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 [email protected]@esconett.org