Web-Based Assistive Technology                 

    Welcome to "Web-based Instruction in Assistive Technology for School Personnel".  This course was designed for a number of reasons.  First, society's utilization of technology continues to rise. You and I would find it very difficult to conduct our daily business in the absence of assistive technology. Daily, we use telephones, computers, electronic mail, pagers and cell phones.    In addition, the use of instructional technology is beginning to permeate our classrooms.  Consequently, we need to be broadening our knowledge of how technology can benefit our students with disabilities so we can offer them the most appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.  Technology will also be the link that facilitates our students' abilities to compete in the workplace and attend college.

    In this course, we will concentrate on those assistive technology tools we feel have the greatest applicability in the school setting: seating and positioning aids, mobility aids, communication devices, alternative writing devices, and environmental control systems.   Throughout the semester, you will develop the skills necessary to evaluate for assistive technology tools and implement the use of technology aids and devices within the context of your curriculum.  At the end of the course, you will receive hands-on training on all the assistive aids and devices you see throughout the course.

    What is assistive technology? According to Federal Law PL 100-404, Technical Assistance to the States Act, assistive technology is "Any item, piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commercially off
the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities".  This means that technically, ANYTHING that would facilitate a person's ability to be more
functional in their daily activities would be considered assistive technology.So simple, low cost solutions such as pencil grips and lined paper as well as high technology computerized communication systems fall under the
category of assistive technology.