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Assistive Technology: Top Ten Policy Issues in Special Education

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IDEA 2004 AT in IEP ... Low vision, blind, physically disabled = IDEA eligibility ... Policy Implication Clarify relationship of IDEA and 504/ADA requirements to IT ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Assistive Technology: Top Ten Policy Issues in Special Education


1
Assistive Technology Top Ten Policy Issues in
Special Education
  • Diane Cordry Golden, Ph.D
  • Missouri Assistive Technology
  • ATIA 2007

2
Issue 1 IDEA 2004 AT Definition
  • New AT Definition (300.5)
  • - Excludes surgically implanted medical
    devices
  • - Medical devices already excluded (Cedar Rapids
    bright line)
  • Regulation comments Instructional program
    (internet based) is not AT. Raises instructional
    software question (typically not included in IEP
    at AT, but frequently considered to be AT.)
  • Policy Implication New definition understood
    and implemented appropriately by staff.

3
Issue 2 IDEA 2004 Related Services Definition
  • Two types of related services (300.34)
  • 1) those necessary to maintain the health and
    safety of a child while in school (e.g.
    suctioning, CIC, tube feeding, etc.)
  • 2) those needed for other educational purposes,
    specifically cochlear implant mapping.
  • Health and safety related services
  • - schools responsible unless service can only be
    provided by a physician.
  • - Bright line physician test (Cedar Rapids v.
    Garret F)
  • Other related services, mapping . . . ?
  • - Schools NOT responsible if an individual with
    specialized technical expertise beyond that
    typically available from school personnel
    required
  • Policy Implication Develop consensus on level
    of expertise typically available from school
    personnel if using as exclusion . . .
  • www.at.mo.gov/publications/med_ed.shtm

4
Issue 3 IDEA 2004 AT Provision Requirement
  • AT Provision Requirement (300.105)
  • - Comments repeat circular discussion of
    personal use devices generally not school
    responsibility unless necessary for FAPE.
  • - Regs continue to include home use statement
  • On a case-by-case basis, the use of school
    purchased assistive technology devices in a
    childs home or in other settings is required if
    the childs IEP Team determines that the child
    needs access to those devices in order to receive
    FAPE.
  • Not all AT needs to go home, cant refuse to let
    any go
  • Liability agreements, device damage and recovery
  • Policy Implication Clarify personal device and
    non-school AT use. Focus on FAPE and IEP team
    decisions as determinative factor.
  • www.at.mo.gov/publications/devices.shtm

5
Issue 4 IDEA 2004 AT in IEP
  • Special Factors 300.324(a)(2) Final regs
    retained requirement for AT to be considered in
    ALL IEPs not just initial IEP
  • Supplementary Aids and Services 300.320(a)(4)
    Comments indicate that supplementary aids and
    services section of IEP would include any
    assistive technology devices and services
    determined by the IEP team to be needed by the
    child
  • Policy Implication Provide direction on
    inclusion of AT in IEP
  • www.at.mo.gov/publications/factor.shtm

6
Issue 5 IDEA 2004 NIMAS Requirement
  • 300.172(a)
  • State must adopt NIMAS (file format standard),
    some states had existing standard
  • State must establish definition for timely
    manner to ensure access to instructional
    materials. Comments indicate does not have to be
    at the same time as non-disabled, gives
    exception examples.
  • Policy Implication (SEA) adopt NIMAS and
    establish definition

7
Issue 6 IDEA 2004 NIMAC Requirement
  • 300.172(b-e)
  • Opt to coordinate with NIMAC, use purchase
    language to ensure NIMAS file set sent to NIMAC,
    regardless responsible to provide accessible
    materials (LEA and SEA)
  • NIMAC is repository, not accessible media
    producer
  • Authorized users will download NIMAS file set
  • NIMAC use restricted to NLS disability
    definitions
  • Low vision, blind, physically disabled IDEA
    eligibility
  • LD organic brain dysfunction diagnosed by
    physician
  • Policy Implication (SEA and LEA) Opt in/out
    NIMAC, develop and implement purchasing language
    and procedures for delivering accessible
    materials with/without NIMAS file set
  • http//www.at.mo.gov/idea.shtm

8
Issue 7External Funding, Ownership and Repair
  • If AT is in the IEP (required for FAPE)
  • - device must be available (cant delay for
    external funding)
  • - device must be provided as specified (name
    brand)
  • - school is responsible for repair regardless of
    ownership
  • - access to device cannot be made a privilege
  • - device cannot be in closet due to lack of
    teacher training
  • Policy Implication Clarify and train, train and
    do more training of IEP teams and implementing
    staff
  • www.at.mo.gov/publications/school.shtm
  • www.at.mo.gov/publications/pay.shtm
  • www.at.mo.gov/publications/delays.shtm

9
Issue 8 Assistive Technology Evaluations
  • Can be done as part of formal evaluation
  • - typically more prescriptive type AT
  • - evaluation notice/consent policies and
    procedures used
  • More often done as structured program evaluation
  • - device trials over extended time in
    educational settings
  • - possible to do as part of IEP process (need
    IEP policies)
  • Policy Implication Identify how to document AT
    evaluation within IEP (device trials as part of
    supplementary aids, etc.)
  • www.at.mo.gov/publications/factor.shtm

10
Issue 9 AT Experts
  • The credential alphabet ATP, ATS, CCC-SP, OTR .
    . .
  • Vendors providing AT recommendations
  • The AT prescription from an outside provider
  • Developing in-house AT expertise
  • Policy Implication Identify and expand school
    expertise identify quality supplemental
    expertise.
  • www.at.mo.gov/publications/experts.shtm

11
Issue 10Instructional Software
  • District IT Policies wont let you
  • Put AT on the network
  • Attach AT to computers in the district
  • Use that operating system in this school
  • Or the IT purchased is incompatible with AT . . .
  • Policy Implication Clarify relationship of IDEA
    and 504/ADA requirements to IT policies

12
Quotes to live by . . .
  • Technology... is an odd thing.  It brings you
    great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in
    the back with the other.  --- C.P. Snow
  • The future masters of technology will have to be
    light-hearted and intelligent. Technology easily
    masters the grim and the dumb. --- Marshall
    McLuhan
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