This document discusses assistive technology (AT) and how it helps students with disabilities meet their educational goals. AT is defined as any device or service that helps a student participate in class. The document outlines several types of AT for different disabilities including hearing impairments, visual impairments, learning disabilities, and physical impairments. Examples provided include hearing aids, Braille writers, graphic organizers, and wheelchairs. The document also discusses laws requiring schools to provide AT and resources in Alabama for assistive technology.

1. Today’s AT –
Assistive Technology
BY: SHERRY BREWER

2. What is AT?
What is Assistive Technology?
 AT is any device or service, whether high tech or low
tech, that helps a student with a disability meet his or
her Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals
 AT allows a student with a disability the ability to
participate in the general classroom
 AT aids those students with disabilities to reach their
learning outcomes

3. AT - It’s the LAW
 The United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (amended in
2004) refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether
acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to
maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities“.
 Providing AT devices and services is the responsibility of a school, per
an IEP, free of charge, to ensure FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public
Education).
 (CATEA) Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Assess, 2010).
http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw060109

4. Alabama Resources
 STAR - The Alabama Assistive Technology ACT program is funded
federally and administered through the Alabama Department of
Rehabilitation Services. Under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, and
amended in 2004 (P.L. 109-364) STAR was created to provide free
resources for Alabamians regarding topics on disability rights, laws and
policies, and funding for assistive technology.

5. AT for the Hearing Impaired
 FM (Frequency Modulated) device for amplification of
sounds
 Telecommunication devices for alert systems such as
telephone calls, fire alarms, bells
 Audio books, headphones – allows audio adjustments
 ALD (Assisted listening devices) used for amplification,
teacher speaks into microphone, student has amplification
device to adjust as needed
 Hearing aid, attaches to or around the ear(s) for
amplification
 Live speech captioning for video – a scrolling feed converts
speech to text
Hearing impaired
students use
headphones and FM
devices to amplify and
adjust sound levels

6. AT for the Visually Impaired
 Eyeglasses – optical tool used to improve vision
 Slant board –Provides angled perch for reading & writing,
decreases glare
 Book scanners – turns text into speech
 Magnifiers- increases size of text and graphics
 Video display – increases video size, color, and contrast
 Text Readers – converts any text to audio
 Large print in books, signs, materials
 Computer based reading software – provides audio of text
 Braille book, Braille writer
 Cane – provides mobile assistance
Severely visually impaired or
blind students may use a
BrailleWriter, a special
typewriter to produce Braille
text.

7. AT for the Learning Disabled
 Graphic Organizers – whether paper or computer
generated, help to organizational materials and ideas
 Highlighters, sticky notes – codes and organizes
 Hand-held calculators – assists with math assignments
 Recorded audio books and pointers – focuses student on
key passages and text
 Dictate & convert software – assists students with writing or
coordination disabilities
 Oversized tools such as pencils, pens, paintbrush allow for
easier manipulation and use
Low tech tools, such as this
larger paintbrush, allows a
learning disabled student to
participate in general
education classes.

8. AT for the Physically Impaired
 Wheelchair, crutches, braces – provides stability for self-
mobility
 Reacher/grabber – tool used to access objects out of reach
 Alternative keyboards, tracker balls, or joysticks, allow for
computer manipulation other than traditional 10 fingers
 Mouth Stick – tool manipulated with the mouth used to
control electronic devices
 Arm wraps – connects writing devices to arm or hand for
usage
 Speech recognition programs – voice activated commands
eliminate use of hands for technology or activities
High tech tools, such as this
oversized pictured keyboard,
allows a physically impaired
student to participate in
general education classes

9. References
 CATEA - Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Assess. (2010). Retrieved March 23, 2015 from
http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw060109
 Edyburn, D. L. (2009). Response to intervention (RTI): Is there a role for assistive technology? Special Education Technology Practice. Retrieved on
March 22, 2015 from http://www.cesa1.k12wi.us/cms_files/resources/EdyburnHandout.pdf
 Mittler, J. (2007). Assistive technology and IDEA. In C. Warger (Ed.), Technology integration: Providing access to the curriculum for students with
disabilities. Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division (TAM)
 Nebylov, A. V., Johnson, M. A. & Hersh, M. A. Assistive Technology for the Hearing-impaired, deaf and blind. Retrieved from
http://atwiki.assistivetech.net/index.php/assistive_technology
 Relton, J. (January 2005). Policy issues. The Assistive Technology Act of 2004. Volume 6 (Number 1). Retrieved March 23, 2015 from
http://www.afb.org/afpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw060109