The ability of digital technologies to provide augmentative and alternative means of communication (AAC) to children with limited or no means of physically voicing their needs, wishes and educational progress has been nothing short of spectacular. These devices have required compromise, perseverance, and significant investment of time and money. Still,...
With more than 67 million iPads sold in the U.S., the device is having a real impact on the lives of many, including children and youth with disabilities. Vina Sargent of the Lakeside Center for Autism in Seattle shares the LCA’s experience in using iPad apps with children at the...
Education technologist Dr. Yeunjoo Lee, of California State, Bakersfield, talks about the state of pre-service teacher technology training, minority group attitudes about assistive technology and alternative sources of technology funding.
This interview focuses on assistive technology implementation in the classroom. Matthew Press, AT Coordinator for the Pendergast Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona, addresses the need for teacher “buy-in” and shares tips for how to get it; describes AT barriers and how to overcome them; identifies AT tools that...
In the education world, as in all public sectors, policy drives funding. At the national, state, and local levels, policy decisions determine priorities and budgets. What happens within the classroom, including use of assistive and instructional technologies, is tied directly to overarching education policies. In this interview, we speak with...
Do you know where your hashtags are? Some of us do; some of us don’t. Some of us have no idea what the term means. Joe Mazza, Knapp Elementary School Principal, is a master user of hashtags – a way of labeling Twitter and other social media posts – so...
