ASSISTIVE/ADAPTIVE

TECHNOLOGY
BY: SIDNEY BYRD

WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?

Assistive technology refers to any equipment, modification, or
accommodation that can improve a persons capacity to learn
Examples of Assistive Technologies in the classroom:
Text-to-Voice
Talking Calculators
Word Prediction Software
Abbreviation Expanders
Alternative keyboard/mouse
Audio Books

WHO RECEIVES ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?

11% of children from age 6-14 have some form of disability
Students with disabilities or special needs are protected by the
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
This act requires schools to accommodate students with disabilities to have
an equal opportunity to participate and benefit from the general curriculum

Students with disabilities usually have a IEP (Individualized

Educational Program)
This program may give specific technologies that are to be used in a
students learning environment

WHO DOES THIS HELP?

A deaf student can use a teletypewriter (TTY) or Telecommunication
Devices for the Deaf (TDD)
A newer tool is the Sorenson Video Relay Service (VRS), this allows
the student to use a interpreter to translate voice and sign
communication
Visual impaired students with only slight impairments can enlarge
the text
Blind students can use a Screen Reader, this changes text to voice
Assistive technologies help students with many different disabilities

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN ACTION:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcUNnnwFm4g

WHAT ARE THE SOFTWARE THAT CAN BE

USED?
Speech Synthesis Software: allows students with speech disorders
to be involved in class discussions
In this software the students assigns shortcut keys to produce phrases

Speech-to-Text: this helps students that have learning challenges

capture their ideas and complete written projects
Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking types what the student is saying,
allowing them to take notes and write papers

Text-to-Speech: this will assist students that are struggling.

Kurzweil system can scan any text and be read aloud to the student

HOW CAN TABLETS BE BENEFICIAL IN THE

CLASSROOM?
Visually impaired students can adjust the text size and zoom on a tablet
These tablets also have text-to-speech, voice command, auto text, and
video chat. These features can help with vision or hearing disabilities.
Tablets also make it easier for special needs students to develop their
fine motor skills.
The tablet offers them more control and also make it easier to write.
The use of tablets also allow the students to be able to take their
learning home with them.

WHAT ARE WAYS TO USE ASSISTIVE

TECHNOLOGY TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN?

Assistive technology can be used for many different

disabilities

Dyslexia can be helped by using a concept map of the story on the

Smart Board
Cerebral Palsy can be assisted with a special keyboard with large
navigation keys so the student is capable of navigating to websites
or videos
There are many different uses for assistive technology for all
different kinds of disabilities.

HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY BE INTEGRATED

INTO SPECIAL NEEDS CURRICULUM?
Integration activities for students with special needs enhances
the learning for the students, some activities to do are:
Graphic organizing tools Create flowchart to plan activities

Digital video editing software Create video clips to share experiences

Digital media tools Author multimedia books to retell story

Database Tools Collect and organize information such as a Zoo Animal database

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Gunter, Glenda A., and Randolph E. Gunter. Teachers Discovering

Cengage Learning, 2015. Print.

Computers. Eighth ed. Boston:

"Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: 25 Incredible Assistive Technologies." Lisa

Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: 25
Incredible Assistive Technologies. N.p., n.d.
Web. 31 Jan. 2016.