What is Assistive Technology ( A T )?

Congress guarantees the availability of Assistive Technology for people with disabilities and defines it in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( I D E A ) as devices and services:

...assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities. Exception: The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device.

...assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes:

• The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment;
• Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;
• Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices;
• Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
• Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability, or if appropriate, that child's family; and
• Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation service), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of children with disabilities.

The Individual Education Program ( I E P )

Where is A T in the I E P?

Assistive Technology is documented in the following sections of the I E P:

• Consideration of Assistive Technology.
• Summary of Deliberations.
• I E P Coordination Page.

A T and the I E P - Top Ten Critical Elements:

1. Develop measurable goals and objectives.
2. Base goals and objectives on the general curriculum first.
3. Focus on student performance outcomes and functional application.
4. Address the critical questions presented in the Texas "Consideration" module during the development of the I E P.
5. Write collaborative, integrated goals and objectives.
6. Write curriculum based objectives, then include assistive technology needed to accomplish that objective.
7. Generally use generic terminology focusing on features rather than using brand names.
8. Include a system of A T devices to accomplish tasks, not just one tool.
9. Be specific.
10. Include A T services and program supports to be provided in the I E P.

(Diana Carl and Joy Zabala, A T and the I E P: Building a Solid Foundation, Closing the Gap Preconference, 2002.)

The Do's of Assistive Technology:

• Consider the need for Assistive Technology at every annual I E P/ Admissions, Review, and Dismissal (A R D) meeting.
• When describing Assistive Technology in a child's I E P, always refer to what the device/material is providing, not its name; for instance, "auditory word processing software" in lieu of the name of the software, portable word processor in lieu of device name, and single message voice output device in lieu of device name.
• A T is determined by the student's educational need in order to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities.
• Always make sure that the section of the A R D that addresses Assistive Technology correctly reflects that the student has access to or does not require the use of Assistive Technology.