Assistive Technology in the Classroom

1

• Assistive Technology in the
  Classroom

2

• Session 2
• Overview of Assistive Technology

3
Presentation Agenda

• Definition of Assistive Technology
• Student Examples
• Categories of Assistive Technology
• AT Support from SET-BC
• AT Online Resources

4
Assistive Technology

• Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether
  acquired commercially, modified, or customized
  that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or
  improve functional capabilities of individuals
  with disabilities.
• Examples adapted mouse, switch, screen
  magnifier, SGD, text reader, F/M system

5
IDEA

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• United States legislation amended in 2004 to
  IDEIA
• School districts, by law, MUST provide assistive
  technology to any student having a classified
  disability
• Result of legislation significant amount of AT
  development in North America
• Currently no analogous legislation in Canada
• Levels of AT service provision and support vary
  widely between provinces

6
Think about this

• Do you think we need this type of legislation in
  Canada?
• What do you think the various implications might
  be if it were put in place?
• Would it make your job easier or more
  challenging?

7
Jelissa

• Very capable visually impaired high school
  student
• Dual medium user braille and large print
• JAWS, Magic, Kurzweil 1000, Accessible Graphing
  Calculator,
  Braillenote 32

8
John

• Grade 12 student with acquired quadriplegia
• Gifted video maker completed regular program
• Accesses laptop and software
  using Jouse joystick and
  on-screen keyboard
• Also uses voice recognition and Kurzweil
  3000 for reading and
  writing

9
Shannon

• 15 year old student with multiple physical and
  communication challenges
• Uses jellybean switch to access her Step-by-Step
  communication device and Intelliswitch to connect
  to her laptop
• Just starting to use
  Speaking Dynamically Pro

10
Bryce

• Struggles with reading and writing
• Uses a Macintosh desktop with Clicker 5 to
  develop his literacy and numeracy skills
• Now able to count, play games with peers, read
  story books to others
• Really enjoys the technology
• Learn more about Bryce

11
Jonathan

• Non-verbal Cerebral Palsy
• High functioning
• Uses direct selection on Pathfinder and uses not
  only for communication
  but as his cell phone!

12
Travis

• Learning disability affecting his reading and
  writing
• Uses laptop with Kurzweil 3000
  and Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Independent technology user
• Has discovered the joy of
  reading!

13
Watch this

• Now that youve heard about some examples of
  students using assistive technology successfully,
  check out a video of a young girl using a
  joystick, switch and onscreen keyboard to write.
• Me and My Computer (Elina) (414 min)
• See if you can figure out how she is
  able to write on the computer

14

• Break Time!

15
AT Categories

• Communication aids
• Computer access aids
• Daily living aids
• Education and learning aids
• Environmental aids
• Hearing and listening aids
• Mobility and transportation aids
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Vision and reading aids

16
SET-BC AT Categories

• Physical Access technologies
• Intellectual Access technologies
• Vision technologies
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
  technologies

17
Physical Access Technologies

• Computing Devices and Software Options
• Switches and Scanning Options
• Alternate Keyboard Options
• Pointing Device Options

18
Intellectual Access Technologies

• Literacy and Numeracy Software
• Kurzweil 3000, Clicker 5, Classroom Suite 4, SOLO
• Organizational Software
• Inspiration, Kidspiration, DraftBuilder
• Cognitive Support Technologies
• Pocket Endeavour Suite / PDA
• iPrompts on iPod

19
Vision Technologies

• Low Vision
• Screen magnifiers, talking word processors, text
  readers, CCTV, room viewers
• Blind
• Screen readers, braille translation software,
  notetakers, embossers

20
Augmentative and Alternate Communication
Technologies (AAC)

• Communication Software
• Boardmaker/Plus/SDP, Picture It!, Gus
• Communication Hardware
• Single message devices
• Multiple message devices
• Dynamic display devices
• Icon sequencing devices
• Text to speech devices

21

• Break Time!

22
Session 2 Discussion Forum

• Starting your AT Implementation Plan
• In your small group
• Read the student profile
• Discuss the questions
• Decide what category of assistive technology the
  student needs

23
SET-BC

• Special Education Technology British Columbia
• www.setbc.org

• Mandate
• To provide support to public and
  recognized independent school
  based teams implementing assistive
  technology with students with physical
  disabilities, intellectual disabilities, visual
  impairments or communication disorders including
  autism.

24
SET-BC Service Delivery Model

• Pre-request consultation
• Request for Service
• Collaborative Action Plan (CAP)
• Selection and delivery of technology
• School based team training
• Implementation and transition support
• Technical support and equipment maintenance

25
Session 2 Activity

• Spend 10 minutes exploring the SET-BC site
  (http//www.setbc.org)
• Visit the Service Delivery area to learn about
  the SET-BC process
• Visit the Learning Centre to learn about the many
  support resources for helping you learn about
  assistive technology

26
AT Online Resources

• Search assistive technology
• Search individual technologies (e.g. Dana)
• Search individual disabilities (e.g. autism)
• Search AT vendors (e.g. Mayer Johnson)
• Search AT leaders (e.g. Linda Burkhart)

27

• Session Summary Activity

• Link to Session 2 Summary Activity
• Session 1 Summary Activity
• Will be emailed to you after this session!

28

• Any Questions?

• How are you feeling?