Accessing Reading

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Accessing Reading

• Presented by Stephanie Ray and Julia Walker

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What Every Teacher Should Know About Assistive
Technology

• Region VII Center for Assistive Technology

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What is Assistive Technology?

• Assistive Technology device means 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 the functional capabilities of a child
  with a disability. (Authority 20U.S.C. 140(1))

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What is Assistive Technology?

• Assistive technology service means any service
  that directly assists a child with a disability
  in the selection, acquisition, or use of an
  assistive technology device, software, or
  strategy.

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Types of AT Devices

• Dedicated Communication Device
• Computer/Laptop
• Software
• Communication Boards
• Switches
• Specialized Keyboards
• Page Ups
• Amplification Systems

• Highlighters
• Pencil Grips
• Post-It Notes
• Calculators
• Specialized Pencils
• Color Filters
• Special Paper
• Special Rulers
• Fidgets
• Slate Boards
• Toys

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Types of AT Services

• Evaluations
• Screenings
• Observations
• Purchasing
• Leasing
• Selecting
• Designing
• Customizing
• Maintaining

• Adapting
• Coordinating
• Training
• Teacher
• Child
• Parent
• Support Staff
• Peer Group
• Technical support
• Awareness

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Who Can Benefit from AT?

• Anyone who has limitations due to
• Disability
• Accident
• Disease
• Aging
• that impacts their ability to perform
• basic life functions such as learning,
• hearing, seeing, and mobility.

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How Do I Know if Someone Needs AT?

• Demonstrated through repeated difficulties or
  failure to complete a task.
• Failure to make progress on IEP goals and
  objectives.
• Observable disability such as inability to write,
  read, walk, and/or communicate.

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Why Is AT Helpful?

• Following the identification of an appropriate
  assistive technology device/strategy, acquisition
  of the device/implementation of the strategy,
  training and support in its use, a person is
  subsequently able to complete the same task that
  was previously difficult, time consuming, and in
  some cases impossible.

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Why Assistive Technology?

• Assistive Technology devices, strategies, and
  services enhance the performance of students with
  disabilities by enabling them to complete tasks
  more effectively, efficiently, and independently
  than otherwise possible (Edyburn, 2000).

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What Does AT Look Like?

• Low Tech
• Lottie Kits
• Mid Tech
• Switches
• Static Communication Devices
• High Tech
• Computers/Laptops
• Dynamic Displays

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How Can It Be Used?

• Communication
• Writing
• Computer Access
• Math
• Reading
• Mobility
• Positioning
• Eating

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What Does a Teacher Need to Know About AT?

• Awareness
• Ability to recognize performance problems
• Knowledge of legal and policy mandates
• Differentiate between AT devices and services
• Hands-on experience
• Knowledge of processes and procedures for
  accessing AT devices, services, resources, and
  expertise

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AT, UDL, and Instructional Technology How Do I
Tell the Difference?

• Remediation
• Additional instruction and training
• Compensation
• Using technology to help the student overcome
  difficulties and complete a task.
• AT compensates for the disability.

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AT, UDL, and Instructional Technology How Do I
Tell the Difference?

• AT is child specific.
• UDL is for every student.
• Instructional technology teaches an academic
  skill such as reading.
• AT must be used in order for the child to access
  the general ed. curriculum independently.

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Book Adaption

• Symbol Associations/simplified book content
  (Boardmaker)-learning disabled
• Texture adaptations-visually impaired
• Page turners physically impaired

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Comprehension Activities

• Puppets
• Communication Folders/Boards

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Electronic Book Adaptations

• Baggy Books
• Powerpoint/electronic reader (Kurzweil)
• Writing With Symbols Story
• Pocket Mod. Books

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Questions and Evaluations