Midterm Essay

Sarah Schrecengost

11-06-2017

SPED 300

Midterm Essay Exam Outline

1.      Universal Design for Learning

a.     Define UDL, what it stands for and what it looks like in a classroom

b.     Three core principles of UDL

c.     Explain why UDL is important in all educational settings

                                               i.     Give an example (math blocks)

2.     Assistive Technology

a.     Define Assistive Technology

b.     Explain who it can benefit

                                               i.     Dyslexia: Text-to-speech

c.     Examples of AT

                                               i.     Pencil grips, planners, lined paper

d.     How is AT a part of UDL-DESIGN

3.     AT Devices and AT Services

a.     Define AT device

b.     Define AT service

c.     Explain how they differ-service helps them access their device

4.     AT Continuum and funding

a.     Define AT Continuum

                                               i.     Cost, amount of training, and level of advancement

                                             ii.     High-tech to low-tech

b.     Start at no-tech and work up

c.     Funds come from Special Education System

5.     S.E.T.T.

a.     Define S.E.T.T., what it stands for

                                               i.     Student, environments, tasks, and tools

b.     How to use it to decide what AT device to use

                                               i.     Use first three first, then decide on what tool to use

6.     AT in the IEP

a.     Define IEP, what it stands for

                                               i.     Individualized Education Plan

b.     Goals of an IEP

c.     Location of AT in the IEP

7.     IDEA

a.     FAPE

                                               i.     Define Free Appropriate Public Education

b.     LRE

                                               i.     Define Least Restrictive Environment

c.     How both help with inclusion

8.     AT Laws

a.     Explain Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

b.     Explain Americans with Disabilities Act

c.     Explain why they are important

Sarah Schrecengost

11-06-2017

SPED 300

Midterm Essay Exam

1.     UDL stands for Universal Design for Learning. This means that the curriculum is more flexible, to ensure that the environment and learning activities are suitable for children with all types of learning differences, including levels of understanding. UDL has three core principles: representation, action and expression, and engagement. Incorporating these principles into curriculum will help students to progress the best way for them. UDL is important in all educational settings because individuals may benefit from a certain type of learning. For example, in a children’s mathematics class, it may be beneficial for some students to write down their work while other students may benefit from using blocks or other manipulatives to physically see the values they are using.

2.     Assistive technology includes services, software programs, equipment, or tools to help increase the capabilities of the student. It is most often associated with those who have disabilities, but assistive technology can benefit anyone. There are many reasons for using AT. For example, if a student has dyslexia, it may be helpful for them to use a digital text-to-speech program, which comes free on most computers and phones. Not all assistive technology is very advanced. School planners, pencil grips, and even certain types of paper can be considered assistive technology. AT is a part of the Universal Design for Learning because it falls under the design part of the learning. A part of Universal Design for Learning is that each child has an equal opportunity to learn whatever way may be best for them, so including assistive technology would definitely be a part of the design.

3.     An AT device is defined in the IDEA 2004 as “Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device. (Authority 20 U.S.C. 140(1)) An assistive technology service is “Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device. (Authority 20 U.S.C. 1401(2))

As you can see in these definitions, the AT service helps the student to have full use and benefit from the AT device. The major difference is that the device is what helps them to succeed in the classroom, but the service helps them to succeed with their device.

4.     The AT continuum means that assistive technology can be categorized into cost, amount of training, and level of advancement. A device could be classified as high-tech, mid-tech, low-tech, or no-tech. It is easy to be excited about high-tech options, but the best way to introduce AT is to start with a satisfying no-tech option and keep increase the tech level if necessary. For children up to age 21, the school must pay for the AT, not the parents. This becomes difficult, as it is a limited budget under the special education system.

5.     There is a certain way to find the right device for your student. There is a four-part framework for this very purpose. S.E.T.T stands for student, environments, tasks, and tools. S.E.T.T. is a model that helps the teacher decide what assistive technology would be best for the student with a disability. It is important to group the first three together and they complement each other and are hard to separate. After the student, environment, and tasks are evaluated, then the correct tools can be selected.

6.     AT must be included in your student’s IEP. An IEP is an Individualized Education Program that has been specified to fit your child’s needs. The IEP is a written document that plans for your child’s education if they fit the requirements for a disability. The IEP includes any services or accommodations your child may need. It is important that Assistive Technology is included in this plan because it is a related service. It is required by law to include AT in your child’s IEP. In the IEP assistive technology may also show up as supplementary aids and service, accommodations, or any other additional modifications.

7.     It is always a normal concern to worry about your children’s inclusion. In the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, it contains specific principles that ensure your child will have access to equal opportunity and participation in the class. One of these specific principles is FAPE, which states that every child with a disability is able to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education. This includes that it must be a beneficial, meaningful education that will challenge them to improve and become independent. Another principle of IDEA is LRE, which means that your child needs to be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment. This means that all options for placing your child in the general education classroom have been explored. That is the goal, to have them experience a free appropriate public education with their peers, but also having accommodations for their learning differences.

8.     There are many laws that reinforces how assistive technology should work and how available it should be. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act states that all electronic equipment including websites must be accessible to people with varying disabilities. This also includes television, online videos, e-books, and other media. For example, websites must be programmed to work with speech to text programs for those with visual impediments or reading disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) speaks of equal opportunity in the workplace and school. It also insists that they be given accessibility in all areas of the community. Lastly, it addresses assistive technology and specifically talks about services for those who are deaf or hard of hearing must be included for all telephone companies. I picked these two laws because they completely changed accessibility for people with disabilities. There are still buildings today without handicapped parking, ramps, and elevators. Although, with ADA, may buildings around the country have been vastly improved. With how technological our world is today, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act has changed people’s lives. Even those that have lost all vision can scroll through their social media feed, understand, and participate online with the help of accessible assistive technology.

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