"Assistive technology (AT) is a term for assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and the elderly."
Overview of assistive technology and tools that can be used to support students with disabilities in the classroom, and understanding how to integrate technology into teaching and learning.
Assistive Technology: This is the use of technology devices or software to level the playing field for individuals with disabilities.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL): This is a framework for the design of accessible learning environments that enables all individuals to learn in different ways using various forms of technology.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): This is the use of technology devices to supplement or replace a person's ability to communicate.
Inclusive Education: This is the practice of ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, have access to the same educational opportunities, using technology to remove barriers.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP): This is a legal document that outlines a student's goals, accommodations, and services to achieve academic success, which may include technology-related services.
Special Education Law: This encompasses national and state laws and policies that define special education services and accommodations that are available to individuals with disabilities.
Learning Disabilities: This term refers to the difficulties experienced by people with neurological differences in processing and retaining information, and the use of technology to address those challenges.
Adaptive Software and Devices: These tools are designed to improve the performance of individuals with disabilities in academic or functional settings, such as speech recognition software for students with dyslexia.
Multi-Sensory Learning: This approach emphasizes the use of multiple senses to improve learning outcomes and retention, which can be achieved through technologies such as Virtual Reality.
Special Education Assessment: This is the process of evaluating a student's strengths and weaknesses, and determining their specific needs and how technology can be used to address them.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): AAC technology is used to support individuals with communication difficulties by providing alternative methods of communication, such as using a device to speak for them or using sign language.
Assistive Technology (AT): AT technology is used to support individuals with disabilities in performing tasks and activities that may be challenging for them.
Educational Software: Educational software is designed to support learners with special needs in achieving their educational goals by providing interactive, adaptive and engaging learning environments.
Adaptive Equipment: Adaptive equipment refers to devices and tools used to support individuals with disabilities in performing daily living activities, such as eating, bathing, and dressing.
Specialized Computers: Specialized computers are designed to support individuals with disabilities in accessing and using computer technology, including assistive software and hardware.
Interactive Whiteboards: An interactive whiteboard is an advanced technology that can be used to create a collaborative and interactive learning environment for the learners, and it can also be used to promote creativity and improve attention span.
Mobile Devices: Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets offer accessibility through text to speech conversion, voice recognition and other assistive tools.
Visual Support Tools: Visual support tools are designed to support learning and communication by providing visual aids such as pictures, symbols and graphics.
Alternative and Augmented Reality (AR): AR technology is used to simulate real-life experiences that allow learners to explore, learn and engage in immersive environments.
Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs): Virtual learning environments are designed to support learners with special needs in accessing educational materials and resources, which can be adapted to meet individual needs.
"Assistive technology promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing."
"ADLs are self-care activities that include toileting, mobility (ambulation), eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, and personal device care."
"Assistive technology can ameliorate the effects of disabilities that limit the ability to perform ADLs."
"...assistive eating devices can enable people who cannot feed themselves to do so."
"Due to assistive technology, disabled people have an opportunity of a more positive and easygoing lifestyle."
"...increase in 'social participation,' 'security and control,' and a greater chance to 'reduce institutional costs without significantly increasing household expenses.'"
"In schools, assistive technology can be critical in allowing students with disabilities access to the general education curriculum."
"Students who experience challenges writing or keyboarding, for example, can use voice recognition software instead."
"Assistive technologies assist people who are recovering from strokes..."
"...and people who have sustained injuries that affect their daily tasks."
"To ameliorate the effects of disabilities that limit the ability to perform ADLs."
"Assistive technology (AT) is a term for assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and the elderly."
"For example, wheelchairs provide independent mobility for those who cannot walk..."
"...enabling people to perform tasks they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing..."
"...disabled people have an opportunity for a more positive and easygoing lifestyle, with an increase in 'social participation.'"
"...a greater chance to 'reduce institutional costs without significantly increasing household expenses.'"
"Assistive technology (AT) is a term for assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and the elderly."
"...by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks."
"ADLs are self-care activities... grooming, and personal device care."