Special Education & Communication Disorders

Assistive Technology Lab

Overview
Faculty
History/ Background
Equipment
Student lessons/ Projects

Overview
"Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988

The Assistive Technology Lab is located in Founders Hall Room 1407.  The lab is used by the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. The equipment is used to train speech-language pathologists, teachers, and potential clients.  In addition, evaluations and information are available by contacting Carolyn Stevens at the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic 650-5623.

Faculty

	"The Assistive Technology Lab at SIUE gives students the opportunity to have "hands-on" experiences using technology devices."  Dr. Victoria Scott
	"We have one of the largest collections of augmentative and alternative communication equipment in the country." Dr. Melanie Brimer

History/ Background
The Assistive Technology Lab at SIUE has been a ongoing process of equipment acquisition.  Dr. Victoria Scott pioneered the AT class in 2003, with the use of about 5 pieces of equipment.  Through discussions with Dean Lesson, portions of equipment money was being used to purchase more devices for this class.  In addition to this budget, two EUE grants have been obtained to purchase more equipment. l  The original storage closet was outgrown, and with support from the Deans Office, Educational Leadership, Special Education, and Speech Pathology/Audiology a joint classroom meeting place was created.  This lab offers one of the largest collections of augmentative and alternative communication equipment in the country.  The department has begun offering AAC evaluations to help clients obtain equipment through Medicare, Medicaid and insurance companies.

Class Information
Both graduate and undergraduate classes are being taught in the Assistive Technology Lab by both Special Education and Speech Pathology/Audiology.

The graduate class is SPPA 558 (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).

Undergraduate classes include SPPA 201 (Introduction to Human Communication and its Disorders), SPE 415 (Microcomputers and Exceptional Individuals), and SPE 481 (Seminar in Instruction of Children and Adults with Disabilities).

Admissions to the Special Education or Speech Pathology/Audiology programs are required to take these courses.

Equipment
The Assitive Technology Lab features a large variety of assisitve technology devices including but not limited to:

• Dynavox MT4: high-technology communication device
• Prentke-Romich Vantage: high-technology communication device
• Lingraphicare Lingraphica: High-technology communication device for people with aphasia
• Words+ EZ Keys: computer-based program for spelling and word prediction
• ELMO: projects 3 dimensional images onto a screen
• Wireless computers: allows students to take notes, quizzes, and research the Internet 
• Reading Pen: pronounces words that are highlighted  with the pen
• Dana wireless keyboard: allows students to type and send info. to the computer using wireless technology
• Wide variety of software: educational and loaded onto the laptops
• Wide variety of switches:  jellybean switches, infrared/sound/touch switch, etc

Lessons/ Projects 

Examples of WebQuests

Ancient World WebQuest (doc)
Busch Stadium WebQuest (doc)
Chocolate WebQuest (ppt)
Underground RR WebQuest (doc)
Polar Bear WebQuest  (ppt)

Ideal Classroom Design Ideas

Classroom Design 1 (doc)
Classroom Design 2 (ppt)
Classroom Design 3 (doc)
Classroom Design 4 (ppt)