Assistive Technology

Organized around the theme of universal design, this guide to assistive technology discusses the knowledge and skills educators need to know in order to determine the appropriate use of technology and services to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. The text provides an overview and introduction to the topic of assistive technology, evaluating various technologies for classroom use, and using assistive technology with special needs students of a diverse range of disabilities, including the young child with special needs, students with high incidence disabilities, positioning and mobility for students with physical disabilities, students with communication disorders, and sensory impairments. It further discusses AT in relation to transitioning, distance learning, and the ethical standards of practice. The new edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect the most recent AT beneficial to students requiring such special accommodations, including links to websites of current AT devices, and software for use in the classroom, and a new chapter on Universal Design for Learning and Response to Intervention and how to combine the two techniques to provide students with access to the general education curriculum. This edition also features more on ethics and assistive technology use for consideration of all students, new chapter introductions, questions for reflection, end-of-chapter review material, and extended coverage of diversity related to assistive technology and the classroom. Designed to provide useful information and strategies for candidates in teacher education programs and those practicing educators, the book is also useful to and any other professional or layperson interested in assistive technology and learning for all students.