Assistive Technology can be described as any device(s) and/or service(s) used to help a student with a disability to meet the goals of his/her Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and to participate in the general education setting to the fullest extent possible.
Mild disabilities are cognitive impairments that limits normal activity. The degree of disability is determined by how it affects daily activities and the level of assistance a person needs.
Website suggestion - www.wizcomtech.com
Hardware suggestion - Wizcom's Quicktionary Reading Pen
Moderate to severe disabilities are cognitive impairments that typically require more assistance for day to day living. At times, moderate and severely disabled students have physical disabilities in addition to the cognitive inabilities.
Website suggestion - www.ablenetinc.com
Hardware suggestion - software to aid in functional and community living
Physical disabilities are strictly physical in nature with no cognitive deficits noted.
Website suggestion - www.adaptivation.com
Hardware suggestion - touch screen accessibility for computer
Sensory disabilities by definition is the impairment of vision and/or hearing.
Hearing impaired:
Website suggestion - audioenhancement.com
Hardware suggestion - FM Transmitters for teacher and student
Visually impaired:
Website suggestion - www.visioncue.com
Hardware suggestion - screen readers, page magnifiers
At-risk behavior/situations are identified as those who are at risk for school failure. They are not recognized as disabled by the federal definition of disability but the lack of school performance mimics that of cognitively challenged students.
Website suggestion - www.brainpop.com
Hardware suggestion - iPad
Gifts and talents by federal definition are "students who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields and who need services and activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities" (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p 411).
Website suggestion - www.tip.duke.edu
Hardware suggestion - Provide various multimedia tools to engage in self directed research.
This is a video that I found about how one teacher uses Assistive Technology in her classroom!! Interesting...must watch!
Assistive technology gloves that translate sign language into speech. Double Awesome. http://t.co/vmjFN8l3CC (ht @techcrunch)
— Joseph Reddington (@joereddington) July 15, 2013
Assistive technology can give students the extra "boost" they need int the classroom! I love helping my students learn! #ED505UWARAY
— C. Anne Johnson (@anne_j3) July 18, 2013
Love your follower post! Love the fact that the new glove can translate sign language into text, and then into spoken-word text through a text to speech engine. That is so neat and awesome. Technology still amazes me daily. This assignment taught me a lot about special education, that I really did not know about. Are you a special education teacher? You also had some great websites to share about each theory. Great post Mrs. Anne!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! We chose some of the same assistive technology. Before this assignment, I was not aware of all the great assistive technologies available to enhance the learning of students with special needs. After being exposed to this type of technology, I feel that it is my job as an educator to research these technologies further in order to provide the best supports for my students with exceptionalities!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, being a teacher of students with learning disabilities or other impairments, one would think I would have already jumped on the technology bandwagon. I have utilized large print media and technology that assists students with note taking, but I'm really beginning to broaden my horizons. I'm going to ask for some of the special education funds to be spent on specific technology for next year!!
ReplyDelete