CDS Assistive Technology & Adaptations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under IDEA, the IEP team is required to consider AT for a student with a disability:
- Only if the student has a physical disability
- Only when requested by a parent
- As part of the IEP development process for every eligible student (Correct answer)
- Only if the student is in a self-contained special education classroom
Correct answer: As part of the IEP development process for every eligible student
IDEA requires IEP teams to consider whether a student needs AT devices and services as part of every IEP development process.
Question 2: Which environmental control unit (ECU) technology allows individuals with severe physical disabilities to operate home appliances using a single switch?
- Bluetooth Low Energy direct control
- X-10 or smart home protocol-based ECU (Correct answer)
- Infrared remote control only
- Voice-activated smart speakers exclusively
Correct answer: X-10 or smart home protocol-based ECU
X-10 and smart home protocol-based ECUs allow appliance control through powerline or wireless signals and can be accessed via a single switch.
Question 3: A user with dyslexia reports that text-to-speech software helps comprehension but typing remains difficult. Which AT should a specialist recommend to address the typing barrier?
- A refreshable Braille display
- Word prediction software (Correct answer)
- A screen magnifier
- A static display AAC device
Correct answer: Word prediction software
Word prediction software reduces the number of keystrokes required and supports spelling, directly addressing typing difficulty for users with dyslexia.
Question 4: The AT Continuum ranges from no-tech to high-tech solutions. Which example correctly represents a mid-tech solution?
- A rubber pencil grip
- A single-message voice output device (e.g., BIGmack) (Correct answer)
- A fully programmable eye-gaze SGD
- A modified keyboard shortcut
Correct answer: A single-message voice output device (e.g., BIGmack)
A single-message voice output device like the BIGmack is considered mid-tech because it involves simple electronics without complex programming.
Question 5: Which AAC strategy involves using a set of core vocabulary words that account for the majority of what most people say?
- Fringe vocabulary approach
- Core vocabulary approach (Correct answer)
- Aided language stimulation
- Total communication
Correct answer: Core vocabulary approach
The core vocabulary approach uses a small set of high-frequency words that make up most of everyday communication, unlike fringe vocabulary which is topic-specific.
Question 6: A disability specialist is conducting a workplace AT assessment. According to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), which factor is most critical to document first?
- The cost of potential AT devices
- The specific functional limitations affecting job performance (Correct answer)
- The employee's disability diagnosis
- The employer's budget for accommodations
Correct answer: The specific functional limitations affecting job performance
JAN's process prioritizes identifying the specific functional limitations that affect job performance before exploring accommodation solutions.
Question 7: Which type of keyboard is MOST appropriate for a user with limited hand range of motion who cannot reach keys at the edges of a standard keyboard?
- An ergonomic split keyboard
- A mini keyboard (Correct answer)
- A one-handed keyboard
- A high-contrast keyboard
Correct answer: A mini keyboard
A mini keyboard has a smaller footprint that places all keys within a limited range of motion, making it accessible for users who cannot reach a full-size keyboard's edges.
CDS Assistive Technology & Adaptations 3
Under IDEA, the IEP team is required to consider AT for a student with a disability: