THE LATEST ASSITIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES FOR INCLUSIVE AND

INTERGATED CLASSROOMS

A.PETER JOSEPH RAJ

M.Ed Scholar
JJ College of Education
Pudukkottai-622422
ABSTRACT

Assistive technology is designed to help students who have learning disabilities. Whether
students have physical impairments, dyslexia or cognitive problems, assistive technology can
help them to function within the classroom. These tools include any type of equipment or device
that helps students to compensate for their learning disabilities. While they are unable to
eliminate learning problems entirely, they can help students to capitalize on their strengths and
minimize their weaknesses An important development in modern special education is the advent
of assistive and adaptive technologies that teachers can use to help their students learn and
achieve at the highest levels possible. The vast majority of students with special needs do not
have cognitive impairments. Many of these students can learn and perform as well as those
without disabilities when given adjustments to certain aspects of their environment to
accommodate for various physical disabilities. And educators can make many simple
accommodations for students with cognitive disabilities to similarly help maximize their learning
in the inclusive classroom. . Among the most innovative technologies available today. This paper
aims to study the current status of the various Assistive Technology facilities available for the
people with disabilities

Keyword: assistive technology,inclusive class room,integrated classroom

INTRODUCTION

In all educational institutions including special institutions generally, students with

special needs come with a number of questions. For example, what sort of technological tools
can help them in getting education like their counter parts? Such questions vary from person to
person depending upon his/her needs. Hence, it becomes necessary on the part of teachers and
manufacturers to know the specific needs of these people and the concepts like assistive
technology, universal design and accessibility. Assistive devices are important in supporting
people with disabilities in activities of daily life, and inclusion and contribution to community
life. Assistive devices may enable children with disabilities to access education and go on to
productive employment. In this way assistive devices contribute to break the vicious cycle of
poverty and disability.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive technology (AT) is any device, piece of equipment or system that helps a
person with a disability work around his challenges so he can learn, communicate or simply
function better. How might it help your child? There are many kinds of AT that help kids with
learning and attention issues. These tools can help them work around their challenges while
playing to their strengths. This helps them become more successful, productive students. At the
same time, their confidence and independence can grow.

To a large extent, assistive technologies are found useful in creating new abilities for children
and adults with disabilities including sensory, cognitive, learning and physical disabilities. This
allows these students to independently complete their assignments, examinations and other
academic activities. Some examples of assistive technologies are: touch control devices,
alternative keyboards and mouse, speech-to-text word recognition tools, Word prediction
programs, word processors, grammar checkers, scanners, compact disc recording (CD-R and
CD-RW) drives and spell checkers { Petty,2012 }.

Hence, we can say that Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with
disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
Assistive technology can include mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, as well as
hardware, software, and peripherals that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or
other information technologies. For example, people with limited hand function may use a
keyboard with large keys or a special mouse to operate a computer, people who are blind may
use software that reads text on the screen in a computer-generated voice, people with low vision
may use software that enlarges screen content, people who are deaf may use a TTY (text
telephone), or people with speech impairments may use a device that speaks out loud as they
enter text via a keyboard.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH VISUAL

IMPAIRMENT

A student who is visually impaired but does not have any cognitive disabilities
should be able participate fully in the general education classroom, given assistive devices
appropriate to that student’s level of vision. These can be thought of merely as tools, as
with any other writing or reading device. Screen reader software will dictate text on a
computer to the student. A host of braille writing and refreshable reading display
equipment exists so students can read (and write) silently. Screen and video magnifiers
enlarge text to assist students with mild visual impairment. Various adaptive keyboards
help students develop hands-free typing skills. Computer programs and apps for tablets
come equipped with gesture-based commands and text-to-speech modes to facilitate non-
visual use.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING

IMPAIRMENTS

Hearing impairments refer to any type or degree of auditory disorder, from mild hearing
loss to complete deafness. They also affect people to varying degrees. Hearing loss refers to an
impairment where some ability to hear has been lost, whereas, deafness refers to an extreme
inability to discriminate conversational speech through the ear. People who cannot use their ears
for communication are considered deaf, while those with some residual hearing are considered
hard of hearing (Andrew, 2004). A hearing impairment manifests as a reduction in sensitivity to
sounds that may be accompanied by some loss in the ability to correctly interpret auditory
stimuli, even when the stimuli are amplified. Hearing impairments vary by degree, locus of
pathology, and cause. They may be permanent or transient (Andrew, 2004). Regardless of the
degree of hearing impairment, from minimal hearing loss to complete deafness, there are AT
strategies and devices that can help overcome hearing loss.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH

COMMUNICATION IMPAIRMENTS

Communication impairments are conditions that interfere with a person’s ability to

understand or process information or express one's self in an auditory manner. Although some
communication impairments are medical conditions that manifest from birth, most are
traditionally considered secondary impairments or results of more severe impairments such as
Cerebral Palsy or a hearing impairment. Communication impairments can significantly affect the
clarity and content of one's speech. They can also be related to a comprehension deficit that
results in ineffective verbal communication. For people with communication impairments, there
are various AT solutions ranging from low tech to high tech. The ideal device (low to high tech)
for each individual to use is often determined by the level of physical or cognitive impairment as
well as affordability.
ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Assistive devices are external devices that are designed, made, or adapted to assist a
person to perform a particular task. (WHO CBR Guidelines 2011).Any device that is used to
enhance a person’s working ability is called a special device or assistive technology. In other
words, assistive technology means alternative or adaptive specialized hardware and software,
including input and output devices designed for users with various disabilities (Ramakrishna T.
2009, Petty, R.E. 2012 ) defines assistive technology as ‘Software or hardware that has been
specifically designed to assist people with disabilities in carrying out daily activities’. These
technologies help the students with learning and physical disabilities to actively participate in
inclusive teaching and learning tasks such as writing, reading and for doing mathematics.
Assistive Technologies (AT) is a broad concept, covering virtually anything that might be used
to compensate for lack of certain abilities (Reed & Bowser, 2005) ranging from low-tech devices
like crutches or a special grip for a pen, to more advanced items like hearing aids and glasses, to
high-tech devices such as braillers and computers with specialized software for helping
dyslectics to read (WHO, 2009). Despite the positive impact and advancement of AT over years,
prior research on the use of AT in inclusive education is few and limited to developed countries.
For example, a Canadian study examines how one can help students with special needs for
assistive technologies to smoothly transit from elementary to secondary school (Specht et al.,
2007). Similarly, a Norwegian study examines how environmental factors as well as Braille and
assistive technologies affect the learning and literacy of 11 severely visually-impaired students
(Vik, 2008).

INCLUSION IN THE CLASSROOM

Studies suggest inclusion is the most effective solution to create well-rounded individuals
and learning environments. This practice ensures all children are developing social skills and
sound fundamentals at the same times.Inclusion goes beyond the simple “mainstreaming”
illusion. Attempting to mainstream students with special needs is done with the best intentions,
but often this occurs only when there is no instruction. This unintentionally creates a type of
segregation that places students with their peers only on a part time basis for “specials” like art
or music.
The teacher has a monumental job in front of him or her. Luckily there are a variety of assistive
technologies available to supplement lessons so all students are learning and engaged. These
devices promote independence for people with disabilities as they adapt and interact in their
environment.
8 TYPES OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO UTILIZE TODAY
In the past, assistive technology was expensive, cumbersome, and difficult to locate. These units
were bulky and lacked easy mobility which stifled a child’s peer interaction. Today, technology
advancements are easing the job of individualizing lessons and locating materials to create a
scholarly environment for all students.
Here Are 8 Forms Of Assistive Technology To Use In Your Classroom Today:
1. Apps For Tablets.
Combine iPads with communication apps to allow students a variety of ways to convey their
ideas with a tap of the screen. The lightweight and portability of iPads make this easy to use.
2. Encourage positive behavior and parental participation with computer programs.
Class Dojo is a great example of what is available for educators. This program allows students
to receive real-time feedback on behavior and class participation. It is also a great way to
communicate with parents.
3.Look for co-writer word programs that are similar to autocorrect.
This allows children to write and express their ideas on the computer without worrying about
spelling. There are also apps for dysgraphia that allow students to snap an image of their paper
and type in the answers to avoid falling behind in class.
4. Use hearing aid compatible headsets to allow children with hearing impairments or aids
to hear audio better.
These simply fit over a hearing aid and work just like headphones.
5. Smartpens can streamline the writing process.
These writing utensils have the ability to record lectures or spoken words as you write, which
allows the author to focus on writing or listening. Later, they trace the words on the paper to hear
the recording.
6. “Slide boards” or custom made supports for keyboards or tablets.
These wood or plastic frames steady hands while typing or engaging on a screen without limiting
the device.
7. Velcro tabs or small stuffed animals.
Look for small handheld manipulatives that provide stimulation to help calm restless children or
increase focus during lectures or quiet times. These are examples of low-tech assistive
technology.
8. Monitoring software for Smartphones and Internet use.
This is a good recommendation for parents of children with special needs who are using the
Internet on a regular basis. These programs allow parents to view a child’s texts and online
activity to make sure they are not being targeted by cyberbullies or predators.

CONCLUSION

The persons with physically challenged continue to struggle to gain education in

contemporary areas relevant to the market place and their disability. Technological progress has
much to contribute to this state of affairs, with highly inaccessible computerization of many
online educational courses. Educational institutions have been slow to ensure accessibility of
learning materials and environments for these people. Studies show that assistive technologies
significantly help disabled students in general to excel in inclusive teaching and learning. These
technologies comprise a number of products which include a wide variety of software
applications, input devices and hardware which allows the physically challenged students to
perform difficult tasks independently. But ultimately, the educational institutions (school,
colleges or universities) must provide facilities to all students based on the individual needs in
support of their willingness to learn. Inadequate teacher training, lack of awareness,
infrastructural deficiency and high cost are some of the major problems in the use of technology.
But with willingness, appropriate effort and positive outlook these shortcomings can be
overcome. All teachers need training for using assistive technologies and special products
effectively to address the needs of the students with various disabilities. Thus, it is important to
become familiar with the issues surrounding the use of technologies for all individuals who are
involved in policy decisions, teacher training and in the funding of educational technologies. By
working together, Parents, teachers, administrators and students with disabilities and their non-
disabled friends can help to create technology friendly environments in which all students have
opportunities to learn.

REFERENCE

http://www.gpat.org/georgia-project-for-assistive-technology/pages/assistive-technology-
definition.aspx

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/rehabtech/conditioninfo/device

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-
basics/8-examples-of-assistive-technology-and-adaptive-tools