001+Assistive+Technology

Technology has become a key part in our society today. Technology is used in order to make life easier in many ways. If we use technology to shop and blog, then why wouldn’t we use it to help a student succeed in school and make an impact on their life for the better?

Over the past decade, students that suffer from disabilities and handicaps have been granted the opportunity to use technology in a classroom. This technology is referred to as Assistive Technology or AT. Assistive Technology is defined as, “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 functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (Behrman, 1998). Many teachers have consistently worked to provide alternate ways of learning for students who learn in different ways. Teachers have many ways of accommodating students with disabilities, and it is their job to foster an environment that conveys positive learning even if it means providing them with some piece of technology that helps them successfully move on to higher education. When Assistive Technology is integrated into a classroom appropriately, students are provided with multiple means to complete their work and focus on achieving their academic standards.

There are many different types of assistive technology, but specifically AT has two specific types high and low. “High” AT would be considered things that are very high tech such as computers, software, and any kind of electronic equipment (Behrman, 1998). The other type of AT technology is “low.” Low AT is anything that is not electronic but something much simpler. Examples of low AT are pencil grips and mouth sticks (Behrman, 1998). Having technology in the classroom is not only beneficial to students, but it also benefits the teacher in helping them better instruct the individual with a disability. Low and High AT help teachers better instruct students suffering from disabilities by catering to their different learning styles. A way to do this is the teacher is able to teach through computer-based instruction, which provides immediate feedback and can increase motivation among the student. Some students can become frustrated with simple assignments very easily, but that is an advantage of using assistive technology in a classroom especially high AT. Special software can help students manage their behavior and expressions with less fatigue, frustration, and misunderstandings (Torreno, 2010). Students who use things like computers and special software benefit other students in that classroom as well. The other students will not be distracted by a student with disabilities and are able to be fully integrated in classroom activities (Torreno, 2010).

Another of the major benefits of AT is that it allows children with disabilities to become more independent (Raskind, 2010). Many children with disabilities rely on their family, peers and teachers, which causes problems if they have to work individually. AT can allow students to be successful individually, which causes higher self-esteem and a greater sense of independence (Raskind, 2010). The increased independence and self-esteem can have a huge impact of a child’s confidence, and that can lead to better performance in school and in life in general.

Many students have the misfortune of suffering from some sort of disability. These disabilities can range anywhere from problems with vision, to students who suffer from learning disabilities. Students who suffer from vision problems are granted the opportunity to use things such as eyeglasses, books on tape, and even books with larger print (Assistive, 2002). Communication problems can also cause a student to not perform up to par, so some of the options they have are text to voice, voice to text software, touch screens, and even writing guides (Assistive, 2002). Many disabilities among students are physical, but there are also students, who are not physically unable to do something, but have learning disabilities and may need extra help and attention while trying to complete a task. Examples of technology that could benefit a student with a learning disability are highlighted tape, handheld computers, and graphic organizer software (Assistive, 2002). Along with the technology that has already been mentioned, there have been many new innovations created over the past couple of years. One of the most common AT pieces found in a mathematics class is the talking calculator. This calculator recites back any numbers, symbols, or functions as keys are pressed. The calculator can also read back answers to problems that have been completed (Assistive technology help, 2005). Technology has come a long way and benefits every aspect of society. One of the biggest benefits of technology is the ability to help students with disabilities excel to their full potential in their academics. Many students who do suffer from disabilities have succeeded in their studies thanks to the aide of technologies in the classroom.

Assistive Technology is wonderful innovations that have helped students who struggle due to disabilities succeed in the classroom and with everyday tasks. The different types of technology can range from things as simple as pencil grips or as advanced as software that can relay messages to your instructor. Whatever AT is being used, it has a sole purpose of providing the most efficient way for a student with a disability to get school work done and be a successful in their academics.

// Assistive technology help all kids learn //. (2005, August 09). Retrieved from []

//Assistive technology to meet k–12 student needs //. (2002). Retrieved from []

Behrmann, M. (1998, May 1). //Assistive technology for young children in special education: it makes a difference //. Retrieved from [|http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-young-children- special-education]

 Raskind, M. (2010, February). //Assistive technology for kids with ld: and overview//. Retrieved from [] technology/assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an- overview.gs?content=702&page=all

Torreno, S. (2010, June 09). //The benefits of assistive technology in schools//. Retrieved from [] media type="custom" key="9202728"media type="custom" key="9202542"media type="custom" key="8974188"

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__**Devices**__ The article "Assistive Technology to meet K-12 Student Needs" summarized many of the new technologies developed to help create a better learning envrionment for students with disabilities. Some of the disabilities that are categorized within this article are: vision problems, communication problems, hearing problems, and those with learning disabilities. (Daniel Miller) Vision Problems:

Communication Problems: Hearing Problems: Learning Disabilities:
 * Eye Glasses
 * Books on Tape
 * Large Print Books
 * text to voice, voice to text software
 * touch screens
 * writing guides
 * hearing aides
 * signaling devices
 * headphones
 * highlighting tape
 * handheld computers
 * graphic organizer software

//Assistive technology to meet k–12 student needs//. (2002). Retrieved from []

Assistive technology is defined as any item, piece of equipment, or system of products that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Adaptive technology aids users by adapting content or user responses into a medium appropriate for the user. For example, screen readers "adapt" conventional text by converting it into content spoken by a synthetic voice, thereby making standard text accessible to blind students. Assistive and adaptive technology tools enables //all// students to become active participants in the general classroom environment. New technology innovations include: These newer technologies are joined by other long-standing and effective tools: [] Assistive Technology in schools does not only benefit students with disabilities. Teachers can better instruct students with different learning styles through computer-based instruction, which provides immediate feedback and can increase motivation. Special software can assist students in managing behavior and expressing themselves with less fatigue, frustration, and misunderstanding. More independence for individual students gives teachers more time with other students and with group activities. Other students also benefit since students using assistive technology are more fully integrated in classroom activities and cause fewer distractions. Seeing students using assistive technology effectively also provides a positive educational experience and prepares students for future interactions with individuals with disabilities. (Marc Reading) [] __**What is Assistive Technology?**__ The next article that I analyzed was "Assistive Technology for Young Children In Special Education: It Makes a Difference." The article talks about what actually assistive technology means. According to the article 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 functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities" (Behrmann, 1998). Assitive technology devices are categorized as high tech and low tech learning devices. An example of a low tech AT is pencil grips and possible mouth sticks. An example of a high tech AT is electronic equipment, software, and/or computers. Teachers have to keep children with learning disabilities on a positive track, and having AT's may help the student learn on their level helping them reach success. (Daniel Miller)
 * Speech Recognition ("Voice Recognition") Systems allow students to control their computer by simply speaking.
 * Personal Reading Machines scan a printed page and instantaneously read the page out loud.
 * Talking Calculators recite numbers, symbols or functions as keys are pressed. They also can read back answers to completed problems.
 * Video Description: Just as captioning provides additional text for the hearing impaired, an additional narrative track describing the on-screen action in videos enable blind and low-vision students to participate.
 * Large Print/Screen Magnification Hardware and Software function like magnifying glasses, automatically moving over a page. That allows visually impaired students to more easily read textbooks, magazines, maps, charts or fine print.
 * Assistive Listening Devices transmit and amplify sounds to hearing impaired students. Students who experience difficulty processing auditory information might also benefit from using those devices.
 * Captioning displays text transcription of auditory information on a screen (such as a television screen or LCD). Captioning allows hearing-impaired viewers to follow spoken dialogue or narration by reading text. (Marc Reading)

Behrmann, M. (1998, May 1). //Assistive technology for young children in special education: it makes a difference//. Retrieved from []

Many teachers have consistently worked to provide alternative ways of learning for students who learn in different ways. The impact of technology on education has been profound. Computers have become an essential literacy tool in our society. When assistive technology is appropriately integrated into the classroom, students are provided with multiple means to complete their work and focus on achieving academic standards. Assistive technology (AT) is any tool that helps students with disabilities do things more quickly, easily or independently. It can be elaborate and expensive or simple and low-cost. Assistive technology services are supports for using assistive technology devices, such as assistive technology evaluations, equipment maintenance, technical assistance, demonstration or training. (Marc Reading) []

__**Specific Needs**__ The last article I analyzed was geared to a more specific disability commonly found in a school. In the article " Assistive Technology for Children with Autism." Once again this article names a few different AT's, but they get more specific because these devices will be more appropriate for children who are autistic. One particular kind of software, Broadmaker, offers over 3,000 Picture Communication Symbol (PCS) library that can make any picture or symbol any size in order to help the child learn more effectively. This system can also use many of the pictures to create schedules, games, reading activities, and also various academic activities. There are many other softwares just like the PCS that are available to assist children who suffer from autism and help create the most ideal learning environment for them. (Daniel Miller)

Stokes, S. (n.d.). //Assistive technology for children with autism//. Retrieved from []