6A Ralph Rich - Response to Jodie Bock

Discussion Questions:

1. What is Assistive Technology (AT)?

- Assistive Technology can be an 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 a child with a disability, according to Schaff (pg. 1).

2. What are the differences between tech? I.e. high, low, and med tech?

- Bock mentions three (3) categories of Assistive Technology (AT): High, Med, & Low

- High AT includes Power Wheelchairs, computers, iPads, mobile phones, hearing aids, etc. Many schools are working to incorporate High-Tech AT into the classroom. However, the downside of High-Tech AT is the training that goes along with it.

- Med Tech AT encompasses Closed Caption TV programming, calculators, buttons (either single or multi-switch), and manual wheelchairs to name a few. Med Tech AT assists those with poor motor skills or mobility.

- Low-Tech AT is most commonly used (as well with much of Med Tech). Low-Tech AT can be a highlighter, modeling clay or a pencil grip. These ATs require little to no training and can be useful in the everyday classroom.

3. Why must it be considered on every IEP?

- Assistive Technology (AT) must be considered in the students' IEP because AT is a form of accommodation for the student. It is a necessity for the student to learn and stay engaged. Assistive Technology aids the student in reaching his/her fullest potential.

4. What disabilities can technology support, and how?

- Bock listed AT items that can help students with various disabilities such as, Autism, cognitive disabilities, physical disabilities, visual and auditory deficits.

- A timer is a helpful device for a child with Autism. It helps to keep him/her focused throughout the task and alerts the student when time is up.
- Students with Visual or Auditory deficits may benefit from the features on a computer. Enlarging the print size, changing the font or color, or using sound adaptive equipment, such as headphones are all beneficiary in the visual and auditory realm.
- For students with physical disabilities, the motorized wheelchair that allows one to adjust to the vertical setting is proof that technology is advancing. Now one has the option of sitting or standing and remaining mobile.
- Students can take advantage of the Smartpen, as well. This allows a student to record and then dictate words or phrases, while simultaneously writing.

5. What are some of the different software programs and what needs do they support?

- Some different software programs include The Google Classroom, which allows the teacher to assign material designed for the students' particular needs and/or abilities. The Newsela site gives educators the option of altering the reading level to suit the student, while keeping the same article. The Talk-to-Text app. is another hand program. This helps the student who may be having difficulty writing or keeping up with note-taking to reproduce lectures or other important information by talking into the device and recording it to text. Judy Lynn and Northern Grid software programs help students develop motor skills through gaming, and developing skills by introducing students to computers, respectively.