Assistive Technology Services in Washoe County School District
New Teacher FAQ
What is Assistive Technology (AT)?
Assistive Technology is a device and/or service that is determined to be educationally necessary for a
child to receive a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE). Assistive Technology equipment, whether
low-tech or high-tech, is provided to allow a child to complete an educational task he/she would not
have otherwise been able to complete.
Who is it for?
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An IEP committee must consider what, if any, AT may be needed by every student with a
disability (written in to I.E.P. forms)
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A framework for consideration of devices and services:
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Are they necessary?
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Are they educationally relevant?
Focus of AT Service Provision
 AT in support of the Educational Program/student goals
 Access to the Curriculum
What kinds of AT is available for students?
Washoe County Assistive Technology Team provides a continuum of supports, equipment, and
resources across the curriculum. For example:
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Literacy (reading, writing, spelling)
Math
Resources for teachers
Computer Access
Communication Devices
Organization/ Behavior
Access to Educational Materials/activities
What will the AT team do for me?
 AT Team assists the IEP team with AT consideration (decision making about AT), selecting
materials, provides materials/makes necessary purchases, coordinates with other services,
provides training/technical assistance and follow up.

You don’t need to know
what’s “out there”. You
just need to know what
you want the student to
do and decide whether
you think technology
might help!

AT team facilitates decision making using the SETT model:
 Student (needs and skills)
 Environment (Where and with whom)
 Task
 Tool

Guiding Questions:
 What do you want the student to do?
 Where/When/Why do they need to do it?
 What tools do they need? (Such as AT)
 Can the student’s needs be met with commonly available tools
or is something more required?
The AT team uses a Consult (Facilitation/Support) Model
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School Team is expert on Student
AT team works with school teams to find solutions to problems students are having
Provide equipment for field testing (trial/evaluation)
Provide training and resources
How do I get AT?
EXPERT
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Consult Procedures – AT consult written in the IEP
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Standard Consult Request (referral) – For students with low incidence disabilities or who need
specialized supports
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IEP committee determination that the student may need AT. This may happen at any
time in the year.
Contact AT team for referral packet
Complete packet and return with IEP
An AT case manager will contact the school team to set up an initial consultation
meeting
Fast Track Consult request (referral) – Students with high incidence disabilities
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Students with Specific Learning Disabilities or with mild Health Impairments (ADD,
ADHD)
Students who spend the majority of their school day in the regular ed. Classroom
Students who typically need only reading, writing/written expression, spelling,
organization, and/or math supports to succeed.
Programs for Elementary and Middle/High school
Staff is trained in “site based” consideration process – contact AT to receive the training
I need help
for many
students in
my special
program

Technical Assistance for Self Contained programs
 Available for teachers of CLS, Early Childhood, Strategies, and SIP programs
 Materials, training, and resources to support quality instructional practices
 Training also available for related services supporting these programs
 Target areas include: Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), Positive
Behavior Supports, Tools for adapting the curriculum/Inclusion supports, software,
computer access for students, and organization.
Steps to Success:
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Consult request is initiated by the team who will implement
Focus is solving a problem
Team agrees on need/plan
Team members are willing to teach the student use of AT in structured, meaningful,
engaging opportunities
Call AT when there is a problem
Willing to provide feedback when asked
Contact:
AT Team
560 Mill Street
Reno, NV 89502
333-5036
Low Incidence Team:
Keri Huddleston khuddleston@washoeschools.net
Robbin Dunn rdunn@washoeschools.net
Moira Soulia msoulia@washoeschools.net
Fast Track/High Incidence Team:
Jennifer Whalley-Payne jwhalley@washoeschools.net