1. Webquest Assistive
Technology
Nikki Gay
ITEC 7130

2. Overview
• This presentation will give a brief description of
assistive technologies.
• Please note that reference to individualized
education plan’s can also refer to accommodation
letters at the college level.

3. What is Assistive Technology?
• Assistive Technology was first introduced in the
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with
Disabilities Act (IDEA) in 1988. (NASET)
• Assistive Technology is “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. The
term does not include a medical device that is
surgically implanted, or the replacement of such
device” (U.S. Department of Education)

4. How to Choose Technology to
Use?
• IDEA provides guidelines for how to choose
assistive technology (Assistive Technology
Implementation Guidelines)
• Individualized Education Plans (IEP) are required be
IDEA for all students who qualify for special
education (Cennamo)
• This plan is built with a team of people and includes
the technologies to be used to assist the student

5. Types of Assistive Technology
Category Function/Uses Examples
Mobility and Ensure comfortable and Wheelchair
Positioning Aids effective solution for sitting, Walker
standing, resting or moving Stander
Cushions
Sensory Tools Assist people who are blind, Hearing Aids
visually impaired, or hearing Auditory Trainers
impaired Eyeglasses
Text-to-speech software
Daily Living Tools Increase independence and Adapted eating utensils
assist with performing functional Buttoner
living skills
Environmental Tools Assist people to manipulate Electronic systems which
their environments control access to lights,
appliances, television, etc.
Adapted from Cennamo Table 6.2

6. Types of Assistive Technology
Category Function/Uses Examples
Instructional Assist in education and Overhead transparencies
Tools instruction Audiotape players
Software
Internet Technology
Computer Assist with using the Adapted keyboards, mice, and
Access computer switches
Settings on computer
Alternative and Assist people who may have Speech synthesizers
Augmentative speech difficulties, are Text-to-speech software
Communication nonverbal, or have difficulty Telecommunication devices for the
Tools with oral communication deaf
Motivational Promote participation in Adapted sport equipment
Tools cultural events and leisure Special prosthetic devices
time activities for individuals Audio descriptions of movies
with disabilities Large print or Braille
Adapted from Cennamo Table 6.2

7. Students
• Three students with ADHD
• One with auditory disability
• Additional students with mild learning difficulties
affecting reading and writing

8. Assistive Technologies that
Can be Used
• Note the assistive technologies used would be
determined by an IEP team or Learning Disability
Services at a university. For the purpose of this
assignment I will be using resources found online
• Examples were found from the U.S. Department of
Education

9. Assistive Technologies that
Can be Used
• ADHD
• Evaluate individual needs and strengths
• Select appropriate practices
• Examples vary greatly by student need. Technologies used
can fall into these categories:
• Academic Instruction
• Using lecture slides to make instruction visual
• Clocks to help with time management
• Behavioral Intervention
• Give praise
• Remove nuisance items
• Classroom Accommodations
• Make sure chairs are good fit to help with fidgeting
• Pointers to keep attention on task

10. Assistive Technologies that
Can be Used
• Auditory Disability
• Presenting information visually (lecture slides)
• Class notes
• Seating near front of class
• Telecommunication devices

11. Assistive Technologies that
Can be Used
• Mild Learning Disabilities
• It is very difficult to determine AT without know the
individual student
• Examples could include writing assistance, note takers
and extended test time.

12. Conclusion
• I would like to close with the following quote from
Michael-Jermoe Behrmann and Marci Kinas
“Special educators are familiar with the need to create
or customize instructional materials to meet the varied
needs of students with disabilities. Today, assistive
technology can be more specifically targeted to
address an individual's needs through the emergent
power and flexibility of electronic tools and the ways in
which they are combined and used. These innovations
affect teaching and learning as well as individual
capabilities.”

13. References
Assistive Technology Implementation Guidelines (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.state.tn.us/education/speced/doc/21710atsupervisor.pdf
Behrmann, M.J, & Kinas, Marci. (2002) Assistive technology for students with mild
disabilites: Update 2002. Retrieved from http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-
1/assistive.htm
Cennamo, K.S., Ross, J. D., & Ertmer, P. A. (2010). Technology intergration for meaningful
classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
National Association of Special Education Teachers. (2006). Technology related
assistance for individuals with disabilities act. Retrieved from
http://www.naset.org/techassist2.0.html.
U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Sec. 300.5 Assistive technology device. Retrieved
from
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cregs%2C300%2CA%2C300%252E5%
2C
U.S. Department of Education. (2004). Teaching children with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder: Instructional strategies and practices. Retrieved from
http://www.ldonline.org/article/8797/