Mrs. Bertsch's Blog: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Friday, April 10, 2009

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive technologies enable people to communicate, receive instruction, learn, play, move about, achieve, and be independent (Blackstone, 1990). These technologies have been used to enhance the abilities of people as part of early intervention services, in educational and recreational programs, for employment, rehabilitation, and for independent living (Solarz, 1990)

According to the Technology-related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Tech Act), an Assistive technology device 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 the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." Assistive technology services are defined in the Act as "any services that directly assist an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device" (P.L. 100-407, Sec.3 1988). According to the Act, these services include;

1. evaluation of needs, providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities;
2. selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing, such assistive devices;
3. coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology;
4. training or providing technical assistance for an individual with disabilities; and,
5. training or providing technical assistance for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide services to or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of individuals with disabilities.

References
Blackstone, S. (1990). Assistive technology in the classroom: issues and guidelines. Augmentative Communication News, 3(6).

Public Law 100-407. Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988.
Solarz A.L. (1990) Rehabilitation psychologists: A place in the policy process? American Psychologist, 45(6), 776-770.

(Note: this description has been taken directly from grant proposal prepared by the Institute on Disabilities, the University Affiliated Program at Temple University.)

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What is Adaptive or Assistive Technology and What Does it Mean to Me?

Assistive or Adaptive Technology commonly refers to "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities..."
Assistive Technology Act of 1998

Assistive Technology Products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life.

Assistive Technology devices can help improve physical or mental functioning, overcome a disorder or impairment, help prevent the worsening of a condition, strengthen a physical or mental weakness, help improve a person's capacity to learn, or even replace a missing limb.

Assistive Technology Services support people with disabilities or their caregivers to help them select, acquire, or use adaptive devices. Such services include functional evaluations, training on devices, product demonstration, and equipment purchasing or leasing.

Assistive Technology is For Everyone

Assistive Technology (AT) is defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as, "...any item, piece of equipment, or product system... that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." In other words, AT can be anything - from a pencil grip to a computer, a magnifying glass to a wheelchair - that helps a person perform a daily task that might otherwise be very difficult or impossible. AT accomodations can be written in to a child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP); for example, if a child has a difficult time typing on a regular keyboard, ergonomic or large-key keyboards may benefit the child and this could be written in to an IEP. AT should not be confused with Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL is when an entire curriculum is created and designed to differentiate instruction for every student, including students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and gifted and talented students.