Assistive technology
Any tool that helps students with disabilities do more activities quickly, easily or independently.
Assistive technologies can provide accommodations, modifications or adaptation to the classroom, curriculum and instruction. When these technologies are placed appropriately into the classroom, students are provided with multiple means to complete their work and focus on achieving academic standards. Though many of these technologies are expensive, there are other technologies or techniques that can be used in the classroom without having the hefty price tag.
Assistive technologies can provide accommodations, modifications or adaptation to the classroom, curriculum and instruction. When these technologies are placed appropriately into the classroom, students are provided with multiple means to complete their work and focus on achieving academic standards. Though many of these technologies are expensive, there are other technologies or techniques that can be used in the classroom without having the hefty price tag.
Progression in technology
Before these different and multiple assistive technologies became a part of the classroom, many students with disabilities were not given the same opportunities they are given today. Students before were not included in the
regular classroom mainly because they could not keep up with the rest of the class. Once technology progressed, students with disabilities were slowly gaining independence. The different technologies allowed students to get help
in the areas they needed while also being allowed to interact and socialize with the students in their age group. As these technologies progressed, students with all types of disabilities were able to have their needs met. Once assistive technologies first came into the classroom, there were very few technologies. Being that there was so few technologies, not all students were able to have assistive technology. Now assistive technologies are available to help individuals with many different types of disabilities; disabilities ranging from cognitive problems to physical impairments.
Once students were given the opportunities to use these assistive technologies, students experienced greater success when they were allowed to use their abilities to work around their disabilities. Using these assistive technologies, students not only gain more confidence and also lessened their anxiety about learning but also reduced their frustration within their own learning process. These technologies allowed students to focus on what they know rather than having them focus on what they are unable to do.
regular classroom mainly because they could not keep up with the rest of the class. Once technology progressed, students with disabilities were slowly gaining independence. The different technologies allowed students to get help
in the areas they needed while also being allowed to interact and socialize with the students in their age group. As these technologies progressed, students with all types of disabilities were able to have their needs met. Once assistive technologies first came into the classroom, there were very few technologies. Being that there was so few technologies, not all students were able to have assistive technology. Now assistive technologies are available to help individuals with many different types of disabilities; disabilities ranging from cognitive problems to physical impairments.
Once students were given the opportunities to use these assistive technologies, students experienced greater success when they were allowed to use their abilities to work around their disabilities. Using these assistive technologies, students not only gain more confidence and also lessened their anxiety about learning but also reduced their frustration within their own learning process. These technologies allowed students to focus on what they know rather than having them focus on what they are unable to do.
“Technology has great potential in providing access for all learners. Through the use of a variety of assistive technologies, students with disabilities can have the ability to access the general curriculum. When assistive technology is appropriately integrated into the regular classroom, students are provided with multiple means to complete their work”
Janet Jendron
University of South Carolina Assistive Technology Project
“The Power of Assistive Technology”
Janet Jendron
University of South Carolina Assistive Technology Project
“The Power of Assistive Technology”