The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 defines AT as "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."
Universal technology is technology that is available to all students in the learning environment.
When an universal technology is uniquely REQUIRED by a student in order to access a free and appropriate education (FAPE), then the item is Assistive Technology. For example, a student listening to audiobooks is accessing intstructional technology. A student who needs audiobooks in order to access content is using assitive technology. If a student relies on AT, the AT must be included in the IEP and consistently provided in order for the student to make progress within the curriculum.
As part of the IEP process, IDEA 2004 mandates that the assistive technology needs of students must be considered by the IEP team. These needs must be documented within the section commonly referred to as "Team Considerations of Special Factors", under the Planning tab in IEPOL. To consider AT, the team must ask: "Does the student need AT in order to meaningfully participate and make progress in the general curriculum?"
Rather than a one-time “event” conducted by an expert or specialist, assistive technology assessment is best thought of as a collaborative process by which a team (e.g. IEP team) determines what technologies would improve a student's performance, participation, and independence. Accomplishing this relies on the collective knowledge and skills of the individual IEP Team members, each of whom has a unique perspective of the student and his/her abilities, level of performance, curricula, etc. both in school and at home. While AT consideration is generally a brief process, an AT assessment implies a more in-depth look at the student's abilities and needs for AT.
The purpose of AT consultation is to identify tools outside of available options. It may also help to improve the implementation of available tools. The Special Education Technology Center provides consultation to School teams to assist with AT decision making. Talk to your IEP team about their AT consideration process and/or about requesting SETC Consultation.
Check in with your IEP team to talk about assistive technology tools that may remove learning barriers for your child. Many school districts have assistive technology for students to trial. The Special Education Technology Center in Washington State has an AT Lending Library. Schools can check out AT to trial with students for 30 days to help make decisions about a child's AT needs.
This page was adapted from Edmonds School Districts Assistive Technology Q&A page