This document discusses assistive technology (AT), including its definition, history, funding sources, and appropriate uses. It defines AT as any item or equipment that helps individuals with disabilities increase their functional abilities. The document outlines how AT has evolved since the 1970s to become formally defined and mandated within education and disability laws. It also describes the AT continuum of low-tech, light-tech, and high-tech devices and provides examples of each. Funding sources for AT include school districts, Medicaid/Medicare, private insurers, and various organizations. Ethics and incorporating AT appropriately within IEPs are also addressed.

1. ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
DEVICES AND
SERVICES
Keyauna Maddox
APT 507

2. Outcome of Presentation…
 Be able to explain what Assistive Technology is.
 Understand how Assistive Technology came to be.
 Be able to identify a variety of Light and High Tech Assistive Technology
devices.
 Explain who is responsible for the funding of Assistive Technology.
 Understand how ethical practices relate to Assistive Technology.
 Explain how Assistive Technology should be used to benefit
students with disabilities.

3. What is Assistive Technology?
Any item or piece of equipment or product system acquired
commercially; off the shelf, modified, or customized, and used to
increase, maintain, or improve functional capability for an individual
with disabilities.
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-447)

4. How did Assistive Technology Evolve?
AT had not be
formally
defined, but
was being
used to assist
students with
disabilities.
1973
• AT was formally
defined.
• The “Tech Act” of
1988 formally
defined AT.
• Two specific areas
related to AT were
defined:
• Assistive
Technology Service
• Assistive
Technology Devices
1988
1975 - Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for
students with disabilities.

5. Continued…
“Tech Act” becomes
“Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act” (IDEA)
AT was mandated
Individual Transition Plans
became part of Individual
Education Plan (IEP).
1990
AT devices had to be considered for all transition plans &
part of IEP if considered necessary.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
AT no long just part of education…extended into the public arena…..
No Discrimination against individuals with disabilities!

6. Continued…
• AT reauthorized
• Students with
disabilities were
now to be
educated with
their peers.
1997
Individual with
Disabilities
Improvement Act
passed…
AT defined within
law for the first
time!
Definition of AT
did not change
Clarification was
made regarding
surgically
implanted devices
and replacement.
2004

7. What is the purpose of the Assistive
Technology Continuum?
 Assistive Technology Continuum - A tool that
categorizes the the various AT devices into no tech,
light tech and high tech.
No Tech – AT is based on the students needs…not on the device.
Light Tech – Simple tools that can assist the student & make daily activities easier.
High Tech – Usually electronic and require a power source,

8. Low Tech Examples…

9. High Tech Examples…..

10. Funding - Who’s
Responsible?
School District Level – Responsible for any AT devices or
services that appears in students IEP.
Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance (Focus of AT is
more for medical need) – Assist in paying for AT services.
Other Options:
1. Special needs libraries
2. Lending libraries
3. Disability Organizations
4. Churches, Service Clubs, Local Business & Vendors
5. Family & Friends

11. What role does Ethics play in AT?
Ethics – Standard of conduct directly related to the profession in which you
practice.
Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America
(RESNA)
 Professional organization for AT
 Code of Ethics standards are specific for AT
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
 Largest international professional organization devoted to individuals with
disabilities
 Advocates for appropriate policies
 Sets professional standards
 Provide professional development

12. Ethics continues…
1. Is the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team doing what is right for
the student?
2. Does the IEP team have an understanding of what technology can
and will do for the student?
3. Is AT appropriate for this student?
4. Is the IEP team ensuring that ethical standards of practices are
being followed.
5. Are educators being adequately trained (professional
development) in AT?

13. How to Incorporate AT?
IEP Team Must:
1. Identify how student will access the general education curriculum
2. Identify learning goals for student
3. Determine what accommodations and modifications student will needed
to meet their specific goals.
4. AT services or devices must be considered as part of students IEP plan.
5. ALL parties involved MUST regard privacy issues!

14. FUNDING
Local Sources
 For small monetary requests (under approximately
$2500)
• Service Organizations
• Local Businesses
• Community Foundations
Large Foundations
 Additional funding for larger requests (Typically over
$5000)
• Private Foundations
• Corporate Foundations
• Visit MATRs website for more resources
 http://www.cenmi.org/matr

15. OUTSIDE FUNDING
Service Organizations
 Many local service organizations may provide money to help
someone in their community. You can get a list of these
organizations from your local Chamber of Commerce. Some
examples of these organizations would be: Rotary Club,
Kiwanis, Lions Club, JayCees, Business and Professional
Women’s Association.
Community Foundations
 A Community Foundation is much like a private foundation;
its funds, however, are derived from many donors rather than
a single source. They handle bequests from those who do
not wish to establish an individual private foundation,
donations from corporations within the area, and donations
from small givers. They are usually established for a specific
geographic area.
Private Foundations
 These are non-profit organizations with an endowment
usually donated from a single source, such as an individual
or family. The private foundation is usually established from
personal wealth. Examples of a private foundation would
include Rockefeller Foundation, William H. and Grace A Dow
Foundation, and Knight Family Charitable and Educational
Foundation.


16. OUTSIDE FUNDING CON’T
Corporate Foundation
 Created by a corporation; a way for the corporation to
return some of its profits to the community. Corporations
have widely varying corporate philanthropy programs and
can be a great source of funding for educational purposes.
Some examples of a corporate foundation might be AT & T,
Barnes & Noble, Kmart Corporation Contributions
Program.
 There may be a private foundation and a corporate
foundation of the same name. Do not confuse foundations
with similar names. Even though their origins may be
similar, their purposes may be very different. Example:
William H and Grace A. Dow Foundation (private
foundation) and Dow Chemical Company Foundation
(corporate foundation)

17. OUTSIDE FUNDING CON’T
Local Businesses
 Do not overlook smaller companies and
independently owned businesses in your area. While
individual companies or businesses may not be able
to fund a grant idea on their own, several could
contribute to fund a project. Even some larger
corporations tend to “give where they live”.


18. IDEA
It is important to remember that IDEA ’97 clearly states
that it is the school’s responsibility to purchase needed
AT but IDEA does not prevent you from seeking
additional funding from outside sources. At no time, can
the responsibility for funding for devices or services be
passed on to the student’s family.

19. Questions or Comments…..

20. Resources:
Beard, L., Carpenter, L., Johnston, L. (2011). Assistive Technology: Access for
All Students. New Jersey: Pearson.
Assistive Technology Enabling Dreams. (2009).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ5CkpgVQJ4&feature=relatedg
Examples of Low Tech Assistive Technology.
www.k12.wa.us/pubdocs/LowTechAssistiveTechnology.pdf
Assistive Technology: Type of High Tech Assistive Technology.
www.ist.hawaii.edu/training/tech/07_types2.php