Assistive Technology Paper

Cassidy Culligan

ED 505

Assistive Technology Paper

            Assistive technology is a way for students with mild disabilities to students who are gifted and talented to perform in school. These students are able to communicate better, perform academic tasks, participate in social and extracurricular activities, move or travel around the school, use proper seating and positioning, and access materials. With these assistive technology websites and software, the students are able to go to school normal and participate in class with all of their peers.

            Mild disabilities are the most prevalent disabilities that a person can have. These include learning disabilities, serious emotional disabilities, and mental retardation. They have trouble with reading, writing, and retaining information. For reading, they can use reading skill software, text-to-speech products, and interactive storybooks. These activities are to help develop higher level thinking skills that are more creative. Cast eReader, Fast Forward, and Simon Sounds it out are some websites that help students with mild disabilities. There are also apps on the iPad such as Speak It! All of this software helps students listen to information that they cannot read.

            Students with moderate to severe disabilities are looked after to ensure that they have acquired the necessary daily living skills. There is software and websites that will help them learn functional skills such as time management and how to manage money. There is an iPad application called Time, Money, and Functions on-Track that will really be beneficial for these students. They can also use alternative keyboards that will enlarge the keys and make more space for students to press a key like Intellikeys. The website Ablenet, Inc also helps assist teachers in integrating the assistive technology into instruction.

            A student with physical disabilities affects their mobility and agility. Their difficulties involve gross or fine-motor movements. To help power their wheelchairs, they can use a device called a joystick, which is a handle that moves in all directions. Switches can be used as an alternative to a typical keyboard and are commonly used for controlling and getting input to the computer. ORCCA Technology, Intellitools, and Adaptivation, Inc  are all websites that can be used to help with a student that has physical disabilities. Teachers should make sure that they are provided with the best placement of adaptive technologies so they can operate them on their own.

            Students with sensory disabilities can be hearing impaired or deaf and visually impaired or blind. If a student is blind they can use text-to-braile converters such as Scan and read Software. They can also have screen readers like yourdolphin.com and Visioncue. There is also an app called TextGrabber. For the visually impaired, closed-circuit television magnification systems are perfect to help them read. These systems are mounted on a frame with a television monitor. Built in computer screen magnification panels to magnify everything can also be used. Students that are hearing impaired or deaf can be given fm amplification systems like Autoenhancemet or Telesensory. Teacher can wear a microphone and the student wears the earpiece so the teachers voice is magnified.

            At-risk students for failing are not technically considered disabled by the federal definition. These students need to have websites that provide powerful and motivating opportunities to engage in learning activities such as brainpop and donjohnston.com. At-risk students have trouble remembering and can use software called JOBCoach and they also have the inability to read and comprehend at their grade level and can use software called ReadPlease. These students need to make sure they are motivated often and always engaged in interesting activities.

            Students who are considered gifted and talented are students who give high evidence of achievement who need services not usually provided by school. They need programs that give them challenges and that also provide them with tools that engage in self-directed research. Programs like the Duke TIP program and the Hoagies Gifted Education Page are perfect for students that are gifted. These students do not need to get bored with their studies and teachers need to make sure they are always challenging them to peek to their highest performance.