1. Assistive Technology Assessment Process Bonnie Young Wendy Homlish AT Consultants Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21

3. Legal Definition of AT Assistive Technology Device 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. Assistive Technology Service Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device .

6. IEP and Consideration Every IEP Team is now required to "consider" the child's need for Assistive Technology for every child in special education, as part of the Special Factors requirement in IDEA '97. IDEA '97 states: (3) DEVELOPMENT OF IEP- B) CONSIDERATION OF SPECIAL FACTORS- (v) consider whether the child requires assistive technology devices and services.

7. Conclusion Options - Consideration 1). Current interventions (whatever they may be) are working and nothing new is needed, including AT. 2). AT is already being used (or there has been a trial with AT) so that we know that it does work. In that case the IEP Team should write the specific AT into the IEP to insure that it continues to be available for the child.

8. 3). New AT should be tried. In that case, the IEP Team will need to describe in the IEP the type of AT to be tried, including the features they think may help, such as "having the computer speak the text as the student writes". 4). Team will find that they simply do not know enough to make a decision. In this case, they will need to gather more information. That could be a simple process of calling someone for help, or going to get some print, disk, or online resources to help them better "consider" what AT might be useful. It could also be an indication that they need to schedule (or refer for) an assessment of the child's need for assistive technology.

9. Consideration: Primary Questions What do we want the child to do that he cannot do because of his/her disability? What has been tried to meet the need? YES Is it working? Documentation/ Evidence to support NO What was tried? How long? How was it tried? NO YES What will be tried? Conditions? Environments? Criteria ? Ongoing process Influence – change in environment, needs, skills, technology Does the team have knowledge/resources re: technology, interventions, Strategies, modifications? Seek additional assistance

12. Students without IEPs A student with a disability that does not require special education would not be protected under IDEA. However, he or she would be protected by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This act prohibits discrimination in providing educational services to students with disabilities, whether they are in regular or special education.

28. Assistive Technology? Universal Design? (UDL)