Assistive Technology (AT)




AT INTRO


Assistive Technology Mandate

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),educators are required to consider assistive technology for all children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), (§34 C.F.R300.346.2.(v)), and to provide assistive technology for students who require it for Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (§34 C.F.R.300.6 (b)).
Definitions:

  • Assistive Technology Device:  An "assistive technology device" is any item or piece of equipment used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability.  A device may be acquired off the shelf, modified, or customized. 
  • Assistive Technology Services:  An "assistive technology service" is any service which helps a person learn about, acquire and use an assistive technology device.  Assistive Technology services include:
    1. the evaluation of the needs of an individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the individual in the individual's customary environment;
    2. purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities;
    3. selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology services;
    4. coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
    5. training or technical assistance for an individual with disabilities, or, where appropriate, the family of an individual with disabilities; and
    6. training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of individuals with disabilities.
Resources:

Minnesota Assistive Technology Manual

GPII Unified Listing (Search for information on Assistive Technology Tools and Devices. The Unified Listing is built by an international consortium in collaboration with the non-profit Raising the Floor – International. The best place for access to communication, computers and digital devices. We bring together information from 12 different databases in Europe, the US and Australia.)
Metro ECSU Assistive Technology Community of Practices Resources (Note: Click on the 3 lines next to "AT CoP" on the upper left hand side of the page.)