Assistive Technology

by | April 19, 2018

Do you know the 3 levels of Assistive Technology?

Langsford recently hosted a presentation on Assistive Technology.  Debra Bauder, Ed.D., Associate Professor at the University of Louisville shared lots of great information with 50 educators from Louisville schools.  This is part of Langsford’s annual Lecture Series.

The 3 levels are:

Some examples are:

Low tech – pencil grips, highlighters, raised -line paper

Medium tech – color-coded keyboards, audio podcasts, audio books

High tech – computer software, power wheelchairs, speech-generating devices

Federal Legislation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates schools to provide Assistive Technology devices and services. The official definition is:

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 the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.

In other words, Assistive Technology devices help to remove obstacles to learning for all students. This includes students with reading disabilities such as dyslexia and writing disabilities such as dysgraphia.  It is important to make the curriculum accessible to all students and provide opportunities for struggling learners to demonstrate what they know using principles of universal design.

Click these links to watch Dr. Bauder’s presentation:

Part 1

Part 2

Dr. Bauder’s presentation slides

A great resource for AT software and services from the Lawrence School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You might also like…

Early Intervention Matters: The Matthew Effect

Early Intervention Matters: The Matthew Effect

You may be reading the title of this blog post and wonder: What is the Matthew effect? Why does early intervention matter? How can I help my struggling reader? We’re here to shed some light on this intriguing phenomenon and how it effects young readers. What is the...

read more
Nurturing Literacy in Young Minds

Nurturing Literacy in Young Minds

In a world illuminated by screens and filled with words, the art of literacy shines as a beacon of knowledge, empowerment, and connection. From the enchanting pages of a novel to the scrolling texts on our devices, literacy serves as the compass guiding us through the...

read more
Stop the Summer Slide!

Stop the Summer Slide!

How do you prevent the “summer slide”? Read, read, read! When kids are engaged in reading during the summer, they are better prepared for the new school year. Luckily, there are many great opportunities to keep them motivated. 1) Here at Langsford, we have 2 options...

read more

Free Download

9 Simple Ways to Boost Your Child’s Reading Confidence

BONUS: How to tell if they’re struggling to read and what to do about it.

9 Simple Ways to Boost Your Child's Reading Confidence

BONUS: How to tell if they're struggling to read and what to do about it. 

Thanks! Check your inbox.