Looking Back

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What Have We Learned about Technology
Applications and Assistive Technology Research?
Class 2 Assistive, Instructional, and
Administrative Applications of Technology/Spring,
2008

• Looking Back

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For most of us, technology makes things easier.
For a person with a disability, it makes things
possible.J. Heumann
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Groundbreaking Public Policy Document

• OTA Report
• Technology and Handicapped People
• (U.S.Congress, Office of Technology Assessment,
  1982).

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How do you see this type of evolution in
comparison with todays approach to building on
evidence-based practices?How do we continue to
scale-up and capture the potential of technology
for individuals with disabilities?
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II. Hannaford (1993)

• Much of what is presented as being known about
  the use of computers with exceptional persons is
  actually what is believed, felt, or hoped. While
  there is an increasing amount of research and
  evaluation support associated with various uses
  of technology, there is still relatively little
  empirical support for many statements found in
  the popular literature.

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The Pre Computer Age Continuum
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vko8QeSl2lFg
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vU2AvOq9d42Q
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Pre Computer Milestones

• 1808 Precursor of Braille/raised dots for
  sending military messages at night
• 1834 Braille Code developed6 dot system
• 1892 Braille Typewriter
• 1900 Electrical amplifying device for
  individuals who were hard of hearing
• 1928 Radios given to citizens who are blind
  seeing eye dogs introduced
• 1934 Printed visagraphto enlarge print
• 1947 Perkins Brailler printing large type books
• 1953 Megascope project and magnify printed
  materials
• 1960 Teaching machines and programmed learning
• 1966 The laser cane is developed
• 1972 Pocket size braille writer
• 1974 Braille calculator
• 1975 Talking calculator

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The Reading Machine Then

• Source Popular Science Monthly, June 1932
• BLIND CAN NOW 'SEE' PRINT AND PICTURES
• "FOR the first time blind persons may actually
  'see' pictures and read newsprint and typewritten
  letters, through the 'visible.
• Source Time Magazine, 1931
• Reading Machine
• Monday, Apr. 27, 1931
• The visagraph works as follows slim beams of
  light are reflected from a printed page into a
  selenium cell which translates the blank and
  printed patches into various electrical
  frequencies. The currents operate electromagnets
  which drive pins against a sheet of aluminum. The
  aluminum progressively becomes embossed with
  letters as the master light roves across the
  original page. The blind thereby can feel the
  upcoming words almost as fast as the eye can see.

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The Reading Machine Now

• http//www.ndu.com/speakeasy.html?gclidCP-q3LL9r5
  ECFQa0HgodtTaLWQ

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The Megascope

• http//www.luikerwaal.com/newframe_uk.htm?/fabrika
  nten_hk_uk.htm

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Impact of Computers

• Computer assisted and multimedia instruction for
  children with learning difficulties
• Synthetic speech for non-vocal children
• Assistive and adaptive equipment for those with
  physical disabilities, sensory impairments,
  communication disorders, and learning
  disabilities
• Translation of printed text into spoken text for
  people with visual impairments and reading
  disabilities

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Impact of Computers

• Use of virtual reality to train students how to
  operate wheelchairs
• Computer-generated IEPs
• Computerized databases of information about
  assistive technologies
• Devices to enable the enlargement of text
  materials for those with visual impairments
• Voice recognition systems to enable people who
  cannot write to produce written text

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Impact of Computers

• Searchable databases related to special education
  literature and related services
• Robotic arms that can be used to assist people
  who are paralyzed
• Robust performance support technologies
• Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD)

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Impact of Computers

• Multimedia/interactive video
• UDL
• Internet/websites/web. 2.0 tools

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Looking at Technology Today Continuum

• N o Low High

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No Tech

• Systematic teaching routines, procedures or
  contributions of related services personnelPT or
  OT

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Low Tech

• Adapted spoon handles, Velcro fasteners, raised
  desks
• Mid Tech (videos, DVDs, RFBD tools, projection
  devices)

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High Tech

• Computers, interactive multi-media systems
• Performance support applications

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Consideration

• When planning.start with no/low tech and move
  upto enable a student to function in as many
  environments as possible.

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Back in Time..

• Mid 60s trend emergedconcept of instructional
  technology. http//www.youtube.com/watch?vPhburQa
  l89k
• 1970sTechnology involved more than just hardware

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Back in Time

• 1980s
• IT further defined in a comprehensive review
• Blackhurst Hofmeister
• Review identified two types of technology
  applications in special education
• Media technology
• focus on devices
• Systems technology
• systematic approach to instruction

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Back in Time..

• 1990s
• Rapid growth of microcomputer technology
• Increased research on instructional procedures
• Continuous invention of new devices to aid
  individuals with health problems, physical
  disabilities, and sensory impairments

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21st Century

• Six Types of Technology (Blackhurst Lahm, 2000)
• Technology of Teaching
• Instructional Technology
• Assistive Technology
• Medical Technology
• Technology Productivity Tools
• Information Technology

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Technologies of Teaching

• Instructional approaches
• that are systematically designed and applied in
  precise ways

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Instructional Technology

• More than just projection devices, equipment,
  video recordersmore than just hardware.
• In addition to devices, IT involves a systematic
  way of designing, carrying out, and evaluating
  the total process of learning and teaching.

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Assistive Technology

• AT employs various types of services and devices
  to help people with disabilities function within
  the environment.

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Medical Technology

• THEME
• as knowledge expands and computer chips become
  more powerful and smaller remarkable medical
  technologies will continue to emerge.

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Technology Productivity Tools

• Computer software, hardware, and related systems
  that enable people to work more effectively and
  efficiently.

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Information Technology

• Provides access to knowledge and resources on a
  wide range of topics
• Clearinghouses, portals, learning communities,
  etc.

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Major Federal Initiatives

• P.L. 94-142 (1975)/IDEA
• Required AT to be considered for each student
  with an IEP.
• School personnel required to develop policies and
  procedures for meeting this provision of the law.
• P.L. 99-506 (1986)/Sec 508
• Amended Rehab Act of 1973 adding Section 508.
• Required access to computers and other electronic
  office equipment in places of federal employment.
• P. L. 100-407 (1988)/Tech Act
• Provided funding for statewide systems and
  services to provide AT devices and services to
  individuals with disabilities includes outreach
  to parents
• Conduct needs assessments, identify technology
  resources, provide AT services and conduct public
  awareness programs
• Provided definitions of AT and other devices and
  services
• P. L. 101-336 American Disabilities Act (1990)
• Broadened definition of those who are considered
  to have disabilities. Broadened agencies and
  employers covered by Sec. 508 requirements
• Mandates additional protections
• Accessible public transportation systems
• Communication systems
• Access to public buildings

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IDEA 2004

• Assistive technology device
• 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.

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IDEA 2004

• Assistive technology service
• Any service that directly assists a child with a
  disability in the selection, acquisition, or use
  of an assistive technology device.

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SEIMC Network

• 1964 funding for two prototype Special Education
  Instructional Materials Centers (SEIMCs) to
  explore ways to make instructional technologies
  more accessible to special education teachers.
• National network established
• Disbanded but with a strong legacy
• CEC journalTeaching Exceptional Children (1968)
• Association for Special Education Technology
  (1972)
• Special Education Technology (JSET) (1978)
• Technology and Media (CEC Division) (1984)
• Publishes JSET

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