Chapter+1+Reflections

Reflections of Chapter 1

Introduction to Assistive Technology

Assistiove Technology is a new tool in the education and wellbeing lifestyle present today. People with disabilities used to be treated as though they had no value. The people with disabilities have proved that they can function as valuable members of society with varying amounts of assistance. The federal government has started to enact to protect the rights of these disabled individuals. One such law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act ( IDEA 2004). This law establishes two parts: assistive technology devices and assistive technology services.

Asssitive Technology devices are any piece of equipment that is used to assist an individual. This assistance may take the form of hearing, seeing, communicating, walking, sitting, eating, and even educating themselves. Many disabled individuals are even able to work at a job, they pay their taxes, shop and prepare food, do chores around the house, and lead normal productive lives the same as individuals without disabilities. These devices may be as simple as a pencil holder or a magnifying glass to specialized computers to synthesize speech. There are Low-Tech Tools, Mid-Tech Tools, and High-Tech Tools. Anything can be used or modified to fit the particular need and assist the disabled person.

Assistive Technology services is sny service that assists an individual withdisbilities, find and select, an acquire or use any assistive technology devices. This may be physical, occupational, or speech therapists to help them find the equipment to assist the individual.

One of the provisions of the IDEA (2004) law is the establishment of Individual Educational Plans (IEP). Prior to the IEP, the student will be evaluated by creditable individuals to determine if there is a basis for the need for Special Educationand establish suggestions to provide for the need. The IEP team consists of social worker, the parents, a general education teacher, a special education teacher, a child study team member, and occupational and/or physical therapists if needed and provided by the school system. //A successful IEP session has all parties invilved in agreement with the .//

//Concept of Universal Design is define as "the design of products and enviroments to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation of specialized design."// //Cut curbs, automatic doors, elevators, and captioned televisions are some examples of enviromental modifications that have been made. These changes help both handicapped as well as non-handicapped individuals.//