2. What is it?
• Assistive technology is any device or
service that helps a student with a
disability function adequately within the
classroom and meet all goals and
expectations set forth in the students’
IEP.
3. What is it? Con’t
– Assistive Technology equips students with disabilities
with a means to accomplish academic goals and
complete tasks when properly integrated. Though access
to Assistive Technology is limited, it has the potential to
enhance the quality of the students’ with disabilities
education and their quality of life. Assistive Technology is
comprised of devices and services that work in concert.
In order to be successful both are necessary.
4. Assistive
Technology
Devices
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines an
Assistive Technology device as “any item, piece of equipment, or
product system, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the
functional capabilities of a child and specifically excludes a medical
device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such a
device.
Authority: 20 U.S.C 1401(1) or IDEA Amendments of 2004. P.L. 108-446, 20 U.S.C. S 1400 et seq., 300.5)
5. Assistive
Technology
Services
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines
an assistive Technology service as “an service that directly assists a
child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an
Assistive Technology device.
Services include:
– Evaluating the students’ need for device
– Buying, leasing, or acquiring the device
– Selecting, fitting, adapting, repairing, or replacing the device as needed
– Coordinating services for the student who uses a device
– Providing training or technical assistance to the student, family, teachers, or
others involved in the use of the device.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(1)) or IDEA Amendments of 2004, P.L. 108-446, 20 U.S. C. S 1400 et seq., 300.06)
6. Laws regarding
Assistive
Technology
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1990
(P.L. 101-476) and 1997 (P.L. 105-17)
• Although the Tech Act first defined AT devices and services, it was IDEA in 1990 that first
outlined the school district's responsibility to provide AT to students with disabilities. IDEA also
included the Tech Act's Assistive Technology Devices and Services and a specific statement
about the school district's role:
[IDEA] 300.308 Assistive Technology
Each public agency shall ensure that assistive technology devices or assistive technology services
or both, as those terms are defined in 300.5 - 300.6 are made available to a child with a disability if
required as part of the child's
• (a) Special education under 300.17;
• (b) Related services under 300.16; or
• (c) Supplementary aids and services under 300.550(b)(2).
7. Laws regarding
Assistive
Technology CON’T
• Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with
Disabilities Act of 1988 (Tech Act) (P.L. 100-407)
The "Tech Act" provided federal funds to states to develop training and delivery systems for
assistive technology devices and services. It required states and territories to develop
statewide, consumer responsive programs of technology-related services for individuals with
disabilities of all ages. This act first defined Assistive Technology Devices and Services and
promoted the availability and quality of AT devices and services to all individuals, including
children.
• Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-394)
This Tech Act amendment affirms that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to
improve the lives of Americans with disabilities. It extends the funding of the 50 states and six
territories to develop permanent, comprehensive, statewide programs of technology-related
assistance.
8. Hearing Impaired
AT
Hearing Assistive Technology Systems (HATS)
These are devices that are used along with hearing aids or cochlear
implants to enhance the day to day communication, make hearing
easier, and reduce fatigue
10. Learning
Disabled AT
Variable Speed Tape Recorders
Tape recorders allow a user to listen to pre-recorded text or to capture
spoken information and play it back later at variable speeds. Students
can speed up or slow down the playback without distorting the
“speakers” voice.
11. Physically Impaired
AT
SmartNAV 4. (hands-free sensor control)
Head tracking system that allows a physically disabled
individual to completely control a computer by naturally
moving the head. It is reliable, accurate, and hands-free.
12. References
• Assistive Technology to Meet K–12 Needs. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te7assist.htm
• (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://allyouareandcanbe.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
• Assistive Technology in Education/Physically Handicapped. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015,
from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Assistive_Technology_in_Education/Physically_Handicapped
• Center for Parent Information and Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ata/
• Hearing Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Hearing-Assistive-Technology/
• Business.outlookindia.com | Big Vision. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.outlookbusiness.com/printarticle.aspx?266800
