Assistive+Technology+in+the+classroom

Definition Assistive technology is technology that is used by individuals with disabilities to perform functions that they would not necessarily be able to do without the technology.

Overview

Assistive technology (AT) is used both within the school setting and outside the school setting to enable people with disabilities to perform functions that are inhibited by their disability. When it is used within the classroom, it must be in a student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and provided by the school. It can be as simple as pencil grips that help improve a student's writing if they have poor motor skills, or even help the student with mobility issues. Assistive technology can be computer software, hearing aides, or other simple technologies that help a student perform a task.

Resources  [|My Child without Limits] This website has information on assistive technology and how it is determined what types should be included in IEP as well as examples of assistive technology.

Assistive Technology in the Classroom This website provides information on different AT that children can use, as well as how it is selected and the purpose of different AT that are available.

[|The Power of Assistive Technology] This website provides an overview of assistive technology and its uses within the classroom.

[|Assistive Technology and Learning Disabilities] This article provides and overview of high tech and low tech tools for students and teachers with a focus on literacy and available math tools.

[|The National Center to Improve Practice] The NCIP Library has a wealth of information about technology, disabilities, practice, and implementation. They also offer an outstanding series of video profiles that vividly illustrate how students with differing disabilities use a range of assistive and instructional technologies to improve their learning.

Tools for Students with Disabilities This wiki space is a great resource for information and tools regarding assistive technology and students with disabilities. It also gives a "Free Technology Tool kit" of resources for for educators to click on and use in their classrooms. This is the wiki that was made by the same people who made the video given below.

Articles

[|How Assistive Technology Enhances Learning] This article gives examples of assistive technology that can be used to help students with disabilities. It also gives specific success stories of students who thrive in the classroom with the help of such tools previously listed.

[|Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities] This article focuses mainly on children with learning disabilities and is a great resource for finding tools to help them succeed in the classroom. It starts by giving a synopsis of the benefits of assistive technology and the areas or problems of education that assistive technology helps (Math, listening, reading, writing, organizing and memory). Finally, it gives a clickable list of assistive tools for children who need help in these areas of school.

Books

[|Keep It Simple] This book is a basic tutorial for teachers about anything they may need to know about assistive technology for their students with disabilities. It also gives information about free or inexpensive software for teachers to utilize in the classroom as well.

[|Assistive Technology] This book gives a plethora of information on assistive technology in the classroom for students with disabilities. Although it focuses much of its attention on communication disorders, it also gives the reader detailed knowledge on many other disabilities which can hinder students' successes in education. This book suggests multiple examples and strategies for teachers to implement immediately into their classrooms.

Videos

[|Statistically Speaking]
This video is interesting because it begins by giving statistics about students with disabilities in the classroom and on state wide exams. Then it gives examples of how assistive technology can help students with disabilities to succeed in the many environments of education.

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[|**Assistive Technology: A Life Line**] This video gives the viewer a glimpse of how valuable assistive technology is for students with disabilities. It starts off by saying that for most students, technology is a fast and easy way to find information and keep in touch with friends; for students with disabilities it is a lifeline and their only means to succeed in education.

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__** Ellen--Using Assistive Technology **__ In this video you meet a girl named Ellen who uses communication assistive aide to help her communicate. The video demonstrates how she uses them as well as discusses the different types of  communication   aides she uses.

Blogs

[|What is Assistive Technology?] This is a blog on assistive technology, the author describes how assistive technology has impacted the lives of people with disabilities as well we prejudices that need to be overcome when thinking about a person with a disability.

[|New Developments in Assistive Technology] This blog was made specifically to talk about issues and new developments with assistive technology, and it was made by the Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at VCU.