EDUC 477:

Assistive Technology/Universal Design for the General Classroom Settings

Author: Rori Scherr

  1. What is IP Relay Service and list two benefits of IP Relay? http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs.html
  2. What are the differences between an IEP, IFSP, IWRP, and ITP?- http://natri.uky.edu/resources/fundamentals/laws.html
  3. List 3 areas of writing that a individual with a disability might have difficulty with and list a piece of AT that might be helpful for each. - http://www.gatfl.org/ldguide/write.htm
  4. What is a service animal and why might a person with a disability be asked to remove a service animal from a certain location? - http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/svcanimb.htm
  5. What is the Sign4Me(tm) Communicator and how is it used? - http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2002/proceedings/167.htm

Answers submitted by: Adikie Davidson

  1. IP Relay allows people who have difficulty hearing or speaking to communicate with anyone in the world through an Internet connection. IP Relay is accessed using a computer and the Internet, rather than a TTY and a telephone. Availability – IP Relay is available to anyone who has access to the Internet via a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), Web-capable telephone, or other device. Also, Convenience – Consumers do not need to go to a separate TTY or log off the Internet to use a TTY telephone line.
  2. Individualized Education Program (IEP) for every student who is enrolled in special education. The IEP is developed by a team of professionals, parents, and the student (when appropriate). Among other things, the IEP team identifies the student's strengths and weaknesses and defines long term goals and specific objectives for the student's educational program. Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) is from birth to 3 and for those who are eligible for rehabilitation services through the development of an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). IDEA also requires the development of an Individualized Transition Plan (ITP) for all special education students of 14 years of age, or older, to prepare the student for post-school environments.
  3. Individuals with written language disorders may have difficulty with one or more aspects of written language such as writing legibly, spelling, and organizational skills. An AT device like pencil grips, which build up the shaft of a pencil or pen can help the user control the pencil for easier writing. Electronic spell checkers can be used for students that have problems with spelling. Word processing can help make writing easier because of built in supports in most word processing applications.
  4. Service animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets. A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the animal is out of control and the animal's owner does not take effective action to control it (for example, a dog that barks repeatedly during a movie) or (2) the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
  5. Sign4Me(tm) Communicator is an automated English text to Signed English and lip- synched speech translation device. English text may be typed or pasted into the device, resulting in Signed English and voiced English outputs. SigningAvatar(tm) technology uses computer generated three dimensional (3D) characters (also known as avatars) to communicate sign-enabled or scripted English text in variants of ASL. In this technology each sign is stored as motions of body joints as a function of time. Each facial expression is stored as motions of control points of the face.