This playful yet professional book is designed to help educators select, acquire and implement technology to help all students, but especially those with special needs. School districts often struggle to develop consistent practices for meeting the needs of special education students. With this book, you’ll learn how embracing student-centered approaches like project-based learning and growth mindset works to support students with disabilities. You’ll get guidance on how to plan and execute educational experiences using technology centered around the needs of students with disabilities. And you’ll learn how to effectively and consistently consider and select technological supports based on the specific needs of an individual student with a disability. This book: • Details how an educational team can request assistance to determine technology needs. • Explains how to conduct and document assessments to help an educational team make informed decisions about technology needs. • Describes a proactive approach to professional development for individuals and for those who train others on the use of technology. • Assists individuals or teams in creating an action plan for developing a culture of inclusion. • Interweaves stories, songs and other exciting features to make learning fun! The New Assistive Tech is a catalyst for breaking down walls between special education and general education, and will help all educators realize they have tech knowledge (and can build upon that knowledge) that can be used to support students with disabilities.

School districts often struggle to develop consistent practices for meeting the assistive needs of special education students. This playful yet professional book will help public school educators select, acquire and implement technology to help all students, but especially those with special needs. The New Assistive Tech is a catalyst for breaking down walls between special education and general education, and will help all educators realize they have tech knowledge (and can build upon that knowledge) that can be used to support students with disabilities. This book: details how an educational team can request assistance to determine technology needs; explains how to conduct and document assessments to help an educational team make informed decisions about technology needs; describes a proactive approach to professional development for individuals and for those who train others on the use of technology; assists individuals or teams in creating an action plan for developing a culture of inclusion; and interweaves stories, songs and other exciting features to make learning fun!

From setting up a stellar team to consultations and evaluations, and from implementation to assessing success, this guide presents detailed advice and ideas to provide assistive technology (AT) services that effectively and efficiently help students. The nuts and bolts of each area are presented in a practical way (with amusing metaphors thrown in for good measure) so that you can directly apply what's in the book and see tangible results.

It's here: the latest edition of the one text you need to master assistive strategies, make confident clinical decisions, and help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Based on the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model, Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice, 4th Edition provides detailed coverage of the broad range of devices, services, and practices that comprise assistive technology, and focuses on the relationship between the human user and the assisted activity within specific contexts. Updated and expanded, this new edition features coverage of new ethical issues, more explicit applications of the HAAT model, and a variety of global issues highlighting technology applications and service delivery in developing countries. Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) framework demonstrates assistive technology within common, everyday contexts for more relevant application. Focus on clinical application guides you in applying concepts to real-world situations. Review questions and chapter summaries in each chapter help you assess your understanding and identify areas where more study is needed. Content on the impact of AT on children and the role of AT in play and education for children with disabilities demonstrates how AT can be used for early intervention and to enhance development. Coverage of changing AT needs throughout the lifespan emphasizes how AT fits into people's lives and contributes to their full participation in society. Principles and practice of assistive technology provides the foundation for effective decision-making. NEW! Global issues content broadens the focus of application beyond North America to include technology applications and service delivery in developing countries. NEW! Ethical issues and occupational justice content exposes you to vital information as you start interacting with clients. NEW! More case studies added throughout the text foster an understanding of how assistive technologies are used and how they function. NEW! Updated content reflects current technology and helps keep you current. NEW! Explicit applications of the HAAT model in each of the chapters on specific technologies and more emphasis on the interactions among the elements make content even easier to understand.

The updated edition of this playful yet professional book guides educators in selecting, acquiring and implementing technology to help all students, but particularly those with special needs. School districts often struggle to develop consistent practices for meeting the needs of special education students. In the updated edition of this bestselling book, you'll learn how embracing student-centered approaches like project-based learning and growth mindset help support students with disabilities. You'll get guidance on how to plan and execute education experiences using technology centered around students' individual needs. And you'll discover how to effectively and consistently evaluate and select technology supports based on the specific needs of an individual student, while actively including the learner in the technology consideration process. Building on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, this edition also explores ways to support students, especially learners with disabilities, through distance learning, and how adopting personalized learning principles can help facilitate a smooth transition to distance learning. This revised edition: Includes new content on the necessity and long-term benefits of making educational materials accessible. Offers guidance on expanding practices that are already inclusive, such as increasing the flexibility of learning spaces and establishing gaming and maker clubs. Explains how to conduct and document assessments to help an educational team make informed decisions about technology needs. Assists individuals or teams in creating an action plan for developing a culture of inclusion. Interweaves stories, songs and other features to make learning fun! With his accessible approach and conversational style, Christopher R. Bugaj takes what can sometimes be an intimidating topic and makes it relevant and easy to understand, with examples that illustrate how to reach all learners in every classroom. Audience: Elementary and secondary educators; education coaches and administrators

The updated edition of this playful yet professional book guides educators in selecting, acquiring and implementing technology to help all students, but particularly those with disabilities. School districts often struggle to develop consistent practices for meeting the needs of special education students. In the updated edition of this bestselling book, you’ll learn how embracing student-centered approaches like project-based learning and growth mindset help support students with disabilities. You’ll get guidance on how to plan and execute education experiences using technology centered around students’ individual needs. And you’ll discover how to effectively and consistently evaluate and select technology supports based on the specific needs of an individual student, while actively including the learner in the technology consideration process. Building on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, this edition also explores ways to support students, especially learners with disabilities, through distance learning, and how adopting personalized learning principles can help facilitate a smooth transition to distance learning. This revised edition: • Includes new content on the necessity and long-term benefits of making educational materials accessible. • Offers guidance on expanding practices that are already inclusive, such as increasing the flexibility of learning spaces and establishing gaming and maker clubs. • Explains how to conduct and document assessments to help an educational team make informed decisions about technology needs. • Assists individuals or teams in creating an action plan for developing a culture of inclusion. • Interweaves stories, songs and other features to make learning fun! With his accessible approach and conversational style, Christopher R. Bugaj takes what can sometimes be an intimidating topic and makes it relevant and easy to understand, with examples that illustrate how to reach all learners in every classroom. Audience: Elementary and secondary educators; education coaches and administrators

The field of assistive technology is influenced by the ongoing and rapid development of mainstream technologies on the one hand and continuing changes to social systems in relation to societal events - such as the ageing of the population - on the other. The articles in this book provide a broad overview of developments in technical support for people with functional restrictions: key technologies like telecommunications and IT are addressed, while low-tech practical solutions are also considered.