1. Teaching Students with Disabilities with Assistive Technology

2. What is Assistive Technology? A generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities Process used in selecting, locating, and using them Technology designed to be utilized in an assistive technology device or assistive technology service

3. Benefits of Assistive Technology Easier for young children with disabilities to participate in day-to-day activities. Promotes greater independence Enables people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish

4. Individualized Education Plan (IEPs) Special services for students with disabilities Provide individualized education programs in public schools Free of charge to families Describes the goals the team sets for a child during the school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them.

5. Disabilities that need IEPs Learning disabilities Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Emotional disorders Mental retardation Autism Hearing impairment Visual impairment Speech or language impairment Development delay

6. ADHD Issues Hyperactive Trouble focusing Anxious and excited Disorderly at times Solutions Hands-on activities to keep students engaged Breakdown assignments Limit distractions Teach good study skills Utilize technology to involve students

7. Auditory Disabilities Issues Lack of engagement in the classroom Limits social involvement and engagement Not able to comprehend classroom lesson and instruction Solutions Have students hearing tested Utilize ALD’s (Alternative Listening Devices) Personal frequency modulation system Infrared systems Induction loops systems One-to-one communicators Visual systems

8. Reading and Writing Disabilities Issues Blindness of students Limited vision Unable to participate in classroom activities Physical disabilities limiting ability to write Solutions Magnification aids Large print books Audio books Palm devices Talking word processing software Braille software and print books

9. References Wikipedia: Assistive Technology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology LD Online: Help for Young Learners: How To Choose AT? http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088 Kids Help: Individualized Education Plans http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html American Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm Assistive Technology for Struggling Readers http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/AT_Devices_to_Support_Reading.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6430622907ED6387EFF83C5F2F5DEB61663F1F60267BFC9BF&Type=D