Assistive Technology in Schools: Are Teachers Ready, Able, and Supported?

Abstract

This article summarizes the results of a survey of teachers in Pennsylvania who have educational responsibility for one or more students who use assistive technology in the classroom. The majority of these students had some type of physical disability and used an augmentative communication device. The teachers who responded to this survey were highly educated and experienced in the use of computers and assistive technology. Issues surrounding the complexity of the equipment were among the greatest barriers to the use of assistive technology reported by these teachers. When asked to rate both the importance and availability of specific technology supports, training and maintenance issues were rated most highly. Teachers consistently rated supports as being more important than they were readily available.