The role of the MBAEA AT Department is to serve as a resource to assist IFSP and IEP teams in building capacity regarding consideration and decisions for specific learning and performance supports in the area of assistive technology for students with disabilities.
Resources are available through the MBAEA Department website to provide initial guidance related to AT consideration, assessment, provision and effective use of assistive technology. The MBAEA AT Department may provide services to support the IFSP and IEP teams in the team’s determination of need and provision of AT devices and services. If a team or district is interested in additional support, the MBAEA AT Department can be contacted by email, phone or through the AT Help Request form located on the AT Department page of the MBAEA website. A school or home visit may be scheduled with the teacher, AEA and other team members to provide an opportunity to begin to develop the team’s plan for consideration, assessment, provision and effective use of AT.
The MBAEA AT Department is not a member of the IFSP or IEP team for purposes of plan development (e.g. IEP), plan meetings (e.g. IEP meetings), plan implementation (e.g. IEP goals) or follow-up and reporting. The AT Department member is available at the request of the MBAEA or school district to provide support to the teams in each of these areas as needs are identified by the team. Assistance may include development of the IFSP or IEP team’s consideration of AT, assessment planning, AT trials, data use, technical information, documentation and implementation planning. It is important for a school district certified staff and MBAEA IFSP or IEP team member to be a part of activities associated with these areas of MBAEA AT Department support and other team members, including students and families, may be encouraged to participate.
Acquisition and provision of required assistive technology devices is completed by the school districts for students age three and above and by the AEA for students birth through age three. An Assistive Technology Loan Library (ATLL) is managed by the MBAEA AT Department and school district and MBAEA staff may use the ATLL to access AT for trial, backup or interim use. More information is available on the MBAEA AT Department page and checkout of AT devices from the ATLL is available through MBAEA’s Media services.
A variety of MBAEA AT Department workshops and courses are provided through Staff Development for individuals working with or caring for students in MBAEA. These may include workshops held at the AEA, web-based workshops or professional learning activities provided within districts. Follow-up contact may be scheduled by the school district or MBAEA staff at any time for additional support or information.
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Contact: Assistive Technology Department
Address: Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency 729 21st St. Bettendorf, IA 52722
Phone: 563-344-6321 or 800-947-2329, ext. 6321
Email: att@mbaea.org
Web page: www.aea9.k12.ia.us
AEA Van address: Assistive Technology Department/Bettendorf Service Center
(Update 2-27-22)