User:Shettymadhura/Sandbox

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
the technology for learning.........

Assistive technology is a equipment, software or product system that is used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.It gives greater independence to the people with disabilities by making them able to perform their task.It is often abbreviated as AT.

Different disabilities require different types of assistive technologies.Assistive technology will not make the disability go away; it can only lessen the impact of the disability.Assistive technology helps students access their education, as well as enable adults to secure a job. Individuals with disabilities can lead a near to normal life with the appropriate technology.The equipments used in assistive technology may be elaborative and high cost like electronic devices, wheel chairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze, and head trackers or of low cost like communication board made of cardboard.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
Assistive technology has a significant role in helping children with disabilities to gain education.Students with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities face barriers to learning. Students with motor disabilities may not be able to hold a pencil to write answers on a test, or a compass to do a math lesson.A lot of effort has been put up to provide alternative ways of learning for students who learn in different ways. The impact of technology on education has been profound. When assistive technology is appropriately integrated into the classroom, students are provided with multiple means to complete their work and focus on achieving academic standards.It can be said as inclusiveness in classroom with help of assistive technology which is a compulsory norm in today's school system.

TYPES OF TOOLS USED TO HELP STUDENTS

* A student with poor vision might use enlarged text, screen readers, screen enlargers,audio books, Brailles, light boxes, and scanners.

* A student with motor difficulties might use an enlarged, simplified computer keyboard.

* Students with mobility impairments may need wheelchairs, self-propelled walkers.https://intro2at-summer13.wikispaces.com/file/view/Assistive-Technology-Devices.jpg/371601288/400x304/Assistive-Technology-Devices.jpg

http://www.ilresources.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/accessible-classrooms.jpg

here is a video of a assistive classroom which uses cost effective tools.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOX2gcc7BI0

Not only the learner teacher also is also benefited.Assistive technology provides a teacher with more options to use in addressing different learning styles for individual students using visual, auditory and tactile approaches. By making a student more independent, assistive technology allows teachers to spend more time on group activities and also to give attention towards other students in the classroom.A disabled child in the classroom gains attention of the entire class and will not be able to take part in all the activity.But when a child is fully integrated and using assistive technology effectively facilitates a more positive atmosphere in the classroom.

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finally we can say that ''"for the people without disabilities technology makes things easier but for the people with disabilities technology makes things possible".Assistive technology is an access and progress to all........ ======