| | | What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology refers to alternative or adaptive specialized hardware and software, including enabling input devices, voice synthesizers, and voice recognition programs (Marbler, Hadadian, & Ulman, 1999). This technology enables students with learning and physical disabilities to actively participate in inclusive classroom tasks such as writing, reading, mathematics, and the like (Lankutis & Kennedy, 2002).
For example, Karl Dean, who has Cerebral Palsy, utilizes a variety of communication devices. For additional information regarding how assistive technology helps people with disabilities, click on Yvonne Singer: A Paragon of Perseverance by Irene Towt.
References
Lankutis, T., and K. Kennedy. 2002. Assistive Technology and the Multiage Classroom. Technology & Media, 22(8): 38-43.
Marbler, J. B., A. Hadadian, and J. Ulman. 1999. Using Assistive Technology in the Inclusive Classroom. Preventing School Failure, 43(7): 113-120.
For more information, click on the following links:
Poole, Bernard J., Yvonne Singer. "Education Technologies for Accessibility." Proceedings of TCC 2005: Tenth Annual Teaching in the Community Colleges Online Conference, University of Hawaii, April 19-21, 2005.
Poole, Bernard J., Yvonne Singer. "Accessibility Issues in Educational Computing." Proceedings of IOC 2005: INNOVATION, EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND YOU. Illinois Online Conference for Teaching and Learning, Illinois Community Colleges Online (ILCCO), February 16-18, 2005.
Textbook: Jackson, L., Sky-McIlvain, E., Poole, B. J., & Singer, Y. (2005). EDUCATION FOR AN INFORMATION AGE: Teaching in the Computerized Classroom, 5th edition. In Chapter 15. Instructional Technology for Students with Disabilities: Assistive Technologies of Which We All Should Be Aware. |
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