Eastern Panhandle of WV Autism Group

IDEA AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT)

Assistive technology devices are identified in the IDEA as "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." IEP teams must determine whether or not the student requires assistive technology and, if required, what type of assistive technology devices are appropriate.

The IDEA also mandates the consideration of assistive technology services. As defined in IDEA, an assistive technology service is "any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device." Assistive technology services include but are not limited to evaluation, device acquisition, device maintenance and repair, training for the student, his family, and educators as needed, and technical assistance.

Often, IEP teams may focus their efforts on the identification and documentation of required assistive technology devices, but may fail to address the services such as training and technical assistance that are critical to the student's successful use of the recommended assistive technology. For IEP teams to effectively consider assistive technology needs of students with disabilities, they must address assistive technology services as well as devices.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY NEEDS

Although the IDEA has clearly mandated that IEP teams consider assistive technology devices and services for each student, many IEP team members question how this requirement can be effectively implemented for individual students. The Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) Consortium has developed a list of indicators that clearly define the critical elements of effective AT consideration. The Quality Indicators for Consideration of Assistive Technology Needs are listed below:

• Assistive technology devices and services are considered for all students with disabilities regardless of the type and severity of disability.
• The IEP team has the knowledge and skills to make informed assistive technology decisions.
• The IEP team uses a collaborative decision making process based on data about the student environments and tasks to determine assistive technology needs.
• A continuum of assistive technology devices and services is explored.
• Decisions regarding the need for assistive technology devices and services are made based on access to the curriculum and the student's IEP goals and objectives.
• Decisions regarding the need for assistive technology devices and services and supporting data are documented.

These indicators address several critical elements of effective consideration of assistive technology needs.

• AT must be considered for all students based on the unique needs of the student. The needs of students with severe physical, intellectual, communication, and sensory impairments must be considered, as well as the needs of students with learning disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, and behavioral disorders.
• To consider AT effectively, IEP teams must be knowledgeable about the student's needs, abilities, and curriculum. One or more members of the IEP team should be knowledgeable about potential AT solutions that can be used to enhance the student's ability to meet the goals, objectives, and educationally relevant tasks required in the student's educational program.
• IEP teams must use a well-defined decision-making process to consider the student's AT needs. Although the IDEA mandates the consideration of AT, it does not define a required process. This means the school system must develop a process that will be used by its IEP teams when considering AT needs.
• When considering AT needs, IEP teams must consider a continuum of AT devices. This encourages teams to consider low technology solutions as well as high technology solutions.
• Decisions regarding the consideration of AT should be based on the student's access to the general education curriculum as well as the individually defined special education program.
• Decisions regarding the consideration of AT should be documented in the student's IEP.

For more information, call or write:

West Virginia Assistive Technology System
West Virginia Center of Excellence for Disabilities (WVUCED)    
955 Hartman Run Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 293-4692 (phone)
(800) 841-8436 (V/TTY)
(304) 293-7294 (fax)
For more copies of this Fact Sheet ask for #15.

Comprehensive assistive technology assessments are available for children and youth through the Assistive Technology Assessment Clinic (AT Clinic) at the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED).

Assessment programs are overseen by a nationally certified Assistive Technology Practitioner and designed to help individuals identify and use assistive technology to support independence and enhance quality of life.

Assistive Technology (AT) is any device used to perform tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. These devices can be as complex as computers with screen reading software or as simple as Velcro used in place of buttons or shoe laces.

The interdisciplinary clinical assessments are conducted from the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED) and usually include environmental assessments in the home, school and/or worksite for:
   - Computer access
   - Environmental controls
   - Adaptations to living and work environments
   - Sensory impairments
   - Activities of daily living
   - Recreation

For individuals who have access to local video conferencing facilities but difficulty with transportation to the Morgantown site, tele-assessments (AT-TV) can be made available.

All assessments are conducted by licensed professionals whose disciplines include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, recreation therapy and invited vendors as determined by the individual's assistive technology needs.

Clinic staff work with clients, families, providers, vendors and insurers to determine the type of assistive technology that best meets the needs of the individual and to identify possible funding sources.

After the assessment, staff will follow up with each client to ensure that the recommended assistive technology is received, that it functions properly, fulfills the recommendations made by the assessment team and meets the individual's needs to the greatest extent possible.

Computer access assessments for hardware and software are included in the comprehensive assessments but may also be scheduled separately. CED houses the only Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center in West Virginia and can offer accessible technology solutions on computers running Windows operating systems.

Full-day clinics are held on the third Monday of each month. Clients who only require computer access assessments are scheduled on a space available basis.

Clinic fees for agencies and organizations:
   - Comprehensive Assistive Technology Assessments $850
   - AT-TV Tele-Assessments $600
   - Computer Access Assessments $300

Individuals, please call 800-841-8436 for fee information.

The West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) provides assistive device demonstrations and trainings to interested individuals and groups. For loans to try out assistive technology, please call 800-841-8436 to make arrangements or go to our Virtual Loan Library at www.cedwvu.org/programs/wvats

The Assistive Technology Loan Library is a collection of assistive technology devices, books and other resources. The WVATS Demonstration Lab and Assistive Technology Loan Library are located at the CED. Clinic Clients and family members may ask for AT demonstrations and may borrow devices for up to four weeks. The Loan Library is available on the Internet at www.cedwvu.org/programs/wvats/virtuallibrary.html The online collection contains a photograph and description of each assistive technology device.

For more information, call the Center at 800-841-8436.

Center for Excellence in Disabilities
959 Hartman Run Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
1-800-841-8436 or Fax 304-293-7294
E-mail: ced@hsc.wvu.edu
www.cedwvu.org

All printed materials are made available in braille, electronic format, cassette tape and large print.