The "IDEA" of Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Although PL 94-142 mentioned "supplementary aids and services," it was not until1 990 that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was amended to specifically mandate that schools consider each student’s need for assistive technology devices and services during the IEP process (Chambers, 1997). The term "assistive technology device" refers to "any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities."
The term "assistive technology service" means "any service that assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes: (a) the evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment; (b) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities; (c) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices; (d) coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services the assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs; (e) training or technical assistance for a child with a disability, or if appropriate, that child's family; and (f) training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation service), employers, or to other individuals who provide services to employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of children with disabilities."
In 1990, IDEA was amended to mandate that schools consider each student’s need for assistive technology devices and/or services during the IEP process (Chambers, 1997). The term "assistive technology device" and "assistive technology service" were directly taken from the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (PL. 100-407).
If the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team determines that assistive technology (AT) devices and services are required for a student to access appropriate education or would help the student participate in a less restrictive educational environment, they must be provided to the student at no cost to the parents (Chambers, 1997). AT can be listed in the IEP as special education, related services, or supplementary aids and services. The 1997 reauthorization of IDEA requires that a student’s need for AT devices and services must be considered each time a new IEP is written. Schools cannot determine that a student does not need AT and then never consider it again.
As Smith (1998) points out, this new requirement is a major improvement. In the past, AT devices and services were primarily considered at an IEP
Latest Articles