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Assistive
Technology
What
is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is any type of mechanical aid or
modification that helps people with disabilities perform
functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
Assistive technology ranges from low-tech items such
as pencil grips, adapted spoons, and curb cuts in the
sidewalk to high-tech devices such as computers and
voice synthesizers.
Assistive
Technology can help people with disabilities gain access
to programs and activities where participation may otherwise
be difficult. Technology should support normal social
and professional interactions with peers and improve
quality of life.
Who
needs assistive technology?
There is no age requirement to use assistive technology.
Assistive technology can often enhance the development
of infants and toddlers and help with the tasks of daily
living for people of all ages. Under the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) students with
special needs have a legal right to access technology
that assists them with learning. To learn more about
assistive technology and its role in education please
view the Family Guide to Assistive Technology at http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html#1.
How
do I get assistive technology?
Funding is available from an array of private and public
sources. Some insurance plans cover medical-related
devices. Civic groups and foundations also provide funds
for members of the community. A listing of civic organizations
for each town within Prince George’s County can
be found at http://www.prge.lib.md.us/Community/CountyCities.html.
Government funding sources may also pay for assistive
technology. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid,
and Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
funded programs often have provisions for assistive
devices.
School-aged
children have the right to access technology that assists
their learning, but the technology must be written into
the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). Parents
should actively engage in the process of creating the
IEP to ensure that necessary technology is written into
the plan for their child. Many school curricula are
now building assistive technology (such as audio CDs,
computer programs, and large print versions) into the
basic framework of each lesson. Parents should discuss
their child’s needs, the current curriculum, and
assistive devices with the IEP team.
More
information:
For more information about assistive technology in Prince
George’s County Public Schools contact the assistive
technology department at 301-567-8494.
Contact the PGCPS Parent Center at 301-431-5675 for
a schedule of trainings on assistive technology.
The
Maryland Assistive Technology Co-op offers trainings
and discounted purchasing for assistive technology.
Visit their website at www.matcoop.org.
Please
click here to view other Assistive Technology Resources.
What
is out there?
Assistive technology devises range in complexity level
and can be as simple as bumped handwriting paper or
as complex as a Braille printer. Multiple types of assistive
technology are currently on the market. A small sampling
is included here:
Hardware
products
- Alternative
keyboards
-
Alternative curser controls including eye tracking
and breath systems
-
Touch screens
-
Braille output printers
Software
products
-
Voice to text programs
-
Screen magnifiers
-
Screen readers
Durable
Medical Equipment
-
Wheeled mobility products
-
Walking products
-
Seating products
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