Assistive Technology

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Assistive Technology
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AT Definition

• 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.
  (IDEA, 2004)

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Why Consider AT?

• It is the law
• IDEA, 2004.
• Students should be provided with appropriate
  assistive technology devices and services as well
  as accommodations and modifications to assist
  them in making progress in their educational
  programs

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Considering AT

• Mandatory to be considered on every IEP.
• Guiding Principles
• IEP teams should use a collaborative
  decision-making model for considering AT.
• AT is goal/task driven. Decisions for
  considerations should be based on student goals
  and objectives, access to curricular activities,
  and progress in the general ed. curriculum.
• IEP teams should have the knowledge and skills
  necessary to consider AT.

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Considering AT

• 5 Guiding Questions for the Consideration Process
  (This will help you complete the Consideration
  Checklist)
• 1. What are the goals, objectives, and required
  tasks within relevant instructional and access
  areas?
• 2. Can the student accomplish the goals and
  objectives and/or complete the task with standard
  classroom tools in the general education setting?

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Considering AT

• 3. Are the students needs being addressed
  through accommodations and modifications?
• 4. Is the student using assistive technology to
  accomplish goals and objectives or to complete
  educationally relevant tasks?
• 5. Are additional AT devices and/or
  accommodations and modifications required to
  allow students to accomplish goals and objectives
  or complete educationally relevant tasks?

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Consideration Checklist and Resource Guide

• Available at SPED web site
• The Resource Guide should be reviewed as part of
  the consideration process at every IEP meeting.
• The new Consideration Checklist has to be
  completed at every IEP meeting to ensure that AT
  has been considered specifically for each
  student.
• Please attach to current IEP

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New Consideration Checklist
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Sample Checklist
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Documentation in the IEP

• AT devices and services that are determined
  educationally necessary by the students IEP team
  should be clearly documented in the IEP.
• With the new IEP, some things have changed in how
  to document
• The consideration Checklist will be the way you
  document that AT has been considered necessary or
  not necessary.
• Think of the Checklist as part of the IEP

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Documentation in the IEP

• If using AT, document it in
• I. Present Level of Educational Performance (if
  currently using)
• II. Considerations of Special Factors with
  written justification of why using AT
• IV. Goals and Objectives
• VI. Student Supports
• VIII. Options Considered (every IEP, every
  time)

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Documentation

• If IEP team determines that AT is not required,
  document rationale in
• II. Considerations for Special Factors with
  written justification why AT is rejected
• VIII. Options considered (every IEP, every time)

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Auditory Books on Cd

• ELA Required Novels (Elementary Schools)
• The Cay Sarah,
  Plain and Tall
• Hatchet
  Island of the Blue Dolphin
• ELA Required Novels (Middle Schools)
• Bridge to Terabithia Roll of
  Thunder, Hear My Cry
• The Giver House
  of Dies Drear
• House on Mango Street Johnny Tremain
• Diary of Anne Frank
• ELA Required/Recommended Novels (High Schools)
• To Kill a Mockingbird Tale of Two
  Cities Animal Farm
  
• The Scarlett Letter The Great
  Gatsby The Adventures of Huck
  Finn
• Red Badge of Courage A Raison in the
  Sun Frankenstein
• Dracula
  Things Fall Apart Jane
  Eyre
• Return of the Native
• CDs and players are available to all sped
  teachers from your media specialist beginning
  December 2007 (one set per schoolspecial
  education only).

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Premier Software

• The Premier Assistive Technology Software
  Accessibility Suite is now available to all of
  our Richmond County special education students at
  home.
• The software can be downloaded by the parent
  onto their home computer free of charge.
• Parents of RCBoE special education students and
  their childs teachers may go to the Premier
  Assistive Technology website at
  www.premierathome.com
• Download the Literacy Productivity Pack
  software.
• The user name for our county is rcboe and the
  password is access.

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On-Line CATCatalog of Assistive Technology

• On-Line inventory of Assistive Technology
  currently on hand available for short term
  checkout
• Equipment
• Talking calculators, portable word processors,
  colored overlays, aug. com devices, reading
  windows, timers, etc.
• Software
• Reading, science, history, research, mapping,
  vocabulary
• Coming to you soon!!!!!!!

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AT Team 2007-2008

• Larry McAlevy
• Diane Wiedmeier (OT)
• Ashley Goodin (ID)
• Steven Corlett (VI)
• Suzi Gilbreath (SLP)
• Mary Ann Waller (ID)
• Shawanna Williams (SLP)

• Terry Irons (SLD)
• Connie Blanchard (SLP)
• Dr. Marie Klofenstine
• Mary Hancock (DHH)
• Keena Reeves (SDD)
• Anita Barnes (ID)

For more information contact any AT Team member
or www.gpat.org www.rcboe.org