9 Examples of Assistive Technology in the Classroom
Written by:
Wilson College Online
• Sep 11, 2026
Classrooms across the United States have grown more inclusive in the past decade. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 67% of school-age students served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) spent at least 80% of their time during the school day in general education classes as of fall 2022.
This means that students who have difficulty holding pencils or following text on screens still work through the same lessons as every other student in their classes—and assistive technology in the classroom makes that possible. Assistive technology can range from low-tech tools, such as customized pencil grips, to high-tech tools, such as eye-gaze communication devices.
Awareness of these tools and how to use them has become an essential part of special education teaching. A dedicated program such as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Special Education teaches educators how to empower students to use technologies that help them access equal learning opportunities.
What Is Assistive Technology in Special Education?
The term “special education” refers to education especially designed for students with different learning needs or abilities. The education system uses individualized education programs (IEPs) to identify students’ individual needs and specify the accommodations they need to succeed.
An IEP is a written, legally binding document developed collaboratively by school staff; teachers; parents; and, when appropriate, the student. It determines a student’s qualifying needs for assistive technology or services. Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and school psychologists can also be part of the IEP team.
Federal law requires every IEP team to consider whether a student needs assistive technology and services each time the team develops, reviews, or revises the plan. The plan is reviewed at least annually.
Assistive technology includes tools, products, systems, and services that help students keep pace in academic settings. Assistive technology in the classroom can help eliminate or reduce barriers for students who need assistance in areas such as cognition, communication, hearing, mobility, self-care, and vision.
From physical accommodations to online digital services, school districts must evaluate different tools to determine whether they meet their students’ unique needs. Specialized training may be required to prepare both students and staff to successfully implement these technologies.
Types of Assistive Technology Used in Classrooms
Assistive technology includes tools such as alternate keyboards, braille displays, voice recognition software, and reading programs. More recent innovations include robotics, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies can be categorized as low-tech, mid-tech, or high-tech tools. The nine tools below are examples of assistive technology used in classrooms.
Low-Tech Tools
Low-tech assistive technology requires no power source and typically requires little training. Low-tech assistive tools include the following:
- Communication cards: Printed images that nonverbal students can use to express needs, such as the need for food, bathroom access, or a break, or to communicate specific emotions.
- Visual schedules: Picture sequences showing what comes next in the day that help students move between activities with confidence.
- Pencil grips: Molded sleeves that change how a student holds a pen or pencil, often assigned to students with occupational therapy needs.
Mid-Tech Tools
Mid-tech assistive technology includes tools with a specific purpose that are easy to set up and use. Examples in the classroom include the following:
- Remote microphone systems: Microphones that transmit sound directly to a student’s hearing aid or amplify sound for the entire classroom
- Adaptive switches: Battery-operated buttons connected to classroom electronics that allow students with limited motor skills to operate them independently
- Talking calculators: Devices with built-in speech synthesizers that read numbers and operation keys aloud and vocalize the answers
High-Tech Tools
High-tech assistive technology in the classroom typically involves computers, tablets, or dedicated devices and often requires professional installation and specialized teacher training. Examples of high-tech tools include the following:
- Text-to-speech applications: Software that reads on-screen text aloud, allowing students to access material without reading or decoding it
- Speech-to-text software: Applications that translate spoken language into on-screen text to support students whose oral language skills outpace their writing ability
- Eye-gaze communication devices: Devices that allow nonverbal students with severe motor impairments to type, speak, and control computers using eye movements
How Special Education Teachers Implement and Manage Assistive Technology
Successfully implementing assistive technologies in the classroom depends on educators identifying students’ needs, helping select technologies to support them, teaching students how to use those tools, and developing classroom processes that apply them.
The process includes documenting accommodations in students’ IEPs and coordinating with specialists and families.
The following are key steps involved in the process of implementing, managing, and integrating technology in the classroom:
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Making a determination: In coordination with the IEP team, teachers observe students, assess their learning needs, and identify barriers that may prevent them from completing necessary tasks.
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Matching tools with the student: After identifying a potential need for assistive technology, teachers work with specialists to determine what tools can help students meet their academic goals in areas including handwriting, reading, math, and communication skills, as well as cognitive processing.
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Running trials: After selecting supports that they believe will help students succeed, IEP teams establish conditions, time frames, and desired outcomes. They then conduct periodic reviews to assess plan effectiveness and gather insights from team members who directly interact with students, including occupational therapists, school psychologists, and other specialists.
Learn How to Incorporate Assistive Technology in the Classroom and Change Students’ Lives
Assistive technology helps students overcome barriers to learning, communication, and participation. Special education teachers play a key role in identifying the right tools and incorporating them into instruction to meet each student’s individual needs. A specialized degree such as Wilson College Online’s B.A. in Special Education helps educators develop the skills to assess students’ abilities, identify the right assistive supports, and integrate tech innovations into their classrooms.
Find out how Wilson can prepare you with the practical skills in education psychology, cognitive development, and autism education needed to establish truly inclusive classrooms.
Recommended Readings
General Education vs. Special Education: Key Differences
The Importance of Social and Emotional Learning Activities in Special Education
What Is ‘Least Restrictive Environment’?
Sources:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Assistive Technology in Schools
Assistive Technology Industry Association, What Is AT?
EBSCO, Assistive Technology in Education
MDPI, “Building Capacity With Assistive Technology in Teacher Education”
National Center for Education Statistics, Students With Disabilities, Inclusion of
Reading Rockets, Assistive Technology for Kids With Learning Disabilities: An Overview
We Are Teachers, “20+ Assistive Technology Examples to Help Students Learn”
World Wide Web Consortium, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
