Assistive Technology Information for Students

If you are a student with a documented disability and have a 504 plan or an IEP, than you and the team that helps create that plan must consider if assistive technology is something that you need to accommodate your disability and increase your independence and success in school.

The goal is to provide the tools that allow students to be as independent as possible in and out of the classroom. If you want to learn more about how to use assistive technology please ask your case manager or advisor to help you learn more about it.

Some of the disabilities that students who qualify to use assistive technology, include but are not limited to:

• Acquired brain injury • Attention deficit disorder

• Chronic illnesses including HIV • Chronic pain disorders

• Deaf/hard of hearing • Diabetes

• Intellectual disability • Learning disability

• Mental Health disability • Physical disability

• Seizure disorders • Temporary disabilities/Injuries

• Visual disability • Autism Spectrum Disorders

Assistive Technology Can Benefit All StudentsFive tools for reading, writing, and time management that can help all students—not just those with learning disabilities.

Assistive technology ranges from simple tools to more complex, typically, low-tech AT is low in cost and does not require a power source. High-tech AT, on the other hand, is often relatively expensive, more complex to operate, and may have programmable features.

Computer skills needed

Assistive technology can be a powerful way to access classroom materials and to produce work without being limited by your documented disability. However, in order to effectively use high tech assistive technology, you must have some basic computer skills. The skills you need include the ability to start up and access a computer and Google Docs and the internet, to remember and use key combinations (two keys pressed at the same time to make something happen), and to type somewhat efficiently. If you need help with these skills please talk to your advisor or case manager.

Additionally there are a number of ways to gain these skills by watching some tutorials such as the ones found here: https://www.gcflearnfree.org/basic-computer-skills/