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According to the Assistive Technology
Industry Association (ATiA), “Assistive
technology is any item, piece of
equipment, software or product system that
is used to increase, maintain, or improve the
functional capabilities of individuals with
disabilities” (What is Assistive Technology?
How is it Funded?).
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9pK
kZoJDc
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“Technology has great potential in
providing access for all learners.
Through the use of a variety of
assistive technologies, students with
disabilities can have the ability to
access the general curriculum. When
assistive technology is appropriately
integrated into the regular classroom,
students are provided with multiple
means to complete their work” (FCTD).
 Janet Jendron, part of the University of South Carolina
Assistive Technology Project
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autism spectrum disorders
blindness and low vision
deafness and hard of hearing
computer access
communication disorders
mobility impairment
mounting systems
learning disabilities
cognitive disabilities
web accessibility
augmentative and alternative communication devices
(AAC)
Information found from ATiA
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There is no specific person who pays for every piece of
assistive technology. Examples of some who do include:
› Schools systems pay for general special education
learning materials as well as technology specified in an
IEP.
› Government programs (whether Social Security, Veteran’s
benefits, or state Medicaid agencies) pay for certain
assistive technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a
necessary medical device.
› Private health insurance pays for certain assistive
technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a necessary
medical device or used for rehabilitation.
› Rehabilitation and job training programs, whether funded
by government or private agencies, may pay for assistive
technology and training to help people get a job.
› Employers may pay for assistive technology that is
determined to be a reasonable accommodation, so an
employee can perform essential job tasks.
Information found from ATiA
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An AT team is formed and they help decide what
technology would be most helpful/useful.
Different organizations that can help include:
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AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association)
ASHA (American Speech-Hearing-Language Association)
CEC (Council for Exceptional Children)
LDA (Learning Disability Association of America)
RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive
Technology Society of North America)
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Information found from ATiA
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYvuS1L5Jbs
› What is an AT Library and an AT loan program?
What is an IEP?
› “IEP (Individualized Education Program): Written
document that describes a student with a disability’s
educational plan; it discusses the disability, goals for the
student, various things that need to be done
throughout the school year, what services the school
will provide, and where the student will learn.”
 IEP’s help play a big role when deciding what type of
device is needed for a student.
 If an IEP team decides a device is needed the student
can borrow the device until they decide whether it works
for the student or not and then if it works for its intended
purpose, steps are made to purchase it.
 If the IEP team states it as a necessity for the student, the
school must provide it for the student according to the
law.
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Information found from FCTD
As a teacher, you can have computers set up
with proper software necessary for students with
disabilities to use.
 Include assistive technology during your lessons.
 Familiarize students in the classroom about the AT
devices and why it is necessary for some students
to use.
 Use AT devices even if they aren’t necessary.
Some examples include large font size and
amplification devices.
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Information from FCTD
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Low tech devices can be defined as a
device that one uses to make a task
easier for themselves but doesn’t take
much training on how to work it. They
also tend to be less expensive and
doesn’t have any complicated features
when using them (“Tools for Life”).
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Reading guides – Direct the student’s eyes easier so they can
follow along with what is being read or what they are
reading.
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Magnifying bar – Make the print they are reading larger.
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Finger pointers - Fun and easy way to help students follow
along on the line they are reading.
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Colored organizer tabs – Can help students keep track of
what page or line they left on.
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Slide readers – Way to help students follow along word by
word, not necessarily line by line.
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http://www.therapyshoppe.com/category/1676-reading-writing-tools-special-needs-kids-studentsot?limitstart=0&category_template=374
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Finger spacers – cue students how much room to leave between words
and letters when they are first learning how to write
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Slant boards – creates a smooth writing surface that provides an easy
wrist position
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Shaded line notebooks – alternate white and shaded lines so students
can stay in the lines while writing
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Pencil grips – easier for students to hold utensil
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Triangular shaped crayons – teach students how to properly hold a
pencil and they don’t roll away when on desk
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http://www.therapyshoppe.com/category/1676-reading-writing-tools-special-needs-kids-studentsot?limitstart=0&category_template=374
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Modified paper – Grid paper with raised bumps or
enlarged grid paper helps students keep things straight
and in line
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Number stamps – can be used to mark numbers without
writing them so it’s neater
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Flashcards – helps students memorize math problems
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Multiplication tables – easier way for students to find the
answer to multiplication problems so it saves time
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Raised lines on rulers – helps students who don’t have the
best sight maybe or help them count the lines easier
Communication Books – provides pages of
symbols arranged by topic usually in which
people can point at to show what they
want
 Communication Charts – similar to
communication books but the symbols are
arranged on a single board or sheet
 Talking Mats – allows the person to stick the
picture to it and is a structured tool for
thinking
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Information and ideas from “Communication Matters”
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Devices that may have some
complicated features and might be
electronic or battery operated. They
may also take some training to learn
how to use and are more expensive than
low-tech devices but cheaper than hightech devices (“Tools for Life”).
Talking Dictionary – handheld device that
reads and defines words
 Reading Pen – handheld device that reads
words that you wrote or are reading
 Commercial e-books – read stories aloud to
you
 Digital Magnifier- magnifies the font which
would help with someone who is visually
impaired
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“Learning Disabilities – Reading”
Writing Templates – allows the student to
write letters easily by tracing letters
 Iris Pen – scans over words and then can
scan into the computer where you can edit
the text and have it read aloud to you
 Sticky Keys – program through Microsoft
that allows you to press one key at a time
that normally requires two fingers to run a
function
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Information found on “Supporting Writers”
Calculator/Talking Calculator – easy way
to solve math problems by electronically
telling you the answer.
 Coin Abacus – helps students
understand how to count money better
by using visuals.
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Go Talk Express 32 – battery operated board where It
has a bunch of different symbols and when you press
it, it says what you want for you
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Frustration Choice Board – good for students who
have behavioral problems so they can just tap the
button to show how they are feeling
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Motion Talker – works great for those who may have
tactlie defensiveness and need to give a quick
message
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Ideas found on Pinterest
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High tech devices are the most complex
equipment used as assistive technology.
They have digital or electronic
components and may be computerized.
They also take a large amount of training
to operate. They are the most expensive
type of devices as well. (“Tools for Life”).
CCTV Video Magnifiers – magnifies what
the student is reading if they are visually
impaired
 Ipad – allows students to be able to
zoom in on text and change the colors
so it is easier for them to see
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Information from FCTD
Electronic Dictionary – portable and
easy for students to use when looking up
how to spell a word or what a word
means
 Word prediction software – helps
students by predicting what word they
are going to type to save time
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Math Talk – helps students understand
the math they are working on while
being able to say what the problem is
and have the computer type it
automatically for them
 Electronic worksheets – allows the
students to do the problems
electronically instead of on paper
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V Pen – pen you use to tap letters on a keypad and it
keeps track of what you are saying and will repeat it
for you aloud.
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Tobii C12 – system where the person can look at a
certain symbol for a certain amount of time and the
system is able to read their eye gaze
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Tellus Mobi – Device that has pages and pages of
symbols for person to select to say what they want
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Ideas found on “Communication Matters”
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Print and picture schedules
Text highlighters
Voice output reminders for tasks and assignments
Software for manipulation of objects
Software for organization
Book adapted for page turner
Talking electronic devices for single words
Scanner for talking word processor
Electronic books
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Info from FCTD
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Dragon Dictation
SpeakText for eBook
Proloquo2go
iCommunicate
Tap to Talk
Evernote
Documents to Go
Talking Web Browser-Pro
Everyday Social Skills
iPrompts Pro
First, then
My Choice Board
myHomework Student Planner
HeyTell
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Devices for eating
› Adapted utensils and plates
› Arm support
› Automated feeding
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Devices for home living
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Switch
Battery interrupter
Control unit
Infrared sender/receiver
Devices for dressing
› Velcro fasteners
› Button hook
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Destani is a twelve year old, just like everyone else in
her class, except she has Muscular Dystrophy. Having
this disorder makes doing everyday school tasks
difficult, but with the help of some technology she is
able to move right along with the class and do
everything they are doing, just in a different way. The
device she uses is called the Vanguard Plus. This
device uses a sensor that she can control by pointing
her head. She is able to study, listen, and talk by using
this device, as well as doing her assignments and
projects on it. She has high goals and will be able to
work towards them with the help of assistive
technology. Destani was awarded the 2012 Horn
Walter Outstanding Achievement in Special
Education Award.
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Makayla Stormer was given a Vantage
through the PRC “40 for 40” program. This
device worked so well with her that she is
now able to use her own voice to talk and
use her own words. Her former SLP says
without the device she wouldn’t have been
able to have had such advancements in
her communication and that she firmly
believes this device was instrumental in
teaching her how to talk. Now that she is
able to communicate on her own, without
using the device, it has been given to
another family to use with their child.
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Adam Assi who is 11 years old and received a device
through the “40 for 40” program. Before he was given
this device he was only able to communicate
through motions and vocalizations. Learning this
device takes time obviously, but he was able to
make strides and advance his vocabulary and
communication skills. At first he would press the
Minspeak buttons, but that took a while to
communicate, so he switched to typing in what he
wanted to say. He is now able to type in what he
wants to say on a regular computer. This device can
travel with him as well and he is able to take it to
restaurants and order what he wants to be more
independent.
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Kim Vuong is another person who was successful using
AT devices and she is 36 years old. Kim was born with
normal physical abilities, but a high fever she had when
she was a child caused her to have cerebral palsy. This
made her speech difficult so she was given a device
when she was 8, but that broke and she wasn’t given
another one until she was 25. She was given this device
when she was working at an independent living center
and clients were saying they couldn’t understand her
on the phone. She chose to use the Vantage because
it was loud enough so she could be heard on the
phone and that it was quick and easy to use. She went
on to get her Associates degree in women studies and
she says she wouldn’t have been able to without her
device. She is now a PRC Ambassador.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcU
NnnwFm4g
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE
LoJutEYHo
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D
Vu6pzj7rA
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXn
qToAwqiE
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"Communication Matters." High-tech Communication Systems.
Communication Matters, 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/page/high-techaac>.
"Learning Disabilities - Reading." Technology Options for Special
Needs. N.p., Sept. 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
http://atpdc.wordpress.com/learning-disabilities/.
"Supporting Writers." : Mid Tech Assistive Technology for the
Writing Process. N.p., 18 July 2012. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
<http://supportingwriters.blogspot.com/2012/07/mid-techassistive-technology.html>.
"Tools for Life." Tools for Life. AMAC, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.gatfl.org/assistive.php>.
What Is Assistive Technology? How Is It Funded?" - Assistive
Technology Industry Association. ATiA, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859>.
"The Family Center on Technology and Disability." FCTD. N.p., 2014. Web.
09 Dec. 2014. <http://www.fctd.info/powerpoints>.
All images from google.