Assistive Technology Assignment

EDU 120

Definition of Assistive Technology:

“Assistive technology means any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.”

(Federal Register, August 19, 1991, p. 41272).

Situation:

As a teacher, you find out that one of your students has one or more disabilities. Because you know that technology can be a great asset to that student, you want to seek out and provide appropriate tools that will meet the needs of that student.  Your principal has told you that s/he will fund some assistive technology for that student but s/he wants you to do the research on those tools and submit it for his/her perusal.  S/he will then make the decision for the purchase of the tool(s).

Your job is to write a proposal to your principal for assistive technology tools for your student.  In your proposal, you will need the following components:

1.     A summary of your student and his/her needs so that your principal understands your focus and the reason for your proposal. 

Choose from one or more of the following disabilities for your student:

§  Blind/low vision

§  Deaf

§  Deaf & Blind

§  Attention-Deficit

§  Motor problems

§  Non-verbal

§  Processing defects

§  Communication defects

2.     A list of at least 5 forms of assistive technology that will assist that student in his/her learning.  You must explain each one.  Include a description of each tool, how the student would use it, your opinion of its merit, where you could buy the tool, how much it will cost (app.), and any other positive or negative aspects of the tool.  Your goal is to provide your principal with as much information about each tool so that s/he can make an informed decision for your student.  You also want the best decision to be made for this student because, of course, that student is your responsibility.

HINT:

Your proposal will be more convincing and professional if you give sufficient and meaningful information.

Use the Internet to find this information.  You can search for sites on your own or you can use the listed sites to get your information.

For searching: 

§  www.google.com is a great search engine.

§  www.yahoo.com is also a good engine.

Assistive technology information sites (products and articles):

§  http://www.assistivetech.com/

§  http://www.abledata.com/

§  http://www.rehabtool.com/

§  http://www.atia.org/

§  http://www.katsnet.org/files.html

§  http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/list/assist01.htm

§  http://www.atnet.org/

§  http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/technology/technology.html