This is the first official
legislation documenting a
definition of assistive
technology.
Annotations:
Buffalo University. (2005). Assistive technology legislation. Assistive Technology Training Online Project. Retrieved from http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/Laws/atlegislation.php#Tech
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials. (2015). Assistive technology. Retrieved from http://aem.cast.org/supporting/assistive-technology.html#.VglAW_Q3mT9
1996 - Texthelp
founded in Woburn,
MA.
Texthelp is a company
that has developed a
literacy software (Read &
Write Gold) to aid
students in reading,
writing, research and
study skills while using
common applications,
such as Microsoft Office.
Annotations:
Common Sense Media. (2015). Read & write gold 11.
Retrieved from
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/read-write-gold-11
Texthelp Ltd. (2015). Read & Write for windows.
Retrieved from http://texthelp.com/North-America/Our-products/Readwrite
Texthelp Ltd. (2015). About texthelp. Retrieved from http://www.texthelp.com/North-America/About-Texthelp/
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997
With this amendment to IDEA, assistive
technology is explicitly mentioned as a
service that should be considered when
drafting an Individualized Education
Program for students with disabilities.
Annotations:
Buffalo University. (2005). Assistive technology legislation. Assistive Technology Training Online
Project. Retrieved from http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/Laws/atlegislation.php#Tech
Wendt, O. & Lloyd, L. L.
(October, 2011). Augmentative and alternative
communications perspectives volume 4: Assistive technology: Principles and applications for communication disorders and special education. United Kingdom: Emerald Insight.
2006 to 2010 multiple studies were
completed regarding the efficacy of Read
& Write Gold
These studies found giving students
access to assistive technology in the form
of software that includes tools such as
predictive text, text to speech, etc. in order
to boost reading comprehension.
Annotations:
Lange, A. A., McPhillips, M., Mulhern, G., & Wylie, J. (2006). Assistive software tools for secondary-level students with literacy difficulties. Journal of Special Education Technology, 21(3), 13-22.
Phayer, J. (2010). The Road to Success: How Does the Use of the Text to Speech Application, Read and Write Gold, Help College Students with Dyslexia?. Special Education Technology Practice, 12(1), 22-29.
1974 - Development of the Personal Computer
The development of the personal
computer lead to an expansion of the
idea of technology in the classroom and
services that could be given to students.
Annotations:
History.com staff. (2011). Invention of the PC. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/invention-of-the-pc.
Wendt, O. & Lloyd, L. L.
(October, 2011). Augmentative and alternative
communications perspectives volume 4: Assistive technology: Principles and applications
for communication disorders and special education. United Kingdom: Emerald Insight.
2013 - Read & Write Gold 11 released
The latest version of Read &
Write has been updated to be
compatible with changing
software, such as Microsoft
365, other media, such as
iPads, and use in web
browsers, specifically Google
Chrome.
Annotations:
Holzberg, C. S. (2013). READ&WRITE GOLD FOR PC VERSION 11. Tech & Learning, 34(2), 24.
Texthelp Ltd. (2015). Read&Write for Windows Retrieved from http://www.texthelp.com/North-America/Our-products/Readwrite/Features-PC