Assistive+Technology

=Assistive Technology=

Understanding AT and its Implementation
Alberta Education has defined Assistive Technology (AT) for Learning as "[the] media and services used in learning to overcome barriers for students with physical, sensory, cognitive, speech, learning or behavioural special needs to actively engage in learning and to achieve their individual goals." These tools are actively employed in all classrooms and are used to "break down the barriers to learning" which exist for many learning disabled students. In addition, these tools can be used to enhance the learning of other "able" students within our contexts.

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For consideration when **implementing** AT
 * SETT Framework (Zabala, 2005)**
 * S**tudent: What are the student's individual needs?
 * E**nvironment: Within the specific environment.
 * T**ask: To participate in the task
 * T**ools: Which leads to the potential tools which can be used to accomplish the task
 * Assistive Technology should be considered for all students with a disability, irregardless of the severity.
 * IPP development should consider AT implementation for students (AB Education)
 * The IPP team should consider the student, the environment, the goals and the tasks when considering the child's needs.
 * Explore a range of options

**Examples of Assistive Technology**
Assistive Technology can range from very low tech examples (pencil grips, highlighters, magnifying glasses) to very high tech examples (lap tops, Braille Readers, iPads). However, with the advent of cell phones, tablets, and "apps" some of the difficulty of Assistive Technology, related to various disabilies.

There are many simple and complex applications to assist the learner enhance communication. These tools can be used in the classroom to assist emerging learners recognize letters and letter sounds, they can be used to assist high school students record notes, or they can be used to assist employers explain complicated processes which can then be shared with all employees. The following is an abridged list of some helpful communication tools and apps available on mobile devices:
 * Communication**
 * Cameras
 * Text to Speech
 * [|Dragon Diction]
 * [|Autism Express]
 * [|Doodle Buddy]
 * [|Hairy Letters]
 * [|Dexteria]
 * [|Panda Pal]

Visually impaired learners can access a number of tools to assist them in their learning and throughout the day. Again, these may be simple applications or tools, or quite complex. Applications for the visually impaired may include Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) programs such as Aridane GPS, they may include applications such as Hey Tell, which acts as walkie talkie and is capable of recording messages and texts, or Color ID, which when used like a camera, can identify various colors in the room to help the user determine what color a wall might be, or what color their shirt and tie are. The following is an abridged list of applications:
 * Visually Impaired Learners **
 * GPS
 * [|Aridane GPS]
 * [|Voice Brief]
 * [|HeyTell]
 * Color ID

//Assistive technology for learning//. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://education.alberta.ca/admin/technology/atl.aspx

//Sharing the SETT framework.// (2013). Retrieved from http://www.joyzabala.com/

//Quality indicators for assistive technology services. (2012). Retrieved from// http://natri.uky.edu/assoc_projects/qiat/qualityindicators.html

//iTunes. (2013). Retrieved// from http://www.apple.com/ca/itunes/

//8 apps to recommend for visually impaired patients.// (2012, February 7). Retrieved from http://www.optometrystudents.com/8-apps-for-visually-impaired- patients/