Assistive Technology

There are many ways that educators can enhance the learning of students with disabilities. One of those ways is by using assistive technology. "Regardless of the specific application of technology, the general goal is always the same: to harness the potential of technology in ways that offer an individual with a disability increased opportunities that otherwise would not be available" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 408).

There are many students that have a mild disability such as a learning disability. "Current estimates indicate that 3.8 million students, ages 6 to 21, have a mild disability (U.S. Department of Education, 2000), representing more than 71% of the students receiving special education services" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 415).
One way to help these students with writing would be to use word processing. This can help students put their ideas on paper without having to worry about spelling, grammar, the steps of the writing process, neatness, or reading ability.

One goal of working with students that have moderate to severe disabilities is to provide them with ways to to develop daily living skills. Educators need to be familiar with software that is available that can help a student gain independence through repetitive practice, simple instructions, and life skills content. "To simplify the physical or cognitive demands of interacting with the computer, alternate keyboards, such as the Intellikeys keyboard (Intellitools), can be used to create customized keyboards" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p.417).

Students that have physical disabilities can also take advantage of assistive technology. "Difficulties with motor movements may involve gross or fine motor movement and frequently exist concurrently with other disabilities" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 418.) To help these students, educators can use larger or smaller keyboards, electronic pointing devices that control the cursor on screen without the use of hands, joysticks that can be controlled with hands, feet, chin, etc., or Braille embossers that transfer computer generated text into Braille.

Another type of disability that a student may have is a sensory disability. These can involve hearing, vision, or touch. For students with visual impairments, using assistive technology can enlarge displays on the computer monitor. Other ways to help students with visual disablities are using canes, using tools that convert printed material into audio material, using screen readers, and by using Braille. "Individuals with hearing impairments need few modifications to be able to use computers" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 419). There are few adaptations available since sound is used very little in word processing or email. FM amplification systems are now being used in the classroom. These devices amplify the teacher's voice for the hearing impaired student.

Students who are considered at-risk can also benefit from assistive technology. "Students at risk for school failure are not considered disabled in the sense of the federal definition of disability. However, their lack of success in school often parallels the low performance of students with disabilities" (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 419). Using computers can help students who have attention problems and can also help students who lack motivation.

"Heward (2000) says that, according to the Gifted and Talented Children's Act of 1978, gifted and talented students are those "possessing demonstrated or potential abilities that give evidence of high performance capability in such areas as intellectual, creative, specific academic or leadership ability, or in the performing or visual arts, and why be reason thereof require services or activties not ordinarily provided by the school" (PL 95;-561, Title IX, Section 902, p. 534)." (Robyler & Doering, 2013, p. 420). Educators have an endless supply of technology to assist with gifted and talented students. They can use laptops, word processing, internet, create blogs, use facebook, and use twitter to enhance their learning.

As educators, it is our job to meet the needs of all of our students. Using assistive technology can enable us to meet the needs of our disabled students whether it is a mild disability, a severe disability, a physical disability, a sensory disability, an at-risk student, or a student that is gifted or talented.