Assistive Technology in the Classroom
Laura Caciolo
2 What is Assistive Technology?
IDEA definition (2004)An assistive technology device is any 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 disabilityNote: this does not
include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such a deviceAn
assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the
selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device
3 In Layman’s Terms…Assistive technology is anything that helps anyone do something they
couldn’t do otherwise (read, write, communicate, hear, see, move, type, etc.)In school based terms:
anything that will help a student function better in the academic settingGive access to the
curriculumAllow participationAllow task completionIndependenceReach broadest learners
4 Levels of Assistive Technology
Low Tech- no electronic component, inexpensive, high availability in classroomsMid Tech- electronic
in nature, less expensive, require less training, often available in many classroomsHigh Tech- often
based on computer technology, may be complicated to operate, require more training, can be
expensive, often powerful and flexible
5 No/Low Tech Examples Pencil Grips Manual Eye Gaze Slant Board P
Highlighters Planner Magnifying BoardPicture ExchangeCommunication System (PECS) Raised
Paper Visual ScheduleEasy to acquire or easy to access easy to create
6 No/Low Tech Examples Continued
Large Print Text Number Lines Page Turners Color Paper Letter Tiles Paper Tabs/Post-it Clamps
100’s Chart StampsCreative
7 Mid Tech ExamplesElectronic spell checker Electronic dictionary Tape/cd playerAudio recorder
Adapted keyboard Portable FM systemAmplification system Timers CalculatorMost schools already
have items, just have to implement
8 Mid Tech Examples Continued
Portable digital magnifier Switches BookwormWord Processor Electronic Pens Label MakerMost
schools already have items, just have to implement
9 High Tech ExamplesComputer iPad Smartboard Eye Gaze Word Prediction Text to Speech
Speech to Text Voice Recognition High Tech Braille Devices
10 High Tech Examples Continued
Power Wheelchairs APPs Software Digital Hearing Aids
11 Implementation in the Classroom
Choose assistive technology based on the individual needs in the classroomChoose assistive
technology that will reach the broadest range of learners (Universally designed learning)Take into
account how to include all students in the classroom, regardless of disabilityThink of resources that
can carry across environments (school to home)Make sure the people working with the students are
trained in using the assistive technologyThink of ways to use the resources that are readily
availableRely on your assistive technology team for training, resources, and recommendationsLook
for motivating and engaging assistive technologyMake sure the classroom set up supports access
for all studentsUse of the smartboardWho would benefitWhat do most student have available at
home?What do you already have that you can adapt or modify?
12 Examples of Use in the Classroom
Record notes for students (writing and audio)Provide visual representations of informationpicture
schedules, model given directions, give visual examples of expectations, pair pictures with words,
etc.Make sure students are seated according to needskeep in mind students with visual
impairments, hearing impairments, communicative disorders, diagnosis such as ADHD, traumatic
brain injury, and AutismAllow for books on tapeStudent with reading impairments benefit from
hearing the book and following alongUse amplification if availableUse of speakers can support
students not only with hearing impairments but those with auditory processing and attention
difficultiesMake sure there are adapted books availableModify books for student with visual, mobility,
and reading impairments.If a student has a communication device, allow time for the student to
participateProgram phrases and vocabulary in ahead of lessons, model for the student what was
added, and demonstrate patienceExamples of Use in the Classroom
13 SETT ProcessIf the student is diagnosed with a disability and needs assistive technology to fully
participate in the academic setting, you can request that the student go through the SETT processS-
Student E- Environment T- Task T- ToolsS- What are the students needs?Environment- Where are
the needs?Task- What does the student need to accomplish?Tools- What assistive technology tools
or services will address and support the tasksThe SETT process involves the entire IEP teamAll
parts of the team should be trained and educated
Assistive Technology in the Classroom
Laura Caciolo
2 What is Assistive Technology?
IDEA definition (2004)An assistive technology device is any 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 disabilityNote: this does not
include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such a deviceAn
assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the
selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device
3 In Layman’s Terms…Assistive technology is anything that helps anyone do something they
couldn’t do otherwise (read, write, communicate, hear, see, move, type, etc.)In school based terms:
anything that will help a student function better in the academic settingGive access to the
curriculumAllow participationAllow task completionIndependenceReach broadest learners
4 Levels of Assistive Technology
Low Tech- no electronic component, inexpensive, high availability in classroomsMid Tech- electronic
in nature, less expensive, require less training, often available in many classroomsHigh Tech- often
based on computer technology, may be complicated to operate, require more training, can be
expensive, often powerful and flexible
5 No/Low Tech Examples Pencil Grips Manual Eye Gaze Slant Board P
Highlighters Planner Magnifying BoardPicture ExchangeCommunication System (PECS) Raised
Paper Visual ScheduleEasy to acquire or easy to access easy to create
6 No/Low Tech Examples Continued
Large Print Text Number Lines Page Turners Color Paper Letter Tiles Paper Tabs/Post-it Clamps
100’s Chart StampsCreative
7 Mid Tech ExamplesElectronic spell checker Electronic dictionary Tape/cd playerAudio recorder
Adapted keyboard Portable FM systemAmplification system Timers CalculatorMost schools already
have items, just have to implement
8 Mid Tech Examples Continued
Portable digital magnifier Switches BookwormWord Processor Electronic Pens Label MakerMost
schools already have items, just have to implement
9 High Tech ExamplesComputer iPad Smartboard Eye Gaze Word Prediction Text to Speech
Speech to Text Voice Recognition High Tech Braille Devices
10 High Tech Examples Continued
Power Wheelchairs APPs Software Digital Hearing Aids
11 Implementation in the Classroom
Choose assistive technology based on the individual needs in the classroomChoose assistive
technology that will reach the broadest range of learners (Universally designed learning)Take into
account how to include all students in the classroom, regardless of disabilityThink of resources that
can carry across environments (school to home)Make sure the people working with the students are
trained in using the assistive technologyThink of ways to use the resources that are readily
availableRely on your assistive technology team for training, resources, and recommendationsLook
for motivating and engaging assistive technologyMake sure the classroom set up supports access
for all studentsUse of the smartboardWho would benefitWhat do most student have available at
home?What do you already have that you can adapt or modify?
12 Examples of Use in the Classroom
Record notes for students (writing and audio)Provide visual representations of informationpicture
schedules, model given directions, give visual examples of expectations, pair pictures with words,
etc.Make sure students are seated according to needskeep in mind students with visual
impairments, hearing impairments, communicative disorders, diagnosis such as ADHD, traumatic
brain injury, and AutismAllow for books on tapeStudent with reading impairments benefit from
hearing the book and following alongUse amplification if availableUse of speakers can support
students not only with hearing impairments but those with auditory processing and attention
difficultiesMake sure there are adapted books availableModify books for student with visual, mobility,
and reading impairments.If a student has a communication device, allow time for the student to
participateProgram phrases and vocabulary in ahead of lessons, model for the student what was
added, and demonstrate patienceExamples of Use in the Classroom
13 SETT ProcessIf the student is diagnosed with a disability and needs assistive technology to fully
participate in the academic setting, you can request that the student go through the SETT processS-
Student E- Environment T- Task T- ToolsS- What are the students needs?Environment- Where are
the needs?Task- What does the student need to accomplish?Tools- What assistive technology tools
or services will address and support the tasksThe SETT process involves the entire IEP teamAll
parts of the team should be trained and educated
