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Resources for K-12 Teachers With the advances of medicine and current legislation more
students with disabilities are able to participate in a traditional
education environment. All teachers will experience students with
disabilities in their classes or classroom. The purpose of the an
assistive technology website is to offer a basic understanding of how
assistive technology can be used to aid both the teacher and the student
in their educational endeavor. To better aid you in understanding this
new technology we will examine some definitions:
- Adapted Technology
"An adaptation is a modification made to a device or to a
service or program which renders it usable by or appropriate for a
person with a disability. At school, a standard curriculum or lesson may
be adapted, for example, to better meet the needs of a special
education student. A car may be adapted with hand controls, so a person
whose legs are impaired may drive. A computer may be adapted, so a
person who has no fine motor control can use the machine. A toy may be
adapted so a child with a disability can enjoy and learn from its use. A
device, program or service which has been modified is referred to as
"adapted." Thus, we have adapted computers, adapted cars, adapted
kitchens, adapted toys and games, etc. Source: Equal Access to Software
and Information.
- Assistive Technology
"Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether
acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified or customized, that
increases, maintains, or improves functional capabilities of individuals
with disabilities.
Source: Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With
Disabilities Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-407, August 19, 1988).
- Assistive Technology Devices
"Assistive Technology devices can be anything from a simple tool
with no moving parts (e.g., a toothbrush with a built-up handle) to a
sophisticated mechanical/electronic system (e.g., a robotic arm).
Simple, mechanical devices are often referred to as 'low tech' devices
while computer-driven or complex assistive technolgy may be called 'high
tech.' However, many people in the assistive technology field have
argued that this complexity-based classification is not a useful one as
there is no clear division between 'simple' or low tech and 'complex' or
'high tech' devices. With the passage of the Rehabilitation Act
Amendments of 1992 (PL 102-569), assistive technology devices and
assitive technology services are now included as part of rehabilitation
technology." Source: Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With
Disabilities Act of 1988 (Public Law- 100-407, August 19, 1988). The ICATER Website The purpose of this website is intended to aid students in several ways: - It will aid to Educate and lessen possible fears about technology.
- Better gain an understanding of the ease or difficulty of the device.
- Explore developing accessible class material that can be used in class instruction.
- The final goal of this website is to aid teachers and
students to gain a basic understanding of assistive technology including
how to find current information about assistive technology and some
strategies for funding.
Our site is divided up in several parts for your own exploration. - Description of the Education Technology Center located in
the College of Education ITC and the assistive technology devices there.
Click here to the assistive technology description.
- Description of resources available to educators to aid in
the education and use of assistive technology in classrooms. This
includes resources from Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights,
and other educational institutions. Click here to go to useful links.
- Description of types of accommodation a person may use and some links to some specific accommodations information.
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