Assistive Technology to Improve Special Education: A Systematic Guide

Assistive Technology to Improve Special Education: A Systematic Guide

Summary

The ultimate objective has always been to provide every student, especially those with special needs, abundant learning opportunities in individualized educational experiences. The systematic guide provides the following information on the development of assistive technology (AT), which has greatly enhanced the possibilities for improving education and increasing independence among students with impairments. This blog will discuss various assistive technologies, their benefits, and useful applications in special education settings.

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology is any hardware, software, or device designed to enable individuals with disabilities to perform tasks that would be challenging or stimulating in a non-assistive setting. By streamlining curriculum access, improving communication, and fostering greater communication in the classroom, AT helps students achieve academic success.

Schools Must Include Assistive Technology in IEPs, Says Department of Education (asha.org)

What kind of devices are low, medium, and high-tech? 

LOW TECH -  

Canes | Mobility | eSpecial Needs

Walking cane

Binder clips that make it easier to turn pages

MED TECH - 

Humanware - Magnifiers for the Visually Impaired - Low vision and blindness solutions: Magnifiers, Braille devices, Audio assistants, Orientation and mobility, and Embossers

Screen magnifier

BrailleBlaster

Brialle Software

HIGH TECH -

Speech Tablets for Autism, Aphasia, Stroke, Parkinson’s – Speech Tablets by Gus Communication Devices (usaspeechtablets.com)

Electronic tablet 

Assistive Technology for Autism & Special Needs - Order Now! (angelsense.com)

Alert Device

What role does Assistive Technology play in the IEP process?

The IEP document serves all children with special needs and other kinds of disabilities in which its collaboratives special education and supportive services. For every student with an IEP should have AT taken, the following must be documented in Section 5.

A. Assistive technology, in each public agency and or school, it shall ensure all assistive devices or technology serves and are made for all students with disabilities.

1. Special education 

2. Services related, or 

3. services and supplementary aids

B. A child's IEP team determines when a child needs access to AT and other supplementary aids, on a case-by-case basis, the use of school purchased is required to receive FAPE.

AT technology plays a major part in the IEP process by providing the required and appropriate devices for each child needing AT in the classroom and at home. 

AT_Resource_Guide_6.pdf (ocali.org)

The following video explains and gives examples of Assistive Technology