidance and support necessary for each student in the classroom may vary greatly; the student may need anything from physical, verbal, or visual prompts to high-technology devices and services. "No" technology and "low" technology devices do not require electronic equipment and may need only a simple accommodation, are usually readily available, and are cost effective; "high" technology requires a high-maintenance electronic system and, hence, is more costly (Purcell & Grant, 2002).

This table introduces the most common assistive technology devices to regular classroom teachers so that they can ensure that all students in the classroom have an equal and inclusive opportunity to participate in and benefit from the learning process. For additional information regarding specific disabilities or addressing specific content areas, such as mathematics, reading, writing, and others, refer to the Assistive Technology Consideration Quick Wheel (AT Quick Wheel) at the Council for Exceptional Children's IDEA Practices Web site. For an assistive technology checklist, visit Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) at http://www.wati.org/pdf/atcheck1.pdf

The information in the table below is neither prescriptive nor inclusive of a wide range of assistive technology equipment available. For a database source of information on assistive technology, visit
http://www.abledata.com

Assistive Technology for Vision: Aids students who are blind or have low vision.

Eyeglasses
Large-print books
Books on tape
Magnifying glass
Slate and Braille stylus
Stencil
Tape recorder
Cassettes
Stereo headphones
Lighting contrasts
Adapted paper (e.g., raised surfaces, highlighted lines, various colors, sizes)
Pen lights
Calculator with large keys or large display
Talking calculators
Self-sticking notes (such as Post-It� notes)
Highlighters
Color-blind aides
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
Operating system special-accessibility options (screen enlargement, adjustment of keyboard, sound, display, mouse)
Closed-circuit television
Computer-screen magnifiers
Letter- or word-magnification software
Glare-reduction screens
Talking electronic dictionary, thesaurus, spell checker
Video magnifiers
Voice-output screen-reading software
Voice amplification or voice projector
Screen readers

Assistive Technology for Communication: Aids students who have difficulty in communicating effectively (i.e., they are unintelligible, have no or very little verbal skills, or have limited language proficiency).

Pictures, photographs, objects
Communication boards
Communication books
Eye-gaze or eye-pointing systems
Simple voice-output devices
Word cards or word manipulatives
Word window
Writing guides
Voice-output devices with levels
Voice output with icon sequencing
Communication software (allows for communication boards and visual displays)
Augmentative communication devices (visual display, printed or speech output)
Dedicated augmentative communication system
Text-to-voice and voice-to-text software
Talking word processing with writing support
Word prediction, abbreviation, or expansion options to reduce keystrokes
Software that allows communication via pictures and symbols
Head-pointing devices
Touch screens
Translating devices: voice language (e.g., English) to output different voice language (e.g., Spanish)
Electronic and software dictionaries

Assistive Technology for Access: Aids students who have difficulties in accessing communication, learning tools, or engaging in classroom or home activities.

Adapted common tools (e.g., big pencils)
A roller-ball (or tracker-ball) pointing device with a separate button for clicking
Adapted handles (e.g., pencil grips)
Scotch� tape to hold paper in place, Velcro�, slant borders
Adapted book-page turners or fluffers
Adapted paper (different sizes)
Built-up stylus
T-bar to assist with typing
Switches
Head pointers
Joysticks
Adapted mouse
Typewriter
A mouth stick to press keys on the keyboard
Foot pedals or hardware switches instead of a mouse to operate a technology device
Arm support
Slant board
Tilt board
Book holders
Key guards
Onscreen keyboards
Touch-sensitive colored lights
Voice input or output devices
Voice-recognition software (turns the spoken word into the typed word)
Eye-controlled computer-input devices
Computer-access modification software or hardware
Touch window
Portable word processor
Word-completion utilities
Adaptive switches (primary mouse)
Alternative keyboards (e.g., keyboards with easy access, touch keyboards)
Keyboards with accessibility options to input or encode text

Assistive Technology for Hearing: Aids students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Hearing aids
Signaling devices
Vibrotactile switch
Pictures, photographs, objects
Communication boards
Assistive listening devices (e.g., amplified phone system)
Phonic ear
Headphones (to keep the listener focused, adjust sound, etc.)
FM amplification systems (e.g., auditory trainer)
TDD/TTY for phone service
Closed-captioning television
Real-time captioning
CD-based (text)books, electronic books
Audio-voice amplification device for teachers
Telecaption decoders
Vibrotactile systems

Assistive Technology for Learning and Studying: Aids students with high-incidence disabilities (learning, behavior, or cognitive disabilities) to increase, maintain, or improve their functional capabilities.

Highlighting tape
Post-It notes
Picture schedule
Written schedule
Social stories
Written or picture-supported directions
Aids to help find materials (e.g., color tabs)
Editing devices: correction fluid (such as Liquid Paper� or Wite Out�) correction tape, correction pen, highlight tape
Sentence windows
Graphic organizers to visually help in developing and structuring ideas
Single-word scanners (reading pens) or hand held scanners
Portable word processors
Talking word processors
Hand held computers
Voice-recognition products
Software for organizing ideas and studying
Electronic organizers or reminders
Word-prediction software (assists in spelling and sentence construction)
Multimedia software for production of ideas (e.g., PowerPoint®)
Talking electronic device or software to pronounce challenging words
Graphic organizer software
Software for concept development, manipulation of objects, math computations
Portable word processor to keyboard instead of write
Closed-captioning television
Text-reading software
Tactile or voice-output measuring devices

Resources

Assistive Technology Services, Schaumburg (Illinois) School District 54. (2002, August). Tried and true tools for all learners.

Educational Technology Training Center, Valdosta State University. (2002). Special education teacher resources. Retrieved November 20, 2002, from http://ettc.valdosta.edu/Teacher%20Resources/teacher_resources.htm

Generating Assistive Technology Systemically (GENASYS). (2002). Assistive technology, specialized software, and universally designed curriculum. Retrieved November 20, 2002, from http://www.alltech-tsi.org/initiatives/genasys.htm

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-17. (1997). Retrieved November 21, 2003, from http://www.ideapractices.org/law/downloads/Idea97.pdf

Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning. (2001). Assistive technology checklist process. Retrieved November 20, 2002, from http://www.integratingstandards.org/index.html

Purcell, S. L., & Grant, D. (2002). Assistive technology solutions for IEP teams. Verona, WI: Attainment Co.

Reed, P. R. (2001). A resource guide for teachers and administrators about assistive technology. Oshkosh, WI: Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative.

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