Rose, D., Hasselbring, T. S. et al. (2005). Assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning: two sides of the same coin. In D. Edyburn et al (Eds). Handbook of special education technology research and practice. Whitefish Bay, WI: Knowledge by Design: 549-569.

I found this article to be very thoughtful and thorough. I have a much better understanding of both Assistive Technology (AT) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). I think that by necessity educators have focused on assistive technologies, but that increased pursuit of materials created by UDL would better support our students.
Assistive technologies serve individuals by minimizing their deficits, so it is reasonable for parents and case managers to advocate for accommodations which include AT. Who is left to advocate for the group? The authors assert that “fostering human learning will require access solutions that are optimal interactions between what is universal and what is individual.” (p. 517)
An interesting experience I had in my role as technology staff developer was attending a workshop on Kurzweil 3000, a reading, writing, and learning software. Kurzweil Education Systems originally developed text to speech software for the visually impaired, but the company expanded the product to assist any struggling reader. I think this is an excellent example of the “optimal interaction” promoted by the authors. The most basic function of the software is to read aloud any text that the user selects. The pace and tone of the speech can be adjusted. However, when marketed to struggling readers, the software displays many deeper layers of functionality. Students can annotate, create outlines, or word lists. These are skills that every student should learn and utilize. The ease with which students can accomplish these tasks is owed to the digital format of the text and the advanced software. What began as assistive technology for those who physically were unable to read evolved into a tool which adheres to UDL principles. As a result, all students are better served.