Assistive Technology (AT)

Vision

The Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services (ADE/ESS) is committed to supporting public education agencies (PEAs) by providing opportunities to increase capacity for supporting students with disabilities with assistive items, devices, and software to allow access the general education curriculum to their greatest potential and capabilities.

Goal

The goal of the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Unit is to assist school-based personnel in developing the capacity to assess students’ present level of educational achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), understand students’ strengths, needs, and learning styles, and recognize gaps in learning to understand when alternate teaching strategies need to be employed. IEP teams can then explore potential AT solutions, access available resources consistent with student needs, and request necessary professional development in assistive technology areas.

Definition of Assistive Technology

An assistive technology device is 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 functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of that device.”[20 USCS §1401(1)(2)34 C.F.R. 300.5].

An assistive technology service refers to any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. This includes the following for a child with a disability:

• The evaluation of the needs of such child, including a functional evaluation of the child in his or her customary environment;
• Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;
• Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;
• Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices;
• Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability, or, if appropriate, the child’s family; and
• Training or technical assistance for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that child.

[20 USCS §1401(1)(2)34 C.F.R. 300.6].