The document provides an overview of assistive technology (AT) in the context of legal frameworks like IDEA, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. It details definitions of AT devices and services, legal obligations for schools and funding sources available for individuals with disabilities. The content emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to assistive technology to support educational achievement for students with disabilities.

1. Policy & Funding Overview
Assistive Technology Bootcamp
ATIA 2013
Behnke and Marotta
1

2. Objectives
 Assistive Technology definitions
 Legal overview
◦ IDEA
◦ Technology-related Assistance Act
◦ Americans with Disabilities Act
◦ Rehab Act & Section 508
 Funding
2

3. An assistive technology device is…
Any item, piece of equipment, or product
system, whether acquired commercially
off the shelf, modified, or customize, that
is used to increase, maintain, or improve
functional capabilities of a child with a
disability
3

4. An assistive technology service is…
Any service that directly assists a person
with a disability in the
selection, acquisition, or use of an
assistive technology device.
4

5. IDEA 2004: Final Regulations
Sec 300.5 AT Devices
 Federal definition of • School-owned AT must
Assistive Technology be made available to the
child at home or in other
educational settings IF
• The school district must
THE IEP Committee
provide the AT devices
that are required by the DETERMINES that
access to the AT in those
child as part of his
places is necessary for
special
the child to receive
education, related
services, and/or FAPE.
supplementary aids and
services
5

6. IDEA 2004: Final Regulations
Sec 300.6 AT Services
• Federal definition of and services
Assistive Technology • Services include, but
not limited to:
• The school district must • Assessment
provide the AT services • Evaluation
that are required by the • Trials
child as part of his
• Maintenance/repair
special
education, related • Follow-up
services, and/or • Funding
supplementary aids
6

7. The Legal Evolution of Access in
Public Schools
 EHA 1975 Access to schools
 IDEA 1990 Access to classrooms
 IDEA 1997 Access to general
education curriculum
 IDEA 2004 Access to instructional
materials
7

8. Congressional Intent of IDEA 2004
 Improved student performance
 Increased accountability
 Strong parental participation
 High expectations for student
achievement
 Linked to the general education
curriculum
 Accessible instructional materials
8

9. Congressional Intent of IDEA 2004
 Requires consideration of AT in the IEP
process
 Places responsibility for decision-making
with ARD committees
 Requires accessible instructional materials
IDEA 2004 affirms emphasis on Assistive
Technology as a means to support
educational achievement
9

10. Technology Related Assistance for
Individuals with Disabilities Act
 2004 amendment the Act now required
States to provide direct aid to individuals
with disabilities
 Ensure access to technology
 The majority of State efforts are required to
be conducted in the following areas:
◦ assistive technology reutilization programs
◦ assistive technology demonstration programs
◦ alternative financing programs and
◦ device loan programs
 http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide
10

11. Americans with Disabilities Act 1990
 July 26, 1990
 Most important piece of civil rights legislation
relating to individuals with disabilities.
 The purpose of the ADA is to:
◦ Provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate
to end discrimination against individuals with
disabilities
◦ Provide enforceable standards addressing
discrimination against individuals with disabilities
◦ Ensure that the federal government plays a central
role in enforcing these standards on behalf of
individuals with disabilities
11

12. Americans with Disabilities Act 1990
 Title I - Employment - Business must provide
reasonable accommodations to protect the rights
of individuals w/ disabilities in all aspects of
employment
 Title II - Public Services - Public services cannot
deny services to people w/ disabilities which are
available to people w/o disabilities. Public
transportation systems must be accessible
12

13. Americans with Disabilities Act 1990
 Title III - Public Accommodations - All new
construction and modifications must be accessible.
For existing facilities, barriers to services must be
removed if readily achievable
 Title IV - Telecommunications - Telephone relay
service to individuals who use telecomm devices
(Deaf and Speech Impaired)
 Title V - Miscellaneous - Includes a provision
prohibiting either (a) coercing or threatening or (b)
retaliating against the disabled or those attempting
to aid people with disabilities in asserting their
rights under the ADA.
13

14. Rehab Act & Section 508
 Amendments of 1998 which covers access
to federally funded programs and services
 Requires access to electronic and
information technology provided by the
Federal government
 Federal agencies must ensure that this
technology is accessible to employees
and members of the public with
disabilities
14

15. Funding of Assistive Technology
 Insurance companies
 Medicaid and Medicare
 Public schools – written into the IEP
 Vocational Rehabilitation – written into
the IWRP
 Veterans Administration
 Employer based accommodations
 Other agencies
 ATIA Funding Resources Guide
15