Running head: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive Technology for the Classroom

Casey Owens
Integration of Technology
Mrs. Jolliff
March 4, 2015

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive Technology for the Classroom

Assistive technology is defined as any resource or piece of equipment that is used to
progress the functional competencies of children with disabilities (Assistive, n.d). Passed in
1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act assures that students with disabilities will
be provided a free public education which focuses on special education intended to effectively
meet each students needs (U.S. Department, 2010). Assistive technology used in the classroom
provides students with handicaps with the same educational opportunities, experiences, and
advantages as the students without disabilities.
Children are exposed to numerous subject matters and knowledge through reading. Even
so, students who have visual or cognitive disabilities often do not experience the advantages of
reading. The Bookworm was designed to meet this growing need. The Bookworm is a handheld
device in which teachers can read and record a book so that students with
handicaps have easy access to a book. The device comes with a SD card to
store audio books, has a headphone jack for quiet listening, and provides an
access port for switch devices so a student can manageably control the reading of the story. The
Bookworm can be purchased from AbleNet Inc. and can be found on their website for the price
of $199.00.
The Audable Listening Device was designed to reduce background noise for those who
have trouble hearing. The device comes with a built in and removable microphone that amplifies
noises from where they originated, enabling a student to focus on what is being
said whether it is by a teacher or video. The Audable can be clipped to a belt or
lanyard for easy access and has a 200 hour battery life. The device is sold by
Flaghouse Inc. on their website and is priced at $99.95.

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It is highly significant for children to have access to computers and keyboards due to the
expanding field of technology. The Big Blue KinderBoard provides
students who possess motor-skill impairments with a unique approach to
learning vowels, consonants, numbers, and how to type on a keyboard.
They keys are large and color-coded which helps students recognize and
distinguish each key. The KinderBoard connects to older and newer computer models through a
USB cord. It is sold by Ablenet Inc. and can be purchased from their website for the price of
$54.95.
Technology such as the Candy 5 HD II assists students who experience blindness or low
vision. The video magnifier portrays an enlarged image of what a student is trying to view or
read. The device has many features such as a close-up to near-distance view, a mirror image, an
image capture which saves up to five images at a time, and a rechargeable battery.
The magnifier can be handheld or used on a stand; both providing easy
mobility

and comfort. The Candy 5 HD II is manufactured by HIMS, Inc. and can

be found on their website for the price of $695.00.

The BIGTrack Trackball enables students with motor-skill impairments to guide a mouse
on a computer screen. The big ball in the center and the oversized buttons enable
students to find items on a computer and click on them in an efficient manner.
The device is connected to computers through a USB cord and is well-suited for
Windows or Macintosh computers. The trackball can be purchased on the Flaghouse Inc.
website for $125.00.
IntelliKeys USB is a keyboard designed for students with physical, visual, or cognitive
handicaps that prevent them from being able to use a standard keyboard. IntelliKeys approaches
what can be difficult concepts for students with disabilities with manageable methods that are

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

easier to understand. There are several overlays for the keyboard that help students in a range of
subject areas such as learning the alphabet, basic writing, QWERTY, and math. The keyboard
gains access to a computer system through a USB port. Features include
oversized keys with various colors enabling students to recognize and locate
specific keys. IntelliKeys USB can be purchased from the AbleNet Inc.
website and is priced at $395.00.
Assistive technology enables students with disabilities to connect with teachers, parents,
and classmates. There are countless devices and software designed to give students a sense of
independence while also ensuring they receive the best educational support available. The
resources and equipment used in the classroom not only help improve the students development
in education, the technology also prepares the students for everyday life.

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5
References

Assistive Technology to Meet K12 Student Needs. (n.d). American Institutes for Research.
Retrieved March 3, 2015, from
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te7assist.htm
Audable Listening Device. (2015). Flaghouse. Retrieved March 3, 2015, from
http://www.flaghouse.com/Audable-Listening-Device-item-40452
Big Blu KinderBoard. (2015). AbleNet. Retrieved March 3, 2015, from
http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Chester-Creek/Big-Blu-Boards
BIGTrack Trackball. (2015). Flaghouse. Retrieved March 3, 2015, from
http://www.flaghouse.com/BIGTrack-Trackball-item-39680
Bookworm. (2015). AbleNet. Retrieved March 3, 2015, from
http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Learning-Technology/Bookworm
Candy 5 HD II. (2015). HIMS. Retrieved March 3, 2015, from http://himsinc.com/products/candy-5-hd/
IntelliKeys USB. (2015). AbleNet. Retrieved March 3, 2015, from
http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/IntelliTools/IntelliKeys-USB
U.S. Department of Education. (2010). Thirty-five Years of Progress in Educating Children With
Disabilities Through IDEA. Retrieved March 3, 2015, from
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/idea35/history/idea-35-history.pdf