Assistive Technology in Schools
Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), public school systems are required to provide appropriate assistive technology supports to students with documented learning disabilities so they can access grade-level content and keep pace with their classmates. Assistive technology (AT) tools can be geared toward all types of learners.
Eligibility
Assistive technology should be considered once a student’s educational team determines that either a 504 plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is needed. By law, assistive technology must be considered as part of a student’s 504 and/or IEP process.
Assessment
An assessment of AT needs is usually done as part of the IEP or 504 process. During the IEP or 504 planning process, it’s important for parents to request an AT evaluation by a qualified AT specialist to determine whether there is a need for this supportive assistance. If there is a need, the next step is to identify which tools should be provided to the student. Each state, and even different towns and cities within the same state, may have different forms for requesting an AT evaluation through a public school system.
Once an IEP team has reviewed the assessment results and determined that AT is needed to provide a student with a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) as required by law, the document must define the team’s findings as clearly as possible. The document should include who will be trained and by whom. The teacher(s), the caregiver(s), and the student should all be included in the training section of the AT document. A follow-up meeting date should be set to review how the AT tool(s) are working for the student. The need to trial several tools before the right fit is determined is not unusual, so follow-up meetings are essential.
While private schools are not required to provide AT, some independent schools are eligible for IDEA funding for this purpose.
