IMPLEMENTING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE DENNIS-YARMOUTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

DY SCHOOL DISTRICT = 3,044 STUDENTS

• 16.2 % identified as having disibilities
• 42.2% as low income
• 8% as English Language Learners

IDENTIFICATION OF NEED

The Office of Pupil Services provides all students with disabilities ages 3-22 the services they need to access their education in the least restrictive environment
DYRHS website 2015

THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT DY PROVIDES. . .

• Speech and Language Services
• Vision Services
• Social Work Services
• Physical Therapy, Home and Medical Services
• Occupational Therapy and Transportation Services

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Public schools that receive federal financial assistance are required to provide Free Appropriate Education for students with disibilities

The Special Education Team Chair at DYRHS is responsible for writing all of the IEP's and facilitating services for students. Education plans are reviewed and evaluated every 3years or on request.

Every Special Education student at DYRHS has a Sped Liason. The Special Education team, the Liaison, and the Guidance counselor collaborate with classroom teachers to follow student accommodations and differentiation practices.

Education Plans are reviewed by the Special Education Team when a student is not succeeding in school. Services may be added or taken away if needed and consent is provided by the family.

To identify a student in need a Student Study Team meeting is held-- a Response to Intervention. Accommodations are put in place or testing is initiated.

Teachers Supporting Teachers at DYRHS is a group of educators who gather information about a student and determine what AT and services are needed to help this student access the curriculum.
Teachers refer a student in need for evaluation.

"Regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the individual educational needs of students as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities are met"
US Department of Education 2015

Low Tech Tools are used with students with ADHD to channel their energy and focus their attention

High Tech Tools are used to level the playing field for all students and to reinforce content

D-Y uses the SETT Framework to evaluate AT
Student
Envirornment
Tasks
Tools

Inclusive programs at DYRHS
Alternative learning program
W.A.V.E. program
(Work Aptitudes/Attitudes for Vocational Education Program)
Transition Program
Sea-2 Program
Medically Fragile Program

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE D-Y LIBRARY

Untitled Slide

We separated the library into sections to evaluate if AT was needed to improve access in that area

The following areas were identified and modified:

Student Support Desk
2 conference rooms
2 computer labs
Fiction bookshelves
Student Support Classroom

LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOMS

VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL

Soft Technology
"The human areas of decision making, strategies, training, concept formation and service delivery included within Assistive Technology services."


Cook, A.(2009).Ethical Issues Related to the Use/Non-Use of Assistive Technologies

INCREASED SIGNAGE

SUPPORT PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS

HARD TECHNOLOGY

SSC CLASSROOM BEFORE MODIFICATIONS

LIBRARY BOOKSHELVES WERE RELOCATED FOR THE NEW SSC CLASSROOM

BARRIERS REMOVED

NEW ORGANIZATION SYSTEM

INCREASED ACCESS

STUDY CARRELS WERE RELOCATED

Study carrels were added to help students to focus and smaller tables for group work

SSC After
Modifications included a move to the front of the library to allow for more space, natural light and additional seating.

THE NEW SSC CLASSROOM

PLEASE COMPLETE THE BRIEF SURVEY AT END OF THE PRESENTATION