“A person's a person no matter how small.”
Dr. Suess
Assistive Technology
The definition of an assistive technology device is very broad and gives your child's IEP team the flexibility they need to make decisions about appropriate assistive technology devices for your child. Assistive technology devices and services are clearly defined in the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) of 2004. Assistive technology includes technology solutions that are considered instructional technology tools, providing they have been identified as educationally necessary and documented in a child's IEP.
A range of assistive technology devices are available to children.
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Some can be considered “low technology” and inexpensive (e.g. an adapted cup with enlarged handles used by a child that may have difficulty in holding a standard cup).
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Another common example of assistive technology is text to speech - speech to text software. This software is downloaded onto a device that your child uses to access the software.
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An example of a device that is more sophisticated and can be more expensive would be an augmentative communication device in which a student taps on an icon on a keypad and the words are spoken through the device.
Once a device has been selected to meet the child's needs, the next step is to actually provide the assistive technology device and train the child, staff and parents on how to use the device / service.
While the need for educationally necessary assistive technology devices is determined by your child's IEP team, Ohio Special Education Advocacy will work with your child's IEP team to address appropriate assistive technology devices & services and that these devices & services are documented as part of their IEP.