Resources for K-12 Teachers

Think about:

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: http://www.rit.edu/~easi/

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 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.

This 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.
• Finally offered is an outline for a assistive technology class that includes materials and readings that you can use for self-study if so desired. Click here to go to class outline.