Developed by:

1023 South U.S. 27 • St. Johns, MI • 48879Phone: 800.274.7426 • Fax: 989.224.0330TTY: 989.224.0246 • E-mail: matr@edzone.net

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Web site: www.cenmi.org/matr

Michigan’s Assistive Technology Resource

1. The overall purpose of MATR is to provide information services, support materials, technical assistance, and training to local and intermediate school districts in Michigan to increase their capacity to address the assistive technology needs of students with disabilities.

2. MATR’s Web site is: www.cenmi.org/matr/

3. Services to schools are FREE and include:

• Support to IEP team members during the process of considering AT.

• Equipment loan program to schools for trials of AT.• Software loan library for parents and school personnel.• Training/inservice—inservice workshops, intensive

trainings, and development of training materials.

This document was produced and distributed through an IDEA Mandated Activities Project for Michigan’s Assistive Technology Resource awarded by the Michigan Department of Education. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan State Board of Education, or the U.S. Department of Education, and no endorsement is inferred. This document is in the public domain and may be copied for further distribution when proper credit is given. For further information or inquiries about this project, contact the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, Michigan 48909.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW

The Michigan Department of Education complies with all Federal laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination, and with all requirements of the U.S. Department of Education.

Compliance with Title IX

What Title IX is: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is the landmark federal law that bans sex discrimination in schools, whether it is in curricular, extra-curricular, or athletic activities.

Title IX states: “No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid.”

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. (Title IX), and its implementing regulation, at 34 C.F.R. Part 106, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The MDE, as a recipient of federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Education (USDOE), is subject to the provisions of Title IX. MDE does not discriminate based on gender in employment or in any educational program or activity that it operates.

The designated individual at the Michigan Department of Education for inquiries and complaints regarding Title IX is:

Ms. Roberta E. StanleyDirectorOffice of Administrative Law and Federal RelationsMichigan Department of EducationHannah Building608 West AlleganP.O. Box 30008Lansing, Michigan 48909Phone: 517.335.0436E-Mail: stanleyr@michigan.gov

Single SwitchSingle Switch

Assistive TechnologyAssistive TechnologySingle SwitchSingle Switch

Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

The Basics

• Define assistive technology and services.

• Identify appropriate assistive technology consideration.

• Acquire foundation knowledge of assistive technology team function.

• Learn what a single switch is and the various types.

• Understand how and what a single switch operates.

• Identify potential users.

• Explore single switch software.

Objectives

IDEA ‘97 & Assistive Technology

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA ‘97 (Public Law 105-17) mandates the provision of assistive technology and offers clear definitions of assistive technology devices and services.

Legal Definition

Assistive Technology Device

Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized—that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities. (Section 300.5)

Legal Definition

Assistive Technology Service

• (a) Evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child’s customary environment;

• (b) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;

• (c) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;

• (d) Coordinating and use of other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;

• (e) Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate, that child’s family; and

• (f) Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of children with disabilities. (Section 300.6)

IDEA Facts

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA ‘97) mandates that all children with disabilities are entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

• Schools are required to provide Assistive Technology at no cost to the parents if it is needed for a student to receive a free appropriate education.

• The Individual Education Program team determines what constitutes “free and appropriate” and must decide on a case by case basis for each individual student.

• Assistive Technology device ownership remains with the public agency and State law governs whether parents are liable for loss, theft, or damage due to negligence or misuse.

IDEA Facts

IDEA ‘97 also requires IEP teams to consider the assistive technology needs of students during the development of an IEP.

Section 614 (d)(3)(B) Consideration of Special Factors.-

The IEP Team shall—(v) consider whether the child requires assistive technology devices and services.

Assistive technology consideration must be tailored to meet the student’s individual needs.

A decision making framework is helpful in determining a student’s assistive technology needs.

Use of a Consideration Framework

SETTStudent Environment Tasks Tools

by Joy Zabala

www.joyzabala.com

SETT is a framework that assists teams in the consideration process.

Critical elements of SETT:

•Process•Communication•Multiple perspectives

Example of a Framework for AT Consideration

•Collaboration•Flexibility•Pertinent information

STUDENT

TASKS

TOOLS

What specific tasks occur in the environments which enable progress toward mastery of IEP goals and objectives?

SETTBy Joy Zabala (1994)

What are the student’s special needs and abilities?

What are the functional areas of concern?

What does the students need to be able to do that is difficult or impossible to do independently at this time?

What are the student’s current abilities?

What activities take place in the environment?

What materials, equipment, supports, resources are available?

What is the physical arrangement?

Where will the student participate- classroom, home, community, therapy?

ENVIRONMENT

What activities is the student expected to do?

Tools must be student centered.

Describe tool features that are needed.

Tools are devices and services- everything that is needed to help the student succeed.

Tools are on a continuum from no/low, mid, high.

What is a Single Switch?

What is a Single Switch?

Assistive Technology definition:

A device that adapts equipment for individuals with disabilities to improve access to environment, movement, communication and computers.

Individuals who utilize switches for access may need a considerable amount of time in which to develop the proficient skills. As all motor and cognitive skills these are best learned from an early age with suitable activities and teaching strategies.

Basic Single Switch Components

- mono plug - -cord - - momentary contact switch -

Potential Single Switch Users?

• Individuals with upper extremity impairments including:

Poor Fine Motor Skills (coordination)Severe limitations in upper extremity

movement

• Young children/early computer users• Individuals with cognitive disabilities • Individuals with visual impairments• Individuals with unintelligible speech

Upper Extremity Limitations Impacting Computer Use

Individuals with upper extremity motor impairmentsor limitations may have difficulties in the followingareas:

1. Turning computer power switches on and off2. Accessing keyboard, targeting correct keys, holding

keys down too long, etc.3. Operating a mouse effectively

A computer properly adapted with single switch technology can allow individuals with disabilities and/or limitations an improved quality of life.

Considerations for Switch Access & Assessment

• Reliability of motor movement • Endurance level & efficiency of movement• Ease of performing movement• Previous successful movements• Reaction time• Activation and release time • Positioning

Connecting a Single Switch

Single Switch Hardware

• Types of Switches• Mechanical• Electronic

• Mounting and Positioning Devices

• Switch Interfaces

Mechanical Single Switches

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Electronic Single Switches

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Single Switch Feedback

It is important to consider the following types:

• Auditory

• Tactile

• Visual

• Kinesthetic

Single Switch Mounting Devices

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Single Switch Mounting Devices

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More Single Switch Mounting Devices

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More Single Switch Mounting Devices

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What Can a Single Switch Operate?

Computer Power wheel chair Augmentative Alternative Communication

(AAC) devices Toys Classroom tools Electronic aides to daily living (EADLS)

Connecting a Single Switch

Connecting a Single Switch to Computers

Basically, a switch acts like a left mouse click.

Connecting a Single Switchto Computers

Switch Interface Switch Adapted Mouse Track Ball mouse Intellikeys USB Mouse Adapters

Power Mobility Single Switch

Power wheelchairs may be operated with a single switch or multiple switches.

Photo credit: Enabling Devices

Single Switch AAC Activation Some communication devices are a single switch or can be activated by a single switch

plugged into it.

Some have only one message repeated each time it is depressed, or levels of messages

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Single Switch AAC Activation

Some communication devices can be operated with a single switch.

Single switch activated devices require a scanning feature to move between choices.

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Switch Adapted Toys and Classroom Tools

Most battery toys may be adapted to operate with a single switch.

Adapting classroom tools with a switch increases participation.

Example of Switch Adapted Activity

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Single Switch EADLS

These devices allow control over environment with a single switch.

Some devices have scanning features that have the ability to operate appliances.

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Single Switch Software

Single Switch Skill Progression

Beginning Level – Cause and effect Activate switch something happens

Intermediate Level – Simple Scanning Select by scanning among several options

Advanced Level – Complex Scanning Selecting a category that then displays other options

Resources

Local

RegionalNational

State

•MATR

•MACUL

•TAM/CEC

•AT Contact•CTG•ATA•CSUN•WATI•RESNA•UCP•AER•ASHA•AOTA

ResourcesMATR (Michigan’s Assistive Technology Resource) http://www.cenmi.org/matr

TAM/CEC (Technology & Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children) http://www.tamcec.org/

MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) http://macul.org/

Closing The Gap http://closingthegap.com/

ATA (Alliance for Technology Access) http://www.ataccess.org/

CSUN (California State University Northridge) http://www.csun.edu/

RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America) http://www.resna.org/

WATI (Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative) http://www.wati.org/

ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) http://asha.org/

AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) http://www.aota.org/

UCP (United Cerebral Palsy Association) http://www.ucpa.org/

AER (Association for Education and Rehabilitation for Blind and Visually Impaired) http://www.aerbvi.org/

Joy Zabala, Assistive Technology Consultant – http://www.joyzabala.com

Assistive Technology – A LIFE TOOL!

THANK YOU