What+is+Assistive+Technology?

The Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004 defines Assistive Technology 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. (20 U.S.C. 1401(1))."

What does that mean for struggling students?

Key Concepts to understand Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology


 * is required by law if a students cannot access the curriculum without that technology
 * is documented on a student's IEP when found to be necessary for a student's increased functionality
 * can be low tech, such as a pencil grip
 * can be high tech, such as a specilzed device for communication
 * must be used to increase, maintain or improve the capabilites of a person with disabilities
 * might be a product system that require multiple technologies working together, such as a computer with software
 * is a compensatory intervention that allow a student to increase performance of a task

For more information, see chapter ??? in Illinois Assistive Technology Guidance Manual. This might be a link