Assessing Students’ Needs for Assistive Technology A Resource Manual for School District Teams Penny Reed, Ph.D., Elizabeth A. Lahm, Ph.D., Editors 4th Edition January, 2004 Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative CESA #2 448 East High Street Milton, WI 53563 www.wati.org Acknowledgements We would like to thank the staff of the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative both past and present who have always given over and above “the call of duty.” Their tireless efforts to help the educators throughout Wisconsin have always been an inspiration to me. They are responsible in so many ways for the information in this manual. We learn from them each time we are together. Whether they wrote an article, sent a handout, pointed out a new product, or simply shared a thought, they contributed immensely. There are so many others We also wish to thank. These are the people who have inspired us and from whom we continue to learn. They include Gayl Bowser, Linda Burkhart, Diana Carl, Patti King DeBaun, Denise DeCoste, Karen Erickson, Kelly Fonner, Bob Keller, David Koppenhaver, Jane Korsten, Michelle Lange, Susan Mistrett, Susan McCloskey, Caroline Musselwhite, Judith Sweeney, Richard Wanderman, Joy Zabala. There are many, many more. To all of you who take time to present at Closing the Gap, CSUN, ATIA, and TAM–Thank you! You make a difference. Many thanks to all of you, Penny R. Reed, Editor Elizabeth A. Lahm, Editor This manual was made possible by funding from IDEA grant number 9906-23. Its content may be reprinted in whole or in part, with credit to WATI and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) acknowledged. However, reproduction of this manual in whole or in part for resale is not authorized. Table of Contents Chapter One Assistive Technology Assessment Overview of the Assessment and Planning Process ........................................................................1 Assistive Technology Laws Affecting School Districts ..................................................................2 Assistive Technology Roles and Responsibilities ...........................................................................4 Considering the Need for Assistive Technology .............................................................................6 Using the AT Consideration Guide..................................................................................................7 WATI Assistive Technology Consideration Guide ...................................................................10 Assistive Technology Assessment .................................................................................................12 Who Provides an Assistive Technology Assessment ....................................................................13 Assessing A Child’s Need for Assistive Technology, Where to Start? ........................................ 15 WATI Assistive Technology Assessment Directions/Procedure Guide ...................................16 Gathering Information about the Student ......................................................................................18 Referral/Question Identification Guide .....................................................................................20 WATI Student Information Guide ............................................................................................22 Gathering Information about Environments and Tasks .................................................................42 Environmental Observation Guide ............................................................................................44 Environmental Observation Summary ......................................................................................47 Using the AT Decision Making Guide ..........................................................................................48 WATI Assistive Technology Decision Making Guide .............................................................52 Using the AT Checklist ..................................................................................................................53 WATI Assistive Technology Assessment Technology Checklist .............................................54 Additional Tools for the Team as They Select Appropriate Assistive Technology ......................56 Implementing Trials with Assistive Technology ...........................................................................58 WATI Assistive Technology Trial Use Guide ..........................................................................59 WATI Assistive Technology Trial Use Summary ....................................................................61 Products Mentioned in Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................62 Chapter 2 Computer Access Introduction ....................................................................................................................................65 A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Computer Access ........................66 Access to Computers and Devices for Students with Physical Disabilities ...................................67 Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Switch Types ........................................................73 Freeware/Shareware Toolkits from Trace Center ..........................................................................74 Products Mentioned in Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................75 Chapter 3 Assistive Technology for Writing Introduction ....................................................................................................................................77 A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for the Motor Aspects of Writing .....78 Assistive Technology and Writing .................................................................................................79 Portable Word Processors ..............................................................................................................83 Portable Word Processors .........................................................................................................85 Voice Recognition Program Comparisons ................................................................................88 A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Composing Written Material ......90 Assistive Technology for Composing Written Materials ..............................................................91 Products Mentioned in Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................95 Assessing Students’ Needs for Assistive Technology (2004) Table of Contents Chapter 4 Assistive Technology for Communication Introduction ....................................................................................................................................97 A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Communication ..........................98 Assistive Technology for Communication ....................................................................................99 Getting Started with AAC ............................................................................................................102 Products Mentioned in Chapter 4 ................................................................................................108 Chapter 5 Assistive Technology for Reading, Studying, and Math Introduction ..................................................................................................................................109 A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Reading .....................................110 Assistive Technology and Reading ..............................................................................................111 Strategies for Use During Reading with Students who are Minimally Verbal ............................121 Five Components of Reading Instruction ....................................................................................122 Selecting Assistive Technology for Use in Reading Instruction with Consideration of the Child’s Stage of Literacy ..............................................................................................123 A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Learning/Studying ....................137 Learning and Studying .................................................................................................................138 Assistive Technology Applications .........................................................................................142 A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Math ..........................................146 Assistive Technology and Math ...................................................................................................147 Products Mentioned in Chapter 5 ................................................................................................151 Chapter 6 Assistive Technology for Recreation, Leisure, and Activities of Daily Living Introduction ..................................................................................................................................155 A Continuum of Considerations for Assistive Technology for Recreation and Leisure .............156 Assistive Technology for Recreation and Leisure .......................................................................157