Assistive Technology: Meeting the Needs of Learners With Disabilities

Not so much to do with assistive technology but definitely assistive...

Assistive technology has historically been thought of as the technology for individuals with disabilities. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 400) In recent years the definition has slowly changed and become much more widely distinguished. From cognitive problems to physical impairments, assistive technology (or better known as AT) is available to help individuals with many different forms of disabilities. While most only think of computers and software when referring to AT; assistive technology can also include mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and even keyboards.

With such widely ranging accommodations for learners with disabilities, its good to say a majority of teachers use this form of teaching. Below are various types of disabilities and gifts, I have dept with as a teacher for the past 15 years or so. Along with suggested websites or software; I will also include some pieces of hardware I found that enhanced learning for each type of disability.

• Mild Disabilities - Mild disabilities are considered to be the most prevalent type of disability. They include everything from learning disabilities to serious emotional disabilities, and mental retardation. There are many characteristics for mild disabilities; some such as cognitive, academic, and social-emotional. Individuals dealing with this typically struggle the most with reading, writing, retention, and memory. Software products such as JumpStart Kindergarten or Renaissance Learning's NEO Writer are both very good products to use when trying to enhance their learning. Text-to-speech software products that help with communication includes the Apple iPhone app Speak It.
• Moderate and Severe Disabilities - People with these types of disabilities need to focus on putting an incredible amount of effort into learning daily living skills. While doing some things like shopping, using public transportation, or maintaining personal hygiene may seem incredibly simple to us; it is a major accomplishment for people with this disabilities. A good software to use to help teach important functional skills is the Time, Money, and Fractions On-Track iPad app. An excellent hardware for these students to use is alternative keyboards, such as the Intellikeys keyboards. Alternative keyboards can be used to create customized keyboards. Keyboard keys can be enlarged, unimportant keys can be removed, and functions like printing, saving, and deleting can have their very own key. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 408) 
• Physical Disabilities - Physical disabilities can hinder a person's mobility and agility. Individuals can struggle with some of the slightest of movements. While there are not many software to be used to help with this disability; there are many different types of hardware for a person with a physical disability to use. For example: joysticks and switches. Assistive technology involves a team of specialist when dealing with physical disabilities. 
• Sensory Disabilities - These types of disabilities involve impairments associated with the loss of hearing and seeing. If a person losses his or her vision completely, they are classified as blind. Being blind does cause for a slight modification of technology being that the person cannot see what they are doing but with the invention of Braille; it has become much easier. Typically students use tools to convert printed information called, an optical character recognition (OCR) software. Being deaf also falls under sensory disabilities. Being deaf does not affect your brain and learning as much as other disabilities. In fact, deaf people typically do not have to modify their technology. An great hardware they use are an auditory feedback system.      
• At-Risk Behaviors/Situations - Students at risk for school failure are not considered disabled in the sense of the federal requirements of disabilities. However, with their lack of success in school, they typically fall at the same levels of someone suffering from a disability.   
• Gifts and Talents - The federal definition of gifted students was developed in the 1972 Marland Report to Congress, and has since been modified several times. Students with special gifts and talents typically fall into using the five Pyryt P's. The P's stand for pace, process, passion, products, and peers. Two good websites to go to that focuses in on passion is http://lt.umn.edu/geothentic and http://alienrescue.edb.utexas.edu. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram are excellent sites to build peer relationships; which can sometimes be tough for gifted students. I have discovered that podcasts to multimedia products to documenting dramatization with technology can be a very good hardware for students to use as well.

Chapter 15 of Roblyer and Doering's book basically introduced its readers to the learning process of technology for special need individuals. When talking about special education the first thing that comes to mind are the various types of disabilities. What's classified as a disability? What is considered an impairment? Both of these terms have very distinct meanings. An impairment involves an abnormality or loss of function in a physical, anatomical, or psychological structure; while having a disability is the point when an impairment limits an individuals from performing an activity in a manner that would normally be expected of a human being. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 398) While it is highly recommended to encourage AT within the classroom setting, the school system was not always that supportive. The Technology-Related Assistance Act for Individuals with Disabilities, was passed in 1988 in efforts to provide statewide funding for both systems and services to provide assistive technology devices. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 400)With things like American Sign Language and Universal Design coming into play, AT has not only found its way into inclusive classrooms but also the homes of many disabled individuals. 

- I have learned so many new & interesting ways to incorporate assistive learning into my classroom. What's your favorite way? #ED505UWARAY
— Costella Tucker-Duke (@CostellaTuckerD) July 16, 2013