14 Categories of Disabilities
by Arianna Jezari
1. Visual Impairment (Including Blindness)
1.1. Intervention Strategy
1.2. Assistive Technology: Enlarged images, books on tapes, Braille keyboard, on screen text reader.
1.3. Modification: Reduced assignments, altering assignments to make them easier, providing hints or clues to assignments.
2. Other Health Impairment
2.1. Modifications: Extra time to complete assignments, shortened assignments, for students with ADHD: cues to focus, organizational modifications behavioral plans
2.2. Assistive Technologies: For ADHD learners: games and activities that will build focus and concentration.
2.3. Intervention Strategy
3. Deaf-Blindness
3.1. Assistive Technology: Perkins Brailler, deaf-blind communicator (DBC), large display calculator
3.2. Modifications: Decrease length, reduce amount, or complete a task analysis of assignments,Emphasize major points and provide frequent comprehension checks, Provide extra time for completing activities and assignments.
3.3. Case Study: Jon
3.4. Intervention Strategy
4. Traumatic Brain Injury
4.1. Intervention Strategy
4.1.1. Project specifications
4.1.2. End User requirements
4.1.3. Action points sign-off
4.2. Assistive Technology: Tape recorders, calculators, augmentative communication devices, timers, alarms
4.2.1. Define actions as necessary
4.3. Modifications: Preferential seating, provide small group instruction, provide student with written schedule, limit the number of people that interact with student daily, select classroom buddy
5. Specific Learning Disability
5.1. Modifications: alternative testing arrangements, extended time to complete assignments, allow student to stand at desk if necessary, break assignments into small steps, modify/shorten assignments.
5.2. Assistive Technologies: Portable word processors, speech-recognition programs, electronic math worksheets, audio books and publications, alternative keyboards
5.3. Intervention Strategy
6. Deafness
6.1. Assistive Technology: Vibrating alarms, text messaging, flashing light alerting device,
6.2. Modifications: Extra time to complete assignments, step by step directions, buddy system for notes, use of visual supplements (chalkboard, overhead, charts and lecture outlines), use alternative tests
6.3. Intervention Strategy
7. Developmental Delay
7.1. Assistive Technologies: Visual cards, tablets, ipads.
7.1.1. Schedule
7.1.2. Budget
7.2. Modification: Avoid a lot of worksheet, pen and pencil tasks, cover bookshelves for distractions, create routine, allow for standing and movement times,
7.2.1. KPI's