Assistive Technology

Assignment 14:  Assistive Technology

**Part 1**

Go to the Assistive Technology Industry Association website at www.atia.org and click on the AT Resources tab.  Click on the link to What is Assistive Technology?  Read the information provided on this web page.  Write a one-page paper (12-point font; 1-inch margins) answering the following questions:

1.  What is assistive technology?
2.  What is the best practice for choosing the right assistive technology for students?
3.  Who pays for assistive technology in school systems?

**Part 2A**

Go to the Apple Education website at https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ and review the information.  Choose two learning tools that will help students with disabilities get the most out of their device and write a paragraph on each tool describing what it is and how it can be used.  Include how the tool can be incorporated into the classroom.

**Part 2B**

Browse the Special Education App Collection in the iTunes Store at https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewFeature?cc=us&id=1016565218&mt=8.  If you do not have iTunes, use Google to search for an app related to each category. 

Choose one app from each of the following categories, review, and rate each one by writing a brief description of each and explain how it can be used:
1.  Communication
2.  Emotional Development
3.  Motor and Visual Perception
4.  Seeing and Hearing
5.  Language Development
6.  Life Skills
7.  Tracker

**Part 3**
Go to the TeachThought website at https://www.teachthought.com/technology/34-assistive-technology-apps-from-edshelf/ and review the 34 assistive technology apps from Edshelf.  Choose five apps that you would use in your future classroom and align each one with one of these strategies: 
a)  strategies for students with cognitive disabilities
b)  strategies for students with physical disabilities
c)  strategies for students with sensory disabilities
d)  strategies for students with ASD
e)  strategies for students with gifts and talents

Describe how each app would help you integrate technology strategies for special education students.