Assistive Technology (AT) does not have to be high tech to be effective. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that the IEP team consider Assistive Technology needs in the development of an IEP (IDEA, Section 1414(d)(3)(B)(v)). Assistive Technology should also be considered for students with a 504 Plan. The use of appropriate AT devices and services can allow students with disabilities to participate in, benefit from, and maximize accessibility to the general education curriculum and a free appropriate public education (FAPE) (IDEA, Section 1411(e)(2)(C)(v)).
The Utah Center for Assistive Technology (UCAT) oversees 30 Utah Assistive Technology Teams (UATT) throughout the state. These teams support all the public schools in the state by providing high-quality assistive technology assessments for students ages 3-21, who have an IEP or 504 Plan. Parents and teachers can request an Assistive Technology evaluation from UATT in each district. During an IEP or 504 meeting, the team should use the Assistive Technology Consideration Support Document created by the USBE. This form will help guide the team in its AT evaluation.
If an assistive technology evaluation is requested, a referral form is completed by the school staff or parent containing the following information:
The UCAT will also assist parents and individuals to find AT that will be appropriate and useful for them, as well as loan devices for a 30-day trial. There are many different AT options for helping in each area of need, so it is important to choose what works best for the student. Remember, the greatest technology in the world is useless if the student doesn’t like it and won’t use it. It is also important that parents and teachers become familiar with the AT the student is using. AT is not exclusive to secondary students; it can be useful to students in elementary school as well. Demonstrations of AT and apps can be found on the developer’s websites.
While assistive technology is always changing, the following are some helpful resources:
GENERAL ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION
AUDIOBOOKS
Learning Ally (http://www.learningally.org/) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping students with disabilities including blindness, visual impairment, and dyslexia. A paid subscription is required.
Bookshare (https://www.bookshare.org/cms/) offers the world’s largest collection of accessible titles. As a result, people of all ages, as well as schools and many organizations around the globe, can access the books they need for school, work, career advancement, skill development, and the simple love of reading in formats that work for them. Membership is free for qualified students.
Overdrive (https://www.overdrive.com/) allows users to checkout e-books and audiobooks from their public library. A library card is required.
Audible (https://www.audible.com/). Audiobooks require a paid subscription.
The Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled (https://blindlibrary.utah. gov) provides special public library services for people who are blind, visually disabled, physically disabled, and reading disabled. The Utah Library is part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (https://www.loc.gov/nls/) network through the Library of Congress.
BUILT-IN FEATURES
Apple devices
iPad accessibility features (https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ipad/learningand-literacy/)
Built-In Accessibility Features in iOS (https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/assistivetechnology-thats-built-into-mobiledevices)
Android devices
Assistive Technology Apps for Android (http://www.eastersealstech.com/2012/07/03/assistive-technologyapps-for-android/)
Built-In Accessibility Features in Android(https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/assistivetechnology-thats-built-into-mobiledevices)
Google Chrome Apps and Extensions
Google Chrome Built-in Tools