Assistive Technology

         Students can be classified as special education student based on their learning disabilities, special need(s) and/or gift or talent. Student disabilities are classified as: mild disabilities, moderate/severe disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, at risk disabilities, and gifts/talents.  These students may or may not need the use of assistive technology in order to enhance their educational needs to become successful learners.  Roblyer and Doering (2012) define assistive technology as “devices that extend the abilities of an individual in ways that provide physical access (i.e., wheelchairs, braces) and sensory access (i.e., Braille closed captioning)” (Roblyer & Doering, 2012).
            The integration of technology along with the use of assistive technology can greatly increase a special education student’s education and allow them to become just as successful as their classmate a successful. Mild disabilities are the most common type of disability that include “learning disabilities, serious emotional disabilities, and mental retardation” (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 406). These individuals often require some type of assistance to help remediate what is being taught. An example of a piece of hardware to enhance a student’s reading and communication skills is a text- to-speech product, such as the Quicktionary Reading Pen which will read words.  Illustrated stories can also be read to students from sites like http://www.magickeys.com/books.

Students with moderate/severe disabilities learning focuses on everyday living skills and tasks such as personal hygiene, shopping and the use of public transportation.   To help accommodate these individuals, alternative keyboards (Intellikeys) can be used in the classroom. These keyboards are more spacey and programmed to fit the needs of the individual. To help with problem solving and decision making, Juba (www.jubalearning.com) allows students to analyze and organize data using Venn Diagrams.

Students with physical disabilities often have problems with fine motor or gross movement. Motorized wheelchairs operated by a joystick and the use of switches are assistive technology tools that accommodate the need of students with physical disabilities.  OneSwitch (www.oneswitch.org.uk) contains various sites, blogs games, and ideas for DIY projects and other information helpful to students, parents and teacher to assist students with physical disabilities.

Sensory disabilities are impairments with loss of hearing or vision1 (p. 409). Students who are blind may use a screen readers such as JAWS to read text computer screen. Closed circuit television (CCTV) software enlarges text or alters contrast enabling partially sighted individuals access to printed materials; while amplification systems allow deaf individuals use of computers. 

Assistive technology is not specifically for students with disabilities. Students who are at risk of failure are not identified as having a learning disability, but assistive technology can provide these students with tools necessary to help them become successful. Virtual Math Manipulatives (www.mathplayground.com/math_manipulatives.html) are interactive tools to help concepts come alive. Prompting devices such as Job Coach (www.attainmentcompany.com) helps these students remember tasks.  Gifted or talented students need services or activities to develop their high achievement capabilities.  The Creativity Web (www.creativelearning.com) website helps gifted students develop  their process skills through distance-learning, while the use of iPads, iPods, and other technology tools that allow gifted students to showcase their extraordinary  knowledge and understanding.

Whether students are learning disabled or gifted assistive technology enables students to increase their learning, knowledge, independence and understanding providing them with the necessary skills to become lifelong learners. 

Reference

Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching 6th edition. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill Prentice Hall.

#assistivetechnology Change the Font Size of Messages on the iPhone to be More Readable http://t.co/ggjpL3aM5V via @osxdaily #ED5059413UWA
— ✏ReGina LaTrese (@ginalatrese) July 16, 2013