Aids for Daily
Living:
Self help aids for use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking,
dressing, toileting, home maintenance, etc. These types of modifications
may be part of the daily needs for the student and require some equipment
that needs to be readily available such as motorized changing tables,
or specialized walkers. This is an area that should be looked
at from a personal level whenever possible for privacy and dignity
issues. A dressing screen or false wall might not be normally considered,
but are important items in some cases.
back to top |
|
Augmentative
or Alternative Communcation (AAC):
Electronic and non-electronic devices that provide a means for expressive
and receptive communication for persons with limited or no speech.
These are devices that what many people think of when they
think of assistive technology. There is a wide range of units
available, and an evaluation should be done to determine which board
will match up well with a student. The field is constantly
changing with more powerful communication and computing systems are
becoming available all the time. A combination AAC and assistive
technology system should be incorporated into the same unit if the
student is in an academic setting. But until funding regulations
are changed these will probably be hard to have in the same system.
back to top |
|
Computer
Access:
Input and output devices (Voice, Braille), alternate access aids
(headsticks, light pointers), modified or alternate keyboards, switches,
special software, etc. that enable persons with disabilities to use
a computer. This category includes speech recognition software. A
student does not have to have their own computer. If the classroom
has computers the student then has access. But this access must be
modified to meet their personal goals. In addition a computer
needs to be used equally by students in a classroom. Wireless and
portable devices can allow a student to bring access and work from
class to class instead of making modifications to every room. Computer
access should be similar to what is available for all students, not
a hand me down with no software, or a computer that is not sued with
students.
back to top |
|
Environmental
Control Systems:
Primarily electronic systems that enable someone with limited mobility
to control various appliances, electronic aids, security systems,
etc. in their room, home or other surroundings. A TV, remote
control with big buttons may be all a student needs to access environmental
units. Radio Shack and other companies have simple wireless
systems that can give great access to a student, and are inexpensive
to set up an entire kitchen or work station.
back to top |
|
School/Home/Worksite
Modifications:
Structural adaptations, fabrications in the home, worksite or other
area (ramps, lifts, bathroom changes) that remove or reduce physical
barriers for an individual with a disability. Most of this is currently
in place from ADA regulations. New construction will need to
have this factored in as well. A school would not be responsible
for home or worksite modifications.
back to top |
|
Prosthetics and
Orthotics:
Replacement, substitution or augmentation of missing or malfunctioning
body parts with artificial limbs or other orthotic aids (splints,
braces, etc.). There are also prosthetics to assist with cognitive
limitations or deficits, including audio tapes or pagers (that function
as prompts or reminders). Braces and aids generally are not something
the district needs to provide, but a principal should be aware of
any particular needs such as a mat or changing area needed. Some
orthotists will visit a school and do fittings or adjustments.
An area that is underutilized is the use of cognitive prosthetics.
An organizer with an alarm feature, or a talking watch for a blind
student would be two examples of small modifications that can be
made for a student.
back to top |
|
Seating and Positioning:
Accommodations to a wheelchair or other seating system to provide
greater body stability, trunk/head support and an upright posture,
and reduction of pressure on the skin surface (cushions, contour
seats, lumbar).
A school
building needs to have easy access to major areas. Libraries
and labs are often areas that a student will need some type of modification
to participate. Adjustable height desks and chairs with prompts( supports)
like a Rifton chair may be needed in a particular setting.
back to top |
|
Aids for Vision
Impaired:
Aids for specific populations including magnifiers, Braille or speech
output devices, large print screens, closed circuit television for
magnifying documents, etc. Time may be needed in a vision
teachers schedule to do create Braille materials for an academic
student. A Braille printer is a big time saver if there is a
need form much Braille. Vision products are often available
for a qualified student from state and Federal Vision initiatives,
which can be requested and used in the classroom. Also many
texts are transcribed by the Books on Tape service which
can also be requested for students with physical disabilities
who can not read a book in the traditional way.
back to top |
|
Aids for Hearing
Impaired:
Aids for specific populations including assistive listening devices
(infrared, FM loop systems), hearing aids, TTYs, visual and tactile
alerting systems, etc.
Training for staff and teachers is critical for hearing systems
to work properly. A student with an interpreter needs to have space
for both individuals where they can have work space along with an
additional text copy. Some wireless systems for Internet may
create interference problems for wireless aids.
back to top |
|
Wheelchairs/Mobility
Aids:
Manual and electric wheelchairs, mobile bases for custom chairs,
walkers, three-wheel scooters and other utility vehicles for increasing
personal mobility.
A student does not have to have their wheelchair provided by the
school( that is usually done outside the school) but bus transport,
and items to allow a student to move from class to class which is
not their travel chair may be necessary. Mobility instruction
also may be needed as a related service.
back to top |
|
Vehicle Modifications:
Adaptive driving aids, hand controls, wheelchair and other lifts,
modified vans, or other motor vehicles used for personal transportation
A wheelchair bus or the ability to secure a chair is necessary
for transporting a student. There
may be regulations about staff entering a bus, or a bus driver
escorting a student beyond the bus door. Generally a student needs to
be able to negotiate the bus steps in order to be transported on a regular
bus. Training of bus drivers (and building staff) in what to do in an
emergency, is often a neglected area. Seizures and nausea are
often triggered by transport and may need medical attention. A bus
matron or air conditioning are sometimes necessary in these cases and
should be listed on the students I.E.P. |
| |
|
