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EDSP 618 Technology for Special Needs Students
Assistive Technology

This wiki book created by students in the EDSP 618 class at the University Of Louisville looks at devices and software that may be used for students with special needs in schools and explores the meaning of Universal Design for Learning.

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**What is Assistive Technology?** Assistive Technology is defined in a federal law for students with disabilities called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA, PART A. SEC. 602. DEFINITIONS

The term "assistive technology device" means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.
 * (1) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE **

**(2) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICE** The term "assistive technology service" means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

Assistive technology is provided for a student to support the student's ability to have access to the general education curriculum in the least restrictive environment possible.

The assistive technology needs of a student are related to functional needs in the areas of motor skills, vision, hearing, and speech.

Universal Design for Learning media type="custom" key="20641161" media type="custom" key="21373362"

By definition, universal design for learning (UDL) is the design of instructional materials and methods that makes learning goals achievable by individuals with wide differences in their abilities. Universal design is attained by means of flexible curricular materials and activities that provide alternatives for students. As much as possible, these "designed-in" alternatives, which include different assistive technologies and cognitive supports, do not have to be added by teachers. However, effective use of the materials requires that the teacher be familiar with the various teaching strategies necessary to reach students of widely varying abilities, and many teachers are not. UDL is an approach to learning in which curriculum designers have considered the scope of student abilities and learning styles, taking into account varying abilities to see, hear, speak, move, read, write, comprehend English, attend, organize, engage, and remember. They then create a "package" of classroom resources and situations that can be used as desired to meet the needs of these individuals. UDL encourages learning through a combination of flexible materials and methods that provide access, challenge, and engagement for each student.