Research guides: Special Education: Assistive Technologies

Assistive Technologies

Assistive technologies can be used by a wide variety of learners with special needs to support their experiences in the classroom. The recommended titles and resources below may aid your understanding of these technologies and help to identify what tools may be of most use in different situations.

Recommended Books

Assistive Technology: Access for All Students by Lawrence A. Beard; Linda B. Johnston; Laura Bowden Carpenter
Call Number: OISE Stacks 371.90433 B368A 2011
Publication Date: 2010
Organized around the theme of universal design, this guide to assistive technology discusses the knowledge and skills educators need to know in order to determine the appropriate use of technology and services to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. The text provides an overview and introduction to the topic of assistive technology, evaluating various technologies for classroom use, and using assistive technology with special needs students of a diverse range of disabilities.
The Practical (And Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools by Christopher R. Bugaj; Sally Norton-Darr; International Society for Technology in Education Staff (Contribution by)
Call Number: OISE Curriculum Resources 371.90433 B931P
Publication Date: 2010
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 so that you can directly apply what's in the book and see tangible results.
Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities by Amy G. Dell; Deborah A. Newton; Jerry G. Petroff
Call Number: OISE Curriculum Resources 371.33 D357A
Publication Date: 2011
This text focuses on the use of assistive technology to increase the independence and participation of students with disabilities in schools by providing them with access to the curriculum. With an emphasis on both the relationship between assistive technology and learning and on how assistive technology can be integrated into the curriculum, this text assesses the school-related tasks that students with special needs must perform in order to be successful.

Online Resources for Assessing and Selecting Assistive Technologies

Academic Intervention Labs
Run within the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at OISE, the Academic Intervention Labs conduct research on assistive technologies and provide resources for teachers in the field.
AT Select
With over 400 different Assistive Technologies (AT) on the market, AT Select provides a guide along with a comprehensive review of AT to assist in the decision making process. This guide was created by the Academic Intervention Lab at the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at OISE.
Assistive Technology
This guide to understanding and finding assistive technologies for a range of needs is created by Understood, an organization composed of 15 nonprofit organization members that have joined forces to support parents of children with learning and attention issues.
National Center on Accessible Education Materials: Personalizing the Reading Experience
This facet of the website for the American National Center on Accessible Education Materials lists apps and other resources and how they can be customized to suit the needs of all readers.
Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning: Posters and Leaflets
A collection of charts and diagrams listing useful apps and technologies for assisting students in the classroom, created by Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning (CALL) at the University of Edinburgh. The apps listed in each diagram are clickable links.
LD@school's Guide to Choosing Educational Apps
The LD@school Team provides information on how to link students’ learning profiles (strengths and needs), with educational applications. A PDF checklist is available to guide the critical assessment of apps to meet students’ needs, and an additional list of recommended educational apps from the Sagonaska Demonstration School is included.
Adaptech: Free and Inexpensive Adaptive Technology Database
A list of built-in accessibility features and downloadable software for a range of technological devices and operating systems.

Resources for U of T Students and Staff

Adaptive Technologies at the OISE Computer Labs
This page lists the technologies that are available in the OISE computer labs in the Education Commons and gives brief descriptions of each and what they do. It is a part of a larger OISE site about using adaptive technologies in special education.
Accessibility Services
The staff at Accessibility Services can help you navigate U of T and get you the support you need. You can meet with an Accessibility Advisor, an Adaptive Technologist, an Accommodations Administrator or a Learning Strategist. Register with Accessibility Services for access to all of their support offerings.
University of Toronto Library Accessibility Office
The University of Toronto Libraries is committed to making every reasonable effort to help you use our collections and services. We assist with library resources and communicate with library personnel and the U of T Accessibility Services staff on your behalf. Current faculty and staff with disabilities are also welcome.
Accessibility Resources
Links to software and other resources available at University of Toronto Libraries.

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Assistive Technologies

Recommended Books

Online Resources for Assessing and Selecting Assistive Technologies

Resources for U of T Students and Staff

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