1. Advantages
1.1. Compensates students with disabilities for the impairments they experience. Evens the playing field
1.2. Legally through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) assistive technology must be every student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
1.3. Immediate feedback from technology provides motivation and decreases frustration
1.4. Ability for teachers to customize instruction easily. Modifications can be made in curriculum in a timely manner, making time for enriching all students education
1.5. Software enables new teaching methods and advantages (computer-based, manages behavior, expressing self)
2. Reason for technology
2.1. Legal Requirement: the mandates for assistive technology in Special Education is in the U.S. Constitution (IDEA)
2.2. Used as an equalizer- technology evens the playing field with their peers by supporting students with disabilities and impairments (Creates fairness in education)
2.3. Research has shown technology benefits academic performance and learning for students with disabilities
3. Technology Tools
3.1. Written Language
3.1.1. Alternative Keyboards
3.1.2. Word Processors
3.2. Reading
3.2.1. Speech Synthesis
3.2.2. Tape Recorder/Variable Speech Control
3.3. Math
3.3.1. Electronic math worksheets
3.3.2. Talking calulators
4. Apps
4.1. SpeakIt!
4.1.1. Enables interaction between students who are nonverbal to communicate through, saves phrases and reads text aloud. Practice in reading skills
4.2. Dragon Dictation
4.2.1. Types words as they are being said. Students with disabilities involving motor functions benefit from this by seeing their ideas spelled out in front of them without doing the act of typing
4.3. Draw Free for iPad
4.3.1. Works for fine motor skills. Creates opportunity for creativity, makes work more personalized to student
4.4. Visual Manipulatives!
4.4.1. 50 free apps relating to education. Apps focuses on math (decimals, fractions, percents). Easy and fun format for all students to understand