AssistiveAssistiveTechnologyTechnology

101101SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTSPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Presented byPresented by

Alma Rodriguez, Alma Rodriguez, Assistive Technology Assistive Technology CoordinatorCoordinator

Barbara Charles, SLP & Barbara Charles, SLP & Assistive Technology Assistive Technology Team LeaderTeam Leader

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESTPW become familiar with TPW become familiar with Assistive Technology laws Assistive Technology laws and IEP procedures.and IEP procedures.

TPW become familiar with TPW become familiar with the light-tech and high tech the light-tech and high tech equipment in the area of equipment in the area of Assistive technology Assistive technology devices.devices.

IDEA’97IDEA’97

ANDAND

ASSISTIVEASSISTIVE

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY

DEVICESDEVICES

IDEA and Assistive IDEA and Assistive TechnologyTechnology

IDEA addresses AT in two IDEA addresses AT in two ways: ways:

In the inclusion of definitions of In the inclusion of definitions of “Assistive technology devices “Assistive technology devices and Assistive technology and Assistive technology services. References are in services. References are in both Part A, which covers the 3-both Part A, which covers the 3-21 age group and Part C, which 21 age group and Part C, which covers the 0-3 age group.covers the 0-3 age group.

ASSISTIVE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICESTECHNOLOGY DEVICES

...... any item, piece of equipment ...... any item, piece of equipment or product system whether or product system whether

acquired commercially off the acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, shelf, modified, or customized,

that is used to increase, maintain, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities or improve functional capabilities

of individuals with disabilities.of individuals with disabilities.

20 U.S.C. Chapter 34, Section 1401 20 U.S.C. Chapter 34, Section 1401 (25)(25)

ASSISTIVE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICESTECHNOLOGY SERVICES

““...... any service that ...... any service that directly assists a child directly assists a child with a disability in the with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive use of an assistive technology device.technology device.

Assistive Technology Assistive Technology ServicesServices

EvaluationEvaluation Purchasing, leasing, or Purchasing, leasing, or

otherwise providing for the otherwise providing for the acquisition of the devicesacquisition of the devices

Selecting, designing, fitting, Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing applying, retaining, repairing or replacing of Assistive or replacing of Assistive technology devices.technology devices.

Coordinating and using other Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions or therapies, interventions or services with Assistive technology services with Assistive technology devices.devices.

Training or technical assistance Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability, or if for a child with a disability, or if appropriate, that child’s family.appropriate, that child’s family.

Training or technical assistance Training or technical assistance for professionals, employers, or for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide other individuals who provide services to , employ, or are services to , employ, or are otherwise involved in the major otherwise involved in the major life functions of individuals with life functions of individuals with disabilities.disabilities.

Areas Affected by Areas Affected by Assistive TechnologyAssistive TechnologyPositioningPositioningComputer AccessComputer AccessEnvironmental ControlEnvironmental ControlAugmentative Augmentative

CommunicationCommunicationAssistive ListeningAssistive ListeningVisual AidsVisual Aids

MobilityMobilityComputer-Based Computer-Based

InstructionInstructionPhysical Education, Physical Education,

Recreation, Leisure and Recreation, Leisure and PlayPlay

Self-CareSelf-Care

Environmental Control/Environmental Control/Recreation, Leisure, and Recreation, Leisure, and PlayPlay

Computer AccessComputer Access

Computer Based Computer Based InstructionInstruction

AugmentativeAugmentative Communication Communication

Positioning and Positioning and MobilityMobility

Daily Living SkillsDaily Living Skills

IDEA’97 additionally IDEA’97 additionally ensures:ensures:Each public agency shall ensure that Each public agency shall ensure that

Assistive technology devices or services, Assistive technology devices or services, or both are made available with a or both are made available with a disability if required as part of the disability if required as part of the child’s:child’s:

(a) special education(a) special education(b) related services(b) related services(c) supplementary aids (c) supplementary aids

servicesservices20 U.S.C. Chapter 34 Section 1412(2), 20 U.S.C. Chapter 34 Section 1412(2), (5) (B) (5) (B)

Texas State Texas State Education CodeEducation Code29.004 Comprehensive 29.004 Comprehensive

Assessment ........Assessment ........The assessment shall be The assessment shall be

conducted using procedures conducted using procedures that are appropriate for the that are appropriate for the student’s most proficient student’s most proficient method of communication.method of communication.

Commissioner’s/Commissioner’s/SBOE RulesSBOE Rules

–Each district shall Each district shall establish at least one establish at least one ARD committee that ARD committee that shall make decisions shall make decisions concerning eligibility concerning eligibility determinations, determinations, development of the IEP, development of the IEP, consideration of assistive consideration of assistive technology .................technology .................

Assistive Technology Assistive Technology and the ARDand the ARD

Clearly defined policiesClearly defined policies Special Education staff with a Special Education staff with a

good understanding of Assistive good understanding of Assistive TechnologyTechnology

Family as key team membersFamily as key team members Specialized technology teamsSpecialized technology teams Sufficient budget or access to Sufficient budget or access to

special technology fundsspecial technology funds

Assistive Technology Assistive Technology ProcessProcess

Referral (30-60 days)Referral (30-60 days)Observation/EvaluationObservation/EvaluationARD addresses AT ARD addresses AT

Recommendations/PEIMSRecommendations/PEIMSResearch, Funding, and Order Research, Funding, and Order

Materials/ EquipmentMaterials/ EquipmentTraining/ImplementationTraining/ImplementationMonitoringMonitoring

Ten Things Ten Things Administrators Should Administrators Should

KnowKnowTechnology is expensiveTechnology is expensiveTraining is crucialTraining is crucialCertification is rareCertification is rareConventions have it allConventions have it allTeam Approach is crucialTeam Approach is crucialSales Reps are not Sales Reps are not

consultantsconsultants

The individual determines The individual determines the technologythe technology

Talk to people in your stateTalk to people in your stateTry it before you buy itTry it before you buy itYOU HAVE TO DO ITYOU HAVE TO DO IT

ResourcesResources

Linda Chromaster – Region One Linda Chromaster – Region One ESC ESC LchromasterLchromaster@@esconettesconett.org.org

Peter Graves – Region One ESCPeter Graves – Region One ESCPgraves@esconett.orgPgraves@esconett.org