The University of Iowa

College of Education

 

07C:187, 07U 187 - INTRODUCTION TO ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

 

Fall Semester, 2003

 

Deb Kakavas, ICATER Secretary

(319) 335 – 6214

 

 
Instructor:  Noel Estrada-Hernández                                     

Office:  N348 Lindquist Center

            ICATER Office N 168  Lindquist Center                     

Telephone:  (319) 335 – 5625                                                

Office Hours: TBA or by appointment                                                

e-mail:  noel-estradahernandez@uiowa.edu

 

Class:  Tuesday and Thursdays, 1:05 pm - 2:20 p.m.         

Classroom:  N206 Lindquist Center

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Course Goal: This course will introduce students in the field of education, counseling or any other help profession to have a greater understanding of Assistive Technology (AT). Students will acquire a perspective of how AT can be useful in their work environments when providing services to persons with disabilities.

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Course Objectives: The course will be structured in three main components that will provide the students a more comprehensive view of AT. These components are: lectures, laboratory experiences, and personal research.

 

1.      Students will develop an understanding of the history, and legislative influences as well the purpose, function and process of AT.

2.      Students will be exposed to AT devices and programs starting at a “low tech” level and moving towards “higher” levels of technology.

3.      To learn about the models and tools available to perform AT evaluations.

4.      Students will understand the cultural aspects of Assistive Technology.

5.      To develop an understanding of the ethical and legal standards related to the provision of AT services.

6.      To learn about federal, state, and local resources regarding AT.

7.      To develop competency in the use of the library system and introduce students to the research area related to Assistive Technology.

 

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Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments:

           

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 provides for "reasonable accommodations" to be available to any individual who advises us of a physical or mental disability. If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an accommodation or an academic adjustment, please meet with me at your earliest convenience.

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Student Grievances:

 

            Procedures for filing student complaints are explained in Policies and Regulations Affecting Students. Copies are available at the Campus Information Center in the Iowa Memorial Union. It is your responsibility to be aware of these policies and regulations. If you have a situation and for any reason you could not go directly to the instructor or the instructor is reluctant to work the situation, as student you are encouraged to ask advice from your department’s chair.

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Late Work Policy:

 

            This instructor will NOT accept any late work unless is based on reasonable medical excuse. For the benefit of your classmates, remember to be on time for the class and turn your cellular phones off when the lecture begins.

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Course Requirements: (See course agenda for dates)

 

        Examinations  - 75 Points

        Mid Term exam - The exam will contain multiple choice and short answer questions, and will cover the material through the midterm period. Exam will be a take home test. Students will be required to work by themselves. Students’ honorable behavior is expected. Violations to this behavior will be penalized according to the Student’s Handbook www.class.uiowa.edu/students/academic_handbook/

 

        Research Paper - 75 Points

An abstract must be submitted to the instructor introducing the topic selected. The paper could be based on one of the topics presented in the course syllabus or any other topic related to the AT rehabilitation counseling field.

Paper is due the final exam week. Minimum of eight pages and APA style are required. 

 

Paper grading criteria:

 

Content: Does the student accurately address the selected topic? (30 points)

 

APA format: Are the APA guidelines adhered? (15 points)

 

Did the student include sufficient references to support the selected topic? (10 points)

 

General form of the paper: Does the student use accurate grammar and syntax, does the paper flow smoothly? Does the student provide clear conclusions? (20 points)

 

 

 

 

AT Presentation – 25 Points

The presentation could be based on the research prepared for the research paper or any other AT related area in which the student has interest. Presentation is expected to last 10 minutes. Handouts are optional, however the class may benefit from the sharing of information.

 

 

AT Laboratory Experience Assignments – 25 Points

Five laboratory experiences are required as part of your participation in this course. This lab experiences will expose you to the different AT levels and will provide you with a practical understanding of AT. Assignments will be based on the laboratories.

 

Total Possible Points - 200 Points

Grade distribution:

90 – 100 % = A

89 – 80 % = B

79 – 60 % = C

59 – 50 % = D

Below 49 = F

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Required Text Books:

Bryant, D. P. & Bryant, B. R. (2003). Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities. CA: Allyn and Bacon.

 

Alliance for Technology Access (2000). Computer and Web Resources for People with Disabilities: A Guide to Exploring Today's Assistive Technology. CA: Hunter House.

 

Additional readings will be provided by the instructor.

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Students are encouraged to bring and discuss any Journal article or news related to AT they consider will enhance the professional growth of the group during this experience.

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The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment and in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Coordinator of Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA in the Office of Affirmative Action, (319) 335-0705 (voice) and (319) 335-0697 (text), 202 Jessup Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1316.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The University of Iowa

College of Education

 

07C:187, 07U 187 - INTRODUCTION TO ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

 

Course Agenda

 

Date

Subject

August 26

Course overview and tour to the Iowa Center for Assistive Technology and Educational Resources (ICATER) computer lab. http://projects.education.uiowa.edu/icater/

 

August 28

Assistive Technology and Attitudes and Awareness of disabilities. (Discuss Microsoft videotape on AT).

Readings: ATA Chs. 1 & 2.

 

September 2

Historic trends and legislation of Assistive Technology.

Readings: ATA Ch 5, B&B Ch 1.

 

September 4

Technology Access. How it works? Review of some computer tools, vocabulary and their application to AT.

Readings: ATA Ch 4, B&B Ch 6.

 

September 9

Assistive Technology: State and Federal resources. How to obtain additional information  .(Class may meet in room 186)

Readings: ATA Ch. 6 & 7

ICATER

http://projects.education.uiowa.edu/icater/

 

September 11

Low Tech, High Tech, or No Tech.

Readings:  ATA 246 – 262

 

September 16

Low Tech for persons with:

Visual impairments

Cognitive disabilities

 

Readings:

September 18

Low Tech for persons with:

Hearing impairments

Communication disorders

 

Readings: B&B Ch 5

 

September 23

Low Tech for persons with:

Dexterity and mobility issues

Aging issues

 

Readings: B&B Ch 4 & Ch 9

 

September 25

WORKSHOP. Lab Experience # 1: Low Tech. What it could be? How it could be used? Based on our discussion in class students will bring an ordinary device and will modify it (or explain which modifications could be made) to be a Low Tech AT device. (More instructions will be given)

 

September 30

Models of AT evaluations.

Readings: ATA Ch 3, B&B Ch 2 & 3

 

October 2

AT in the school setting

Readings: B&B 7 & 8

 

October 7

The IEP and AT. A guide to the Individualized Education Plan

.(MID TERM HANDED TO STUDENTS)

Readings: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/Products/IEP_Guide/

               

October 9

AT in work settings

Readings: Disability disclosure and interview techniques for persons with disabilities. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/corner/vo101iss13.htm

Cleghorn, J. (2002). (Provided by instructor).

 

October 14

 

No class. Mid Term DUE 2:20 pm (Return to N. 348 LC)

                                                                                      

October 16

 High Tech for persons with:

Visual impairments

Cognitive disabilities

 

Readings: ATA 210 – 227 & 228 – 245

 

October 21

WORKSHOP. Lab Experience # 2 High Tech for persons with:

Visual impairments

Cognitive disabilities

 

October 23

High Tech for persons with:

Hearing impairments

Communication disorders

 

Readings: ATA 173 – 209                   Hand in assignment 1.

 

October 28

WORKSHOP. Lab Experience # 3 High Tech for persons with:

Hearing impairments

Communication disorders

 

October 30

 

 

High Tech for persons with:

 

Dexterity and mobility issues

Aging issues                                        Hand in assignment 2.

 

 

 

November 4

WORKSHOP. Lab Experience # 4 High Tech for persons with:

Dexterity and mobility issues

Aging issues

 

 

November 6

Universal Design and AT. Learning what makes our traditional computer software accessible.

Readings: What is Universal Design?

http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/univ_design/princ_overview.htm

 

                                                             Hand in assignment 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 11

WORKSHOP. Lab Experience # 5 Universal Design and AT A quick introduction to build an accessible web page. 

Readings TBA                          Class may meet in room 186)

                                                             Hand in assignment 4.

 

November 13

WORKSHOP. Lab Experience # 5 Cont. Universal Design and AT A quick introduction to build an accessible web page. 

Readings TBA                         (Class may meet in room 186)

 

November 18

Research Day. Review of different search engines that could be used to prepare my paper/presentation for class.

 

November 20

Obtaining AT equipment and problems associated with AT abandonment               (Turn in abstract for research paper)

Readings: ATA Ch 9 & 10

Riemer-Reiss et al. (2000)

 

 

November 25 – 27

THANKSGIVING BREAK

December 2

As you become more expert: Evaluation and upgrades of assistive technologies

ATA 11 & 12

                                                             Hand in assignment 5.

 

December 4

Funding s for Assistive Technology

Readings: ATA Ch 8

 

December 9

AT PRESENTATIONS ROUND 1

December 11

AT PRESENTATIONS ROUND 2                        ACE FORMS

December 16 - 18

FINAL PAPER DUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Cleghorn J. (2002). The business value of integrating accessible technology into your organization. In G. Moulton, LD. Huyler, J. Hertz, and M. Levenson (Eds.). Accessible Technology in Today’s Business. Washington: Microsoft Press.

 

Riemer-Reiss, Marti L., & Wacker, R. (2000). Factors associated with assistive technology discontinuance among individuals with disabilities. Journal of Rehabilitation. 66, 3.