The majority of interactions that students or staff had with Joey were to provide personal care services, such as feeding and changing his diaper. About the time that Joey turned eight, his life changed significantly as assistive technology was introduced into his range of supports and services. Special educators, who support students such as Joey in inclusive settings, are becoming more proficient at adapting core curriculum, infusing basic skills into daily activities, and scheduling staff, students and other resources to best meet students' needs. Using Joey's story as a backdrop, we will illustrate the importance of utilizing the full spectrum of supports and services, including the use of assistive technology, for implementing effective inclusive education practices for students with significant disabilities. A number of assistive technology resources will also be identified at the end of this article.
Many professionals have limited experience with the use of assistive technology.
Those who attempt to acquire it for their students rarely consider applications of technology beyond computers, wheelchairs or commercially available communication devices. Fortunately, Joey's teachers and advocates became familiar with the wide range of assistive devices that could increase Joey's access to his world. They quickly learned that using the right combination of adaptations could impact his education and his interactions with his peers. The following story details the changes that occurred in Joey's life as he began to use both customized adaptations and commercially available products to support his full-time membership in general education. Four years ago when he was eight years old and still attending a special day class, Joey began to learn about cause and effect through the use of a set of adapted switches connected to a Bart Simpson toy.