What is Assistive

Technology?
Angie Mitchell
SES 662
Summer 2016

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology
is any device or piece
of equipment that
helps people with all
kinds of disabilities
become more
independent and
perform daily tasks.

This video from the

North Carolina
Assistive Technology
Program website helps
show how Assistive
Technology can help
transforms lives.
https://vimeo.com/110
355711

Lets look closer at what this

means for the classroom.

According to The Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA) schools are required to provide
assistive technology if it will provide meaningful
access to the general curriculum (IDEA, 1997).
These devices are provided by the EC department of
our school, however there are times when students in
your class havent been identified or you have
students who might not need these services that still
have trouble expressing themselves. We need to
reach out to all students and provide a way to
communicate.

Different Types of Assistive

Technology

Vision
Hearing
Speech Communication
Learning/Cognition/Developmental
Mobility/Seating/Positioning
Daily Living
Environmental Adaptations
Vehicle Modification and Transportation
Computer and Related
Recreation/Sports/Leisure

List came from http://www.ncatp.org/index.htm

Speech Communications and

Computer and Related Services

Our focus today is going to be on how to help students that struggle

with communication and fine motor skills.
Our non-verbal students or students with speech delays need a way
to be able to communicate their needs. There are many different
types of products for this including communication boards and
speech generating boards.
The question comes into play though what happens when they dont
have access to these devices or havent acquired one yet.
Students with physical limitations often have trouble using computers
with regular size keyboards.
Today we are going to explore at least one way to help both our
non-verbal students communicate with us and our students with
physical limitation using the same equipment as every other student
in the classroom uses.

MaKey-MaKey

MaKey-MaKey can
turn everyday objects
into a touchpad that
interacts with the
computer.
Here is an example of
how a MaKey-MaKey
can allow a student to
explore music.

How is it Assistive Technology?

Often times the struggle with the computer for

some of our students is the lack of fine motor skills
to touch the keys needed. With a MaKey-MaKey
the keys can become as big as needed.
You can also create programs to make the
computer speak to you by making a button
correspond to a word.
Both of these ways allow students to participate
in a regular setting with the same device as their
classmates.

Exploring Time

Lets see what we can create with our Makey-Makey

using the supplies we have here.
You can also go to www.makeymakey.com to see the
different options.
Students can play games that may not be accessible
without a modified key pad.
You will see that MaKey-MaKey has a guide on how to
use it as Assistive Technology.
http://makeymakey.com/guides/assistive.php
We are going to look at another way today though.

Combining Makey-Makey with

the website Scratch

Scratch is a computer programming site that

allows you to tell the computer what to do
when a button is pushed. This is an excellent
way for teachers to program the computer to
respond to answers. For the example I am
going to show you I did the basic multiple
choice answers. However you could make it
say anything you want.

Examples of
Scratch
Here is a basic example of how I
programmed the computer to say
A, B, C, D to help students answer
questions. Like I said you can
make it say anything you want it
to.

Questions?

As you leave today please complete the

Padlet evaluation form.
https://padlet.com/amitchell/assistivetechnol
ogyworkshopreview

Resources:

http://www.ncatp.org
http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/F
oundation/intro/introdefine.php
www.makeymakey.com
www.scratch.com

Bibliography
Assistive Technology Training Online Project. (2005).
Introduction to AT. Retrieved June 2016, from
http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/
introdefine.php
Department of Health and Human Services. (2016). Retrieved
June 2016, from North Carolina Assistive Technology Project:
http://www.ncatp.org/index.htm
Kurtts, S.A., Dobbins, N., and Takemae, N. (2011). Using
assistive technology to meet diverse learner needs. Library
Media Connection, 30(4), 22-24