What is Assistive Technology?
As special education teachers, we all use assistive technology on a daily basis to meet our student’s needs. But do we really know what Assistive Technology is? I just completed my certificate program on Assistive Technology and I would love to share my wealth of knowledge with you!!! So let me ask the important question…
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology is…
“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 functional capabilities
of individuals with disabilities.”
item, piece of equipment or product system,
whether acquired commercially, off the shelf,
modified or customized, that is used to
increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities
of individuals with disabilities.”
Assistive
Technology Act of 1998
Technology Act of 1998
When we think about assistive technology in the classroom, we need to ask ourselves these questions…”What can the student do?” vs. “What is the curriculum/task asking the student to do?” From here, we must decide if there there is a gap in between the two questions. If the answer is yes…. is assistive technology necessary for the student to make progress? Assistive technology is most often defined incorrectly. Assistive technology does not have to be something that is plugged in or charged. Assistive technology can be an accommodation, a support and sometimes even a service. An assistive technology service is “any
services that directly assists an individual
with a disability in the selection,
services that directly assists an individual
with a disability in the selection,
acquisition
or use of an assistive technology device.” –Assistive
Technology Act of 1998
or use of an assistive technology device.” –Assistive
Technology Act of 1998
I will be talking about assistive technology over the entire week. The topics I will address include:
1. What is Assistive Technology?
2. Low Tech, Mid Tech and High Tech Assistive technologies
3. Assistive Technology Assessments- What is right?
4. Assistive Technology Resources
I want to end on a quote I find quite beautiful…
“Regardless of how good a swim instructor you are, you can’t teach a person to swim in the parking lot of a swimming pool.” -Anonymous
