The Individual with Disabilites Education Act (IDEA, 1997 20 USC Ch. 33 Sec 1401) defines assistive technology devices as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off a shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability." I have listed below some of the most common assistive technology tools available to classroom teachers to ensure that every student in the classroom has equal access and inclusion in the learning process. Some of these tools are considered "low" tech and some are "high" tech:
For Visual Disabilities:
1. Eyeglasses
2. Large Print Books
3. Audio Books
4. Braille Stylus
5. Braille Writer
6. Braille Printers
7. Speech output or feedback computers and
8. Screen Readers
For hearing disabilities:
1. Hearing Aids
2. Headphones (to keep listener on focused and on task)
3. TDD/TYY phone devices
4. Real time captioning
5.Assistive listening devices
6. Phonic ear
7. Vibrotactile switch
8. Communication boards
For Access:
1. Adapted common tools (like big pencils)
2. T bar to assist with typing
3. Adaptive mouse
4. Mouth stick to press keys on the keyboard
5. Switches
6. Head Pointers
7. Foot Pedals
8. Onscreen keyboards
These lists are not intended to include all of the wide range of assistive devices, but rather the show the wealth of tools that are available to classroom teachers to ensure inclusion of all students in the educational process. It also shows that while the use of many devices is prohibitive due to their cost, there may be other tools that can be used instead. Also many teachers have been able to modify or adapt other devices for use in the classroom. For more information on the wealth of assistive technology tools available to classroom teachers, see:
http://www.abledata.com/
Your post is a great resource. I'm glad you included some low tech items because I think many people may have the assumption that assistive technology must be complicated and high tech, but it doesn't. I had one students with sensory and body awareness issues. He was a very large second grader that needed to constantly push on things in order to function (which resulted in many broken desks). We found a weighted vest for him and it made all the difference! I also learned that he could pay focus and comprehend better when he was moving, so I let him walk around the room carrying heavy books while we were doing lessons, and that actually helped, too. With the crazy costs of assistive technology, teachers and parents may need to get creative.
ReplyDeleteValerie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jamie regarding your post. Many times teachers, myself included often do not utililze or think of the low tech items that you listed. Jamie, I agree with you about how a weighted vest can make a world of difference for some students. We have students that use the weighted vest to calm down and transition back to classwork after having a "meltdown". Many teachers do not realise how valuable the vest or ability to walk around the room with heavy items is to help maintain their classroom management and sanity.
Jaime and Chad,
ReplyDeleteI am not a teacher, but I worked to ensure that students with disabilities got what they were entitled to under IDEA and other laws. Many times, beccause of budget shortfalls, the school system would not get the technology tool that the student needed until a hearing officer mandated them to do so. Lots of times, the school would hear the words "assistive technology" and think that it was an item that was extremely expensive. I wanted to dispel that notion, that's why I did that post. Thanks for your comments, your "real world" examples helped illustrate my point very well.