Technology Integration

Assistive Technology: Resource Roundup

Discover websites, blog posts, articles, and videos related to understanding, selecting, and assessing assistive technology.

December 9, 2013 Updated November 7, 2016

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Getting Started

Whether low-tech, high-tech, or somewhere in between, assistive technology and related services play an important role in reducing barriers to learning for students with a variety of special needs and challenges. Before exploring the resources below, watch VideoAmy's "Five-Minute Film Festival: The Power of Assistive Technology," to better understand how technology can empower kids and help them build independence.

For Educators

  • Assistive Technology Module: To review the basics, check out this great overview of assistive technology for classroom teachers. (IRIS Center/Vanderbilt University) 
  • Assistive Technology: Find general information on assistive technology and accessible educational materials, including relevant federal laws. Assistive Technology Resources is a comprehensive list of national organizations, conferences, state resources, and transition resources. (National Center on Accessible Educational Materials)
  • AEM Navigator: Explore a decision-making tool -- designed for use by Individualized Education Program teams -- that can help determine the need, selection, acquisition, and use of accessible educational materials. (National Center on Accessible Educational Materials)

For Parents

Finding Assistive Technology

Explore the following websites for information about specific technologies and guidance on finding appropriate tools.

For Educators

  • TechMatrix: Search a database of over 400 assistive and educational technology tools and resources. The products are searchable by content area, grade level, IDEA disability category, and type of instructional support. (U.S Department of Education/American Institutes for Research)
  • Consumer Guide for School Administrators: Download TechMatrix's useful consumer guide for guidance on technology purchases. Also available are research articles on the theory and practice of using technology to improve student learning. (National Center for Technology Innovation and the Center for Implementing Technology in Education)

For Parents

Tips and Tools

Edutopia’s community is another great source of tips and tools. "The Ultimate Guide to Assistive Technology for Students With Special Needs," a post by Rebecca Dean, is a good place to start. Dean describes some of the many resources available to help support children experiencing challenges with reading, writing, math, listening, memory, and organization.

Resources to Address Specific Challenges

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

  • What is UDL?: Understand the basics of universal design for learning. (National Center of Universal Design for Learning)
  • UDL and Technology: Read about the relationship between UDL and technology. UDL strategies do not replace the need for AT, but UDL and AT can be complementary. (National Center of Universal Design for Learning)
  • Universal Design for Learning: What It Is and How It Works: Explore key takeaways for parents, including information about advocating for children. (Understood.org)

Was this page helpful? Are you familiar with other useful resources? Please share your feedback in the comments, and let us know if you'd like to see other types of resources included on this page.

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