TExES 161 Assistive Technology and Accommodations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to IDEA, how is assistive technology (AT) defined?
- Any item, piece of equipment, or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability (Correct answer)
- Software programs specifically designed for students with learning disabilities in reading and writing
- Specialized curriculum modifications that allow students with disabilities to access grade-level content
- Medical devices prescribed by licensed physicians to support students with physical disabilities
Correct answer: Any item, piece of equipment, or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability
IDEA defines AT as any item, piece of equipment, or product system — whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized — used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of low-tech assistive technology?
- A speech-generating device with dynamic display
- A pencil grip or slant board for writing support (Correct answer)
- A screen reader software program
- An FM amplification system for a student with hearing loss
Correct answer: A pencil grip or slant board for writing support
Low-tech AT refers to simple, non-electronic tools such as pencil grips, slant boards, or picture schedules that require no power source or advanced technology.
Question 3: When must an IEP team consider assistive technology for a student with a disability?
- Only when the student has a documented physical disability that prevents handwriting
- Only after general education interventions have been exhausted
- During every IEP meeting as part of special factors consideration (Correct answer)
- Only when requested in writing by the student's parent or guardian
Correct answer: During every IEP meeting as part of special factors consideration
IDEA requires IEP teams to consider AT devices and services for every student with a disability at each IEP meeting as one of the special factors that must be addressed.
Question 4: A student with autism who is nonverbal begins using a tablet-based AAC app to communicate. Which type of assistive technology is this?
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device (Correct answer)
- Cognitive prosthetic
- Sensory integration tool
- Environmental control unit
Correct answer: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device
AAC devices, including tablet-based apps, are used to supplement or replace natural speech for individuals who have difficulty with verbal communication.
Question 5: What is the primary distinction between an accommodation and a modification for a student with a disability?
- Accommodations are provided by special education teachers; modifications are provided by general education teachers
- Accommodations change how a student accesses content without altering expectations; modifications change what the student is expected to learn (Correct answer)
- Accommodations require IEP documentation; modifications can be made informally by classroom teachers
- Accommodations apply only to assessments; modifications apply only to instructional materials
Correct answer: Accommodations change how a student accesses content without altering expectations; modifications change what the student is expected to learn
Accommodations change how a student demonstrates knowledge or accesses content (e.g., extended time) without changing the learning standard, while modifications alter the content or expectations themselves.
Question 6: A student with a visual impairment uses a screen reader to access digital texts. This is an example of AT that primarily supports which functional area?
- Mobility and positioning
- Computer access and communication (Correct answer)
- Self-care and daily living skills
- Hearing and listening
Correct answer: Computer access and communication
Screen readers are computer access tools that convert text to synthesized speech, enabling individuals with visual impairments to independently access digital content.
Question 7: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) differs from traditional AT because UDL:
- Requires specialized devices for each student with a documented disability
- Proactively builds flexible options into curriculum for all learners from the outset (Correct answer)
- Is mandated by IDEA specifically for students with physical disabilities
- Replaces the need for individualized accommodations in a student's IEP
Correct answer: Proactively builds flexible options into curriculum for all learners from the outset
UDL is a proactive framework that designs flexible learning environments and materials for all students from the start, reducing the need for retrofitted accommodations rather than responding to individual needs after the fact.
TExES 161 Assistive Technology and Accommodations 1
According to IDEA, how is assistive technology (AT) defined?