Assistive Technoloy

Chances are, if you are teaching inclusion classes, your experience with assistive technology is quite limited. If you have resource classes or self-contained special education classes, then your assistive technology knowledge is much greater. However, that does not mean you'll never experience assistive technology in your inclusive class. In one of my classes, my co-teacher and I use an FM System for one student. She is not deaf or hard of hearing, but the FM System helps her to stay on-task and hear directions more clearly. Depending on the disability, the level of acaccommodations and modifications obviously increases. Using assistive technology is a great tool for accommodating students' needs.

A great website for learning about assistive technology and researching specific materials is Closing the Gap Solutions. Here you will find the ability to search a resource directory based on the disability and the need. You can search hardware, software, or other adaptive materials for whatever your students need! You can also research articles and resources for understanding and using assistive technology under current issues and archives. The best part is the webinars! Although they cost money, you could sign up to learn about instructional techniques and "How-To" seminars. What's a better way to learn than to see it in action, right?!

For more information, read about assistive technology from:
Murawski, W.W., & Spencer, S. (2011). Collaborate, communicate, & differentiate! How to increase student learning in today’s diverse schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.