Student & Family FAQs

Assistive technology (often abbreviated as AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.  

AT can be:

• low tech like communication boards made of materials such as cardboard, fuzzy felt, or paper.

• high tech such as special-purpose computers.

• hardware such as prosthetics, attachment devices (mounting systems), and positioning devices.

• computer hardware, like special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.

• computer software such as screen-readers or communication software.

• be inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.

• can be specialized curricular software.

• much more, including electronic devices, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze, and head trackers.

Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA.org) 

The AT Coordinator is responsible for coordinating AT services within the department. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Collaborating with IEP and 504 teams to suggest supports and strategies that address academic barriers in the student's environments.

• Providing training to parents, students and staff on different software, programs and supports.

• Educating others on the use of the SETT framework to identify barriers and determine appropriates supports for students.

• Working with instructional Technology to incorporate Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

• Reviewing Technology in district and encourage use.

• Identifying funding sources for additional technology resources.

• Mentoring/Modeling/Coaching

Although an iPad can be a great tool for some students, it doesn't necessarily work for all. To determine which device and/or strategy will be the best fit for your student to help them be successful, we use a process called the SETT Framework. We carefully look at your Student, their Environment and the Tasks they are asked to do in their educational setting to choose the appropriate Tool for them.

This is a brief overview of the consult/assessment process:

Contact: when you fill out the AT Contact Form, our goal is to contact you within five business days of receiving your request.

Consult: consults can be scheduled quickly. You can talk to an AT consultant over the phone, via email or, in-person to complete a consult.

Assessment: the assessment duration depends on the needs of the student and may need a follow-up date. An assessment must be completed within 30 days of the REED or Parental Consent to Evaluation followed by a new IEP.

Assessment Recommendations: the recommendation timeline depends on student need(s). If necessary, an AT action plan will be included in the assessment with more specific timelines.

If the AT consult is in the student's IEP, start by contacting your student's case manager. At that point, the case manager will contact us (if we haven't been contacted already by the previous educator). 

If the AT consult is not in the student's IEP and the previous case manager suggested the consult or already submitted the request, use your best professional judgment and decide if YOU think it's appropriate at this point. It takes some time to get to know students at the beginning of the year and you should try your own strategies and best practice before you contact Assistive & Instructional Technology (even with a previous consult request).

If you feel the consult is not necessary at this time, it's okay to wait to see if your new interventions, strategies and/or environment provides the support the student needs to be successful. If you do feel it's appropriate, we're happy to collaborate with you and your team.

Assistive Technology and/or Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) have a continuum of low-tech to high-tech options when consultants are making recommendations for your student (see information below for more details).