Assistive Technology WebQuest

1. Choose two of the students below to include in your class: 

• Arthur - severely visually impaired (sight limited to 6-12 inches)
• Tim - cerebral palsy (limited motor skills, some hand/arm use)
• Isabella – severe hearing impairment
• Clare – quadriplegic (no use of hands or arms)
  

2. Research the topic of assistive technology, looking for resources to support your new students:

Develop (make up) a brief profile of each new student determining the following:
- student age or grade, description of student’s disability
- impact of disability on inclusion efforts (i.e. what problems or challenges do these disabilities present that affect students’ abilities to fully participate in classroom learning activities)

Gather some background information:

Assistive Technology Training Online Project - http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics.php 
Internet Resources for Special Children - http://www.irsc.org/

Explore possible AT solutions and support resources:

Ability Hub - http://www.abilityhub.com/
EnableMart - http://www.enablemart.com/default.aspx?store=10
AssistiveTech - http://www.assistivetech.net/
AbleData - http://www.abledata.com

Check local and state lending libraries to see what AT devices or services are available for loan:

Michigan's Assistive Technology Resource (MATR) – http://www.cenmi.org/matr/
Kent ISD Assistive Technology Committee – http://www.kentisd.org/assist/

Spend a little time exploring each of the resources below:

Bandaids & Blackboards - http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/faculty/jfleitas/bandaides/ 
Zigawhat! - http://www.nichcy.org/kids/index.htm
Microsoft Accessibility Home Page – http://www.microsoft.com/enable/
Apple Computer Accessibility Page - http://www.apple.com/accessibility/
Assistive Technology Training Online Project - http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics.php 
Internet Resources for Special Children - http://www.irsc.org/

3. Prepare a preliminary findings report.

Your report, which should include:

• A brief profile of each student and their instructional challenge.
• A summary of AT devices that could help this student. Include the details below as much as possible. (Not all information will be available for all products, but gather what data you can.)
  - Product Name/Vendor
  - Description
  - Price/Loan options

4. Reflect on what concerns or issues this activity has surfaced regarding inclusion, disabilities, and assistive technology. Do you think these or other devices are also available that could support students with ADD or mild learning disabilities?

5. Submit a 3-4 paragraph reflection along with your findings report.