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What I learned:
This website offers different assistive technologies that students can use in the classroom to help with their learning. The website offers different technologies for each disability category. It even lists the price along with a description for each item. The website is mainly directed toward using computers, software, or other electronics for assisting students with disabilities for online activities.

What I Liked:
I liked the fact that the website was split into categories of disabilities. This makes it much easier to search for assistive technologies for an individual with hearing loss or students with poor fine motor skills for example. I also like that this website is not only geared toward students with disabilities. Any students can use these resources.

What I will use in my future classroom:
In my future classroom, I will definitely use the tablet and mobile apps like Talkitt and DyslexiaKey. These simple apps can help students read and communicate with their peers and teachers. With the increase in technology use in the classrooms, any apps like these could be helpful tools that many students have just at the tips of their fingers. I am sure that there are more apps just like these that help with other disabilities as well. However, these are a great start.

Citation:
Using ability hub to find solutions. Ability Hub. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2022, from http://abilityhub.org/

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Ability Hub offers assistive Technology solutions for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult, maybe even impossible. This site includes collective resources to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers.

The following are some frequently asked questions in connection with the use of current technology solutions that are available. Use this as a starting point to the rest of our site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Speech Recognition
What computer program translates spoken word, to text? My child is excellent when dictating thoughts and ideas, but, can't express these thoughts using pencil and paper. Typing using the regular keyboard is very difficult.

Screen Reader
Is there a computer program that reads aloud dialogue window alerts?

Helpful Apps and Tools for Mobile Devices
Are there apps I can download for mobile devices to help?

Speech Recognition
Is there a computer program that allows for hands-free control of the computer?

Touch Screen
Is there a computer monitor with "built-in" sensors that provide activating computer programs with a finger-tip, rather than using a regular mouse?

Antivirus and Anti-Malware
Is there an Antivirus program to stop alterations to assistive speech programs installed on my computer?

Switch Activated EADL
Is there a portable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use device for alerting (paging) caregivers?

Keyboard with Large Print Keys
Is there a keyboard with large print keys? After much use, we have problems keeping the sticky labels attached to the regular keyboard's keys.

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Ability Hub - Assistive Technology Solutions | Ability Hub

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Ability Hub offers assistive Technology solutions for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult, maybe even impossible. This site includes collective resources to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers. The following are some frequently asked questions in connection with the use of current technology solutions that are available.

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This screenshot shows the different tools that the app uses to help students with dyslexia type and read different documents.

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This website is one of the few that defines what assistive technology is and how it can improve the lives of people with disabilities.

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What I learned:
This website shares that they offer assistive technology to students, parents, veterans, seniors, and any other person with disabilities. They also offer individualized services along with training to school districts for people with disabilities. They also work with larger companies, libraries, and governments to create accessible websites for those with disabilities. This website also focuses on assistive technology through computers and software.

What I liked:
I liked that the website offered definitions of what assistive and accessible technology are. I also like that the website is easy to navigate by age and by each of their services. I also enjoyed the videos and external links that were embedded in the website. They made some of parts of the services more understandable.

What I will use in my future classroom:
In the future, I would use the assistive technology assessments as well as the training for students, teachers, and parents. I would also use the forms they have available to involve the parents and get as much information from them as possible about their child. The school intake form would also be helpful to begin referring students for IEP's.

Citation:
Creating digital accessibility since 1983. Center for Accessible Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2022, from https://www.cforat.org/

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The center for accessible technology has been working to make the digital world available to everyone since 1983.

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This is a photo from the website that shows an example of a modification to a vehicle for a person in a wheelchair.

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What I learned:
The website offers specific types of assistive technology for each disability. They are not only resources to be used in schools but they can be used for recreation, environmental adaptations, and even vehicle modifications.

What I liked:
The website is very easy to navigate. It is sectioned out based on the needs of a person with disabilities. I like that the website defines each of the specified needs, explains when they are needed, and even offer videos on different technologies and how they are used.

What I will use in my future classroom:
When reviewing the resources tab, I noticed that there were categories including disability laws and rights, employment, and independent living. These are the parts of a transition plan for students with disabilities. In the future, I will use these resources to help students with disabilities begin their transition plans for after high school.

Citation:
Explore at from AT3 Center. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2022, from https://exploreat.net/

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Your State AT Program is a Good Place to Start

A good way to think about assistive technology (AT) is by identifying function - what is it the device will help a person with a disability do, like read text, type, hear the TV, dial the phone, rise more easily from a chair - rather than by diagnosis, e.g. AT for people with Parkinson's, age, e.g. AT for seniors, or by setting, e.g. AT for work.

Contact your state AT program for "information and assistance" to help narrow down a category. Depending upon the cost and complexity of the device in which you are interested, they may recommend you explore a formal evaluation, and/or suggest that you borrow the item from their device lending program. The state AT program may also offer to arrange a demonstration that provides you with "hands on" experience with AT devices.

State AT Programs provide many free services (pdf). Most often there is no charge for information and assistance or a device demonstration. There is sometimes a nominal fee associated with borrowing a device to help cover shipping costs.

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A good way to think about assistive technology (AT) is by identifying function - what is it the device will help a person with a disability do, like read text, type, hear the TV, dial the phone, rise more easily from a chair - rather than by diagnosis, e.g.

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Assistive Technology and Accessible Education Materials Center

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Assistive Technology and Accessible Education Materials Center

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What I learned:
This website offers professional development under an array of topics. They also have modules that teach students, teachers and even parents about assistive technology. It is important to keep parents and students involved in each aspect of their plans at school. Each of the professional development videos are no longer than thirty minutes and they are an easy way to keep teachers in the loop with everything going on in the education system.

What I liked:
I loved the Braille Lego Bricks! Many students love to use Legos anyway and they can be used for many things including STEM lessons and even English. Allowing students who are blind to use braille and Legos together is a wonderful combination.

What I will use in my future classroom:
In my future classroom, I would love to have access to braille Lego bricks. I would also encourage parents to visit the website to learn more about the assistive technology that their students will be using in the classroom. As for me, I will use this website and its resources to gain professional development hours and keep up to date on anything going on in the educational field.

Citation:
Ataem. (n.d.). Accessibility is the key to unlocking potential. ATAEM. Retrieved February 1, 2022, from https://ataem.org/

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These are some examples of words spelled with Braille Lego Bricks. These could be a very useful tool in the classroom that doesn't involve the internet and can physically be used by students who are blind or visually impaired.

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What I learned:
This website offers more than fifty free modules that help people understand, plan, collaborate, and support people who have disabilities. These modules can help people in school, at home, work, or in their community. You can also earn certificates from these modules.

What I liked:
I liked that these modules were free and available to everyone. I liked that the modules included videos, pre and post tests, case studies, discussion questions, activities, and more. These modules can also count toward graduate courses.

What I will use in my future classroom:
In my future classroom, I can use these modules for professional development hours and I can stay up to date on what is going on in the education field. I can also encourage parents and their children to practice some of these modules in order to gain a better understanding of what their child is going through along with their needs and rights.

Citation:
Modules, A. T. I. (n.d.). Free, online professional development. Assistive Technology Internet Modules. Retrieved February 1, 2022, from https://atinternetmodules.org/

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A Family-Centered Approach to Assistive Technology in Early Childhood

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A Family-Centered Approach to Assistive Technology in Early Childhood

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This is one example of a module that can be shared with parents and other staff members to make sure they are comfortable and knowledgeable about their child while they are using technology in the classroom.