ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND SERVICES Carolyn Jenkins-Haigler

Outcome of Presentation…  Be able to explain what Assistive Technology is.  Understand how Assistive Technology came to be.  Be able to identify a variety of Light and High Tech Assistive Technology devices.  Explain who is responsible for the funding of Assistive Technology.  Understand how ethical practices relate to Assistive Technology.  Explain how Assistive Technology should be used to benefit students with disabilities.

What is Assistive Technology? Any item or piece of equipment or product system acquired commercially; off the shelf, modified, or customized, and used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capability for an individual with disabilities. Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Public Law )

How did Assistive Technology Evolve? AT had not be formally defined, but was being used to assist students with disabilities AT was formally defined. The “Tech Act” of 1988 formally defined AT. Two specific areas related to AT were defined: Assistive Technology Service Assistive Technology Devices Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities.

Continued… “ Tech Act” becomes “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” (IDEA) AT was mandated Individual Transition Plans became part of Individual Education Plan (IEP) AT devices had to be considered for all transition plans & part of IEP if considered necessary. American with Disabilities Act (ADA) AT no long just part of education…extended into the public arena….. No Discrimination against individuals with disabilities!

Continued… AT reauthorized Students with disabilities were now to be educated with their peers Individual with Disabilities Improvement Act passed… AT defined within law for the first time! Definition of AT did not change Clarification was made regarding surgically implanted devices and replacement. 2004

What is the purpose of the Assistive Technology Continuum?  Assistive Technology Continuum - A tool that categorizes the the various AT devices into no tech, light tech and high tech. No Tech – AT is based on the students needs…not on the device. Light Tech – Simple tools that can assist the student & make daily activities easier. High Tech – Usually electronic and require a power source,

Low Tech Examples…

High Tech Examples…..

Funding - Who’s Responsible? School District Level – Responsible for any AT devices or services that appears in students IEP. Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance (Focus of AT is more for medical need) – Assist in paying for AT services. Other Options: 1.Special needs libraries 2.Lending libraries 3.Disability Organizations 4.Churches, Service Clubs, Local Business & Vendors 5.Family & Friends

What role does Ethics play in AT? Ethics – Standard of conduct directly related to the profession in which you practice. Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)  Professional organization for AT  Code of Ethics standards are specific for AT Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)  Largest international professional organization devoted to individuals with disabilities  Advocates for appropriate policies  Sets professional standards  Provide professional development

Ethics continues… 1. Is the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team doing what is right for the student? 2. Does the IEP team have an understanding of what technology can and will do for the student? 3. Is AT appropriate for this student? 4. Is the IEP team ensuring that ethical standards of practices are being followed. 5. Are educators being adequately trained (professional development) in AT?

How to Incorporate AT? IEP Team Must: 1. Identify how student will access the general education curriculum 2. Identify learning goals for student 3. Determine what accommodations and modifications student will needed to meet their specific goals. 4. AT services or devices must be considered as part of students IEP plan. 5. ALL parties involved MUST regard privacy issues!

FUNDING Local Sources  For small monetary requests (under approximately $2500) Service Organizations Local Businesses Community Foundations Large Foundations  Additional funding for larger requests (Typically over $5000) Private Foundations Corporate Foundations Visit MATRs website for more resources  

OUTSIDE FUNDING Service Organizations  Many local service organizations may provide money to help someone in their community. You can get a list of these organizations from your local Chamber of Commerce. Some examples of these organizations would be: Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Lions Club, JayCees, Business and Professional Women’s Association. Community Foundations  A Community Foundation is much like a private foundation; its funds, however, are derived from many donors rather than a single source. They handle bequests from those who do not wish to establish an individual private foundation, donations from corporations within the area, and donations from small givers. They are usually established for a specific geographic area. Private Foundations  These are non-profit organizations with an endowment usually donated from a single source, such as an individual or family. The private foundation is usually established from personal wealth. Examples of a private foundation would include Rockefeller Foundation, William H. and Grace A Dow Foundation, and Knight Family Charitable and Educational Foundation. 

OUTSIDE FUNDING CON’T Corporate Foundation  Created by a corporation; a way for the corporation to return some of its profits to the community. Corporations have widely varying corporate philanthropy programs and can be a great source of funding for educational purposes. Some examples of a corporate foundation might be AT & T, Barnes & Noble, Kmart Corporation Contributions Program.  There may be a private foundation and a corporate foundation of the same name. Do not confuse foundations with similar names. Even though their origins may be similar, their purposes may be very different. Example: William H and Grace A. Dow Foundation (private foundation) and Dow Chemical Company Foundation (corporate foundation)

OUTSIDE FUNDING CON’T Local Businesses  Do not overlook smaller companies and independently owned businesses in your area. While individual companies or businesses may not be able to fund a grant idea on their own, several could contribute to fund a project. Even some larger corporations tend to “give where they live”. 

IDEA It is important to remember that IDEA ’97 clearly states that it is the school’s responsibility to purchase needed AT but IDEA does not prevent you from seeking additional funding from outside sources. At no time, can the responsibility for funding for devices or services be passed on to the student’s family.

Questions or Comments…..

Resources: Beard, L., Carpenter, L., Johnston, L. (2011). Assistive Technology: Access for All Students. New Jersey: Pearson. Assistive Technology Enabling Dreams. (2009). Examples of Low Tech Assistive Technology. Assistive Technology: Type of High Tech Assistive Technology.