What is A.T?

Assistive technology is any tool or device that a student with a disability uses to do a task that he or she could not otherwise do without it or any tool the student uses to do a task more easily, faster, or in a better way. It can be a commercial product or something someone makes. It can be a simple “low tech” device such as a pencil grip or an expensive “high tech” device such as a computer.

The legal definition of assistive technology is, “.. 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 a child with a disability.” (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(1))

How does the IEP team know if assistive technology is “needed” or “required”? The only way to truly know whether assistive technology will make a significant difference for a student is try it out. For instance if a student is struggling with getting meaning from printed text, the IEP team may think that the student will benefit from having text scanned into a computer and spoken. The only way to determine if this will work is to try it. If the student has never tried the assistive technology, the IEP team should write the trial use of the technology into the IEP, rather than the purchase or permanent acquisition of the assistive technology.

What are assistive technology services? They are any service that is needed to help the student acquire or use the assistive technology. Assistive technology services include:

• assessing the student’s need for assistive technology
• fitting, adapting, maintaining, and repairing the assistive technology as needed
• training the student to use the assistive technology, and
• training the school staff, and if necessary, the family to use the assistive technology.

Does the school district have to buy the assistive technology? The school district is required to “provide” the assistive technology. They may borrow or rent a device or seek donated funds to purchase it, in addition to school district funds. Some children receive Medicaid assistance which may approve the purchase of some assistive technology. When Medicaid purchases the technology, it is the property of the family.

Does the district send the assistive technology home? The IEP team must decide if the assistive technology is needed at home. The law states: “On a case-by-case basis, the use of school-purchased assistive technology devices in a child's home or in other settings is required if the child's IEP team determines that the child needs access to those devices in order to receive FAPE. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(12)(B)(i))