Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology is defined as any device or service used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities. There are 
many resources available to help families and providers find appropriate assistive technology devices and services that can support a child’s development.
The links below include information about specific programs, tutorials, software and other helpful resources related to assistive technology.
Abilitations provides catalogs of tools and devices designed for professionals and families of young children with disabilities.
The AAC-RERC is a collaborative research group dedicated to the development of effective Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC) technology. AAC refers to ways (other than speech) that are used to send a message from one person to another. Check out their free webcasts including AAC Interventions to Maximize Language Development for Young Children presented by Janice Light, PhD.
The Alliance for Technology Access aims to increase the use of technology by children and adults with disabilities and functional limitations.
Assistive 
Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) includes tutorials on specific hardware and software programs, as well as information on elementary AT applications.
AT Consideration 5-Step Process is an online resource provided by the Center for Technology in Education that should be used when considering using assistive technology with students. See also, the the Assistive Technology Consideration: Student Planning Guide
Children's Technology Review provides reviews of software geared towards children from birth through age 15. The site also includes links to games and educational sites under the section titled “Little Clickers.”
The Technology and Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children provides information and support for providers interested in technology integration to address the needs of both disabled and gifted children.
Early Connections: Technology in Early Childhood Education is maintained by Northwest Educational Technology Consortium and provides educators and early childhood professionals with resources and support for making connections between learning and technology. The child care and preschool sections provide suggestions about learning development information, hardware, and software recommendations.
Family Center on Technology and Disability supports families, organizations and programs that work with children and youth with disabilities.
Established by Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education (CTE), the Maryland Assistive Technology Network (MATN) provides assistive technology specialists information on the most up-to-date AT policies, practices, and devices. CTE offers professional development opportunities to MATN members through its semi-annual institutes with nationally acclaimed leaders in assistive technology, regional meetings, and the MATN Online Web site. MATN membership is free and open to all Maryland educators, including: special educators, general educators, speech language pathologists, assistive technology specialists, occupational therapists, vision specialists, state administrators, district administrators, physical therapists, and hearing specialists. Be sure to check out the MATN case studies to see how the AT Cycle has been utilized in local schools with students with a range of disabilities.
Moving Forward with Technology is an online tutorial developed by the Center for Technology in Education to support educators and families of children with disabilities so the children may access and achieve within general education environments.
NAEYC Technology and Young Children Interest Forum provides resources about appropriate practices, design for technology, appropriate use of technology, and internet safety guidelines. Many of these resources are collected by a forum of 400 educational professionals.
The Office of Educational Technology coordinates the development and implementation of the U.S. Department of Education's educational technology policies, research projects, and national technology summits. The purpose of the office is to improve education through developing and implementing national educational technology policy department-wide to support the goals of No Child Left Behind.
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Project KITE is a curriculum program designed for parents and teachers of young children with disabilities. The purpose of the Project KITE curriculum is to promote inclusive teaching strategies for children with disabilities through the use of technology.
TechWatch Blog focuses on technology development of Augmentative Alternative Communication Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (AAC-RERC).
Arizona State University's TOTS and Tech site provides resource briefs on assistive technology that may be helpful in designing intervention plans with young children. Monthly newsletters highlight different ways technology can be used with young children with disabilities. For instance, the April 2011 newletter highlights specifcally how iPads can be used.
Articles
| Size | Type | |
|---|---|---|
 Technology and Early Childhood Development: Finding the BalanceDownload: TechEarlyChildhoodDevelopment.pdf | 239.83 KB | document |
Technology and Early Child Development: Finding the Balance (download on the right) is an article from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory that focuses on using technology to support learning with young children. The article also highlights helpful strategies and techniques.
