Modifications/Adaptations for students with disabilities?

Question

I am a graduate student seeking ideas---in regards to technology...to modifiy/make adaptations for students with disabilities. The modifications/adaptations HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF TECHNOLOGY. Your input is appreciated.

Answer 1

That's pretty general. But here's a suggestion as to where you can get some ideas (a lot, actually). There is a lot of research out there. A really good place to start is with the "Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers" (RERC). This is a network of aabout 2 dozen R&D centers nationwide focused on assistive technology and barrier free/universal design. There's no one website--but if you do a search for "RERC" plus terms like "adaptive," "disability," "universal design," "assistive technology" you'll find the centers' individual sites--and part of their mandate is to provide online resources--so it should be tailor-made for you.

Answer 2

What kind of disabilities are you referring to? A piece of assistive technology can range from no tech to high tech. It can be a pencil grip or an expensive communication device. What would be appropriate would depend on the needs of the student and what you are wanting to assist them in doing. Do you have any more specific requirements for this project or are you simply needing a list of the items?

Answer 3

This is exactly the sort of thing I've spent the last 10 years doing! Recently retired from it, but miss the work and the kids. There are all kinds of things you can use, dependent upon what the academic or self care issue is. Do you have a particular need in mind, such as speech, reading, music?

Answer 4

What disabilities has to be known first. If they can not speak, there are several adaptive technology ways. Auditory needs are managed with sound systems, physical needs are based on the specific need of the child.

Answer 5

First of all, the childs IEP team decides what modifications and adaptions to use. A teacher can use 'other' things in addition to what is in the child's IEP plan, but the IEP plan MUST be followed.
There are websites that lists accoms and mods that can be used, but I can't remember them (sorry).
Sometimes IEP teams have a made up 'list' of accoms and mods that they choose from for the child, and say that's all they can do. But this is illegal because the IEP plan stands for INDIVIDUAL educational plan. It is suppose to meet the needs of the INDIVIDUAL and not all children together.
Go to www.schwablearning.org and sign up for free on their 'parent to parent' message board. They can give you some great ideas. Good luck!!

Answer 6

Well,
For example in autism many students are non-verbal, the technology that often used is PEC-or picture exchange system.
For more on the technology please ref ere to Pyramid Consultants-you can do an Internet search on them