Assistive+Technology+-+Enabling+Dreams

= Watch the video below to see how = = assistive technology is helping people = = fulfill their dreams! =

media type="custom" key="6777175"

=This video shows how the use of assistive technology can literally change people's lives. Assistive technology (AT) can be something as complex as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) or as simple as a rubber pencil grip. Just about everyone has used some type of AT. I use it every day. I use my laptop for note-taking, homework assignments, tests, and my calendar reminders. I also use my cell phone for reminders and alarms. Another type of AT that I use is my reading glasses; I wouldn't be able to read small print without them. A few more ways that I use AT are the use of Post-it Notes to mark important areas in books, different color highlighters to differentiate important information and vocabulary, a micro-cassette recorder to record and listen to a speech I wrote to help with memorization, and of course, a calculator. We all use AT in our daily lives to make things easier and/or more convenient, but for some people with disabilities, AT is a key to living a productive life and fulfilling their dreams.=

=In the classroom, AT can be very helpful to students with disabilities. Some students, like Susanna in the video above, would not be able to participate and receive the education that they do without the use of AT. I have used many types of AT in my classroom. For one student who had Cerebral Palsy, we used a 3-ring binder as a writing platform. Having this slight angle when writing helped her with her comfort and penmanship and she was able to write for longer periods of time. I have worked with many students with autism and for them, a velcro schedule was used to let the students know what was happening throughout the day and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) was used to facilitate communication. Other AT uses in the classroom include rubber pencil grips, graphic organizers, "wiggly" seat cushions, special ergonomic scissors, hand-held electronic dictionary/thesaurus, and all types of manipulatives. There are AT devices manufactured specifically for students such as a plastic card with a pointing finger to help track while reading, but one can use other things such as a ruler or a sheet of paper. I have also heard that simply laying a clear colored piece of plastic over the page the student is reading can help with tracking.=

**As you can see, there are many types of AT. Things we use in our everyday life, things used in the classroom, and devices to help people with disabilities.** **AT is everywhere!**