Part 1: Introduction to Assistive Technology

Intro to AT

The web is a dynamic and changing environment. Sites and URLs listed in this workshop can change names, move to another location, or just disappear.

If you attempt to go to a site and it is not there:1. Check first that you have entered the address correctly. Any error, an extra space, a

capitalized or lower case letter will lead you to a dead-end. Check carefully and try again.

2. Wait a few moments and try the site again. Sometimes the internet is busy and it will work fine in awhile.

3. Try using a search engine to find the site. Enter the name, not the URL of the site you are looking for.

4. Trim the URL by eliminating parts of the address from the right end back. Remove elements one step at a time from each slash (/…/).

5. Try the Wayback Machine (www.archive.org).

6. If you need to use steps 3 – 5, notify the instructor whether you find the site or not

Laws and AT

Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988– Know as Tech Act of 1988 (PL 100-407)

• Provided funding for states to develop consumer information and training programs.

Telecommunications Act of 1996• Opened doors to connect all classrooms to the

internet. Guidelines related to the act required accessibility, usability and compatibility.

Laws and AT (cont)

Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Act of 1998– Provides access to career and technical education for

students with disabilities and the purchase of equipment. Assistive Tech Act of 1998 (105-394)

• Supported programs and grants to states to address technology needs of individuals with disabilities.

Assistive Technology Act of 2004 (108-364)• Redirected funding to individuals by providing direct aid to

individuals with disabilities.• http://www.ataporg.org

Laws and AT (cont)

Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (94-142)

• FAPE and IEP

IDEA (101-476) • Transition plan was added. AT devices must be

considered.

IDEA of 1997 (105-17)

Laws and AT (cont)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (108-446)

• Specifically excluded medical devices.

• http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html

• http://idea.ed.gov/

ADA (101-336) • http://www.ada.gov

What is Assistive Technology

A device or service that can be used as a tool by a person

with a disability to achieve or maintain function.

Can also be a service

PL 100-407

Assistive Technology Device - 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.

What is Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology Service - Any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device.

This may include:

•Evaluation of the needs

•Purchasing, leasing or providing the device

•Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing or replacing of devices

•coordinating and using therapies, intervention or services with the technology

•Training or assistance to the person with the disability

•Training or assistance for professionals

Assistive Technology includes high and low tech. – High tech = complex, electronic and electrical

devices such as computers, augmentative communication boards and environmental control systems.

– Low tech - simple inventions such as custom designed hand tools, workstation modifications and simple, easier to use, less expensive devices.

Low and Semi Low Tech

Independent Living Aidshttp://www.independentliving.com/  MaxiAids.comhttp://www.maxiaids.com/  FirsStreethttp://www.firststreetonline.com/category.jsp?id=44674  Disability Productshttp://www.disabilityproducts.com/cgi-bin/disabilityproducts.cgi  Active Foreverhttp://www.activeforever.com/

Universal Design

Term first used in 1970s by architect Ronald Mace to refer to designing structures to avoid common barriers to people in wheelchairs. Term is now used to refer to product features that would enhance the operation of a device by individuals with disabilities.

. §300.308 Assistive technology

(a) Each public agency shall ensure that assistive technology devices or assistive technology services, or both, as those terms are defined in §§300.5-300.6, are made available to a child with a

disability if required as a part of the child's -

(1) Special education under §300.26;

(2) Related services under §300.24; or (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(12)(B)(i))

. §300.308 Assistive technology

(3) Supplementary aids and services under §§300.28 and 300.550(b)(2).

(b) On a case-by-case basis, the use of school-purchased assistive technology devices in a child's

home or in other settings is required if the child's IEP team determines that the child needs access to

those devices in order to receive FAPE.

Steps in Fundamental Assessment Process

– Intake and Referral• Personal Information• Medical history• Insurance

– Identification of Needs• Look at every day activities

– Identification of Desired Outcomes• Show how the technology will improve the individual’s quality of life

– Develop Team– Complete a Skills Assessment– Procure Device– Implement Technology and Train– Follow Up

Assistive Technology

Teams must “consider” what assistive technology students need.– Each team needs one member who is knowledgeable about the range of

options• What task is it that we want this student to do that s/he is unable to do at a

level that reflects his/her skills/abilities?

• Is the student currently able to complete tasks with special strategies or accommodations?

• Is there available assistive technology that could be used to address this task?

• Would the use of A./T. help the student perform the skill?

The view of Assistive Technology assessment has changed in the following ways:– It is ongoing

– It is completed by a local team in the natural setting

The team should have members who are:– knowledgeable about the student

– knowledgeable about the curriculum

– knowledgeable about language development

– knowledgeable about motor development As a process to organize decisions about assistive technology we can

use SETT Student Environment Task Tool strategy.

Tools for the Team

Check the WATI Assistive Technology Checklist– http://www.ideal-group.org/initiatives/access-tomorrow/AT_Checklist.pdf

Check Technology Toolbox from Computer Resources for People with Disabilities– http://www.warrennet.org/at/at%20toolbox/introduction.html

Review Closing the Gap Resource Directory – http://www.closingthegap.com/

Review the National Public Website on Technology– http://www.assistivetech.net/

Tech Assessment and Implementation Team

Tacoma School District– http://classrooms.tacoma.k12.wa.us/specialed/t

assistive/index.php

Funding of AT

Families and Advocates Partnerships for Education

http://www.fape.org/

Information bulletin outlining AT services and devices for infants and toddlers.

The Alliance for Technology Access

http://www.ataccess.org/resources/lowcostnocost/html

Guide to low-cost and no cost on-line tools for people with disabilities

Funding of AT (cont)

Other Sources of Funding

http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/at/funding-at.html

Handbook on funding AT

Alliance for Tech Access Centers

http://www.ataccess.org

http://www.ctcnet.org

ATA Centers

Funding of AT (cont)

Volunteer & Charitable Organizations

http://www.elks.org/lodges/default.cfm

http://www.easterseals.com

http://www.lionsclubs.org

Lions, Elks and Easter Seals provide support

Funding of AT (cont)

Disabled Children’s Relief Fund

http://dcrf.com/

Grant monies to obtain assistance

Funding Sources for Computers

http://www.givetech.org/assistance

Funds may be available from Give Tech for persons with severe disabilities

UDL Resources

Center for Universal Design

http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/

Promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities and related products.

Teaching Every Student

http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/

Supports educators in learning about and practicing UDL

UDL Resources (cont)

Toolkits for Teaching Every Studenthttp://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/toolkits/tk_introduction.cfm?tk_id=41

Toolkits help to understand and apply UDL principles in classrooms. Adapt to various learning styles.

UDL Planning for All Learnershttp://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/toolkits/tk_procedures.cfm?tk_id=21

Helps you select, assemble or create flexible learning materials and methods.

UDL Resources (cont)

National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS)

http://nimas.cast.org/

Guides the production and electronic distribution of digital versions of textbooks and other instructional materials so they can be converted to accessible formats.

Resources

Technology Integration

http://www.ct4me.net/technology_integration_resources.htm

Links to sites that have tutorials and information on assistive technology

Universal Design for Learning

•UUniversal Design – CAST–hhttp://www.cast.org/

•WWeb Review–hhttp://webxact.watchfire.com/

•TTemplates and Lesson Plan Builder–hhttp://lessonbuilder.cast.org/