The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a groundbreaking civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of any disability. Cognitive, or learning disabilities, fall under this law since disabilities are defined as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity."
Because of the Americans with Disabilities Act, an Individual Education Plan, or IEP, is created and implemented for every special education student. Assistive technology may be part of the plan based on a student's assessment and determined need.
Assistive technology helps put students in the "least restrictive environment" (LRE) according to ADA.The LRE means that students with disabilities should be educated in an environment that provides access to the same services and curricula as their peers. In order to achieve educational goals in their respective educational settings, students with disabilities may be provided with assistive technology devices.
Students with language processing disabilities can have trouble in receptive or expressive language, which means that they may have trouble understanding written or spoken language, or they may have trouble speaking or writing. As a result, students with language issues may use different assistive technology devices geared for their individual needs. Students who have trouble spelling may use electronic spellers or dictionaries. Students who have trouble understanding the sequencing of words or letters may use word scanners, audio books and players, alternative keyboards, text readers, voice-recognition software, or word-prediction software. Pronunciation difficulties can be remedied with various talking devices. Because organization can sometimes also be a problem for these students, electronic organizers can greatly benefit them as well.
Students with speech or communication disabilities can use assistive technology to help them communicate with others. Items that "speak" for these students such as communication boards, voice-output devices, or communication software can greatly improve their quality of education. Additionally, text-to-voice and voice-to-text software, touch screens that give choices for communication, and translating devices can help those with mild speech disorders on an as-needed basis or can provide a communication lifeline for those whose speech is profoundly affected.
Students who have difficulty with math concepts or calculations because of a math learning disability can greatly benefit from assistive technology. Assistive technology for students who have difficulty with calculations includes talking calculators, math calculation software and electronic interactive math tables. Students who struggle with more abstract math concepts may need additional devices such as handwriting recognition pens with interactive note taking abilities, voice recognition software that they can use to explain math problems and how to solve them, or talking graphing calculators.
Students with writing learning disabilities can benefit from many different types of assistive technology. Electronic spelling checkers, electronic dictionaries and computers with spelling and grammar checkers can help students with mechanics and spelling errors. Those who have trouble organizing their thoughts can use graphic organizer software, word recognition software that helps students by "finishing" words or sentences for them, outlining software, or speech recognition programs that record in writing what students want to put in a written sentence, phrase, or paragraph.
Students with reading disabilities may have trouble gaining meaning from text on their own. Audiobooks and players can help them bridge the gaps in their reading skills, and pens that recognize specific words or letters can also help students better understand information.