Assistive Technology
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)
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
Considering AT
• Mandatory to be considered on every IEP.
• Guiding Principles
– IEP teams should use a collaborative decisionmaking 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.
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?
Considering AT
– 3. Are the student’s 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?
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
New Consideration Checklist
Sample Checklist
Documentation in the IEP
• AT devices and services that are
determined educationally necessary by
the student’s 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
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)
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)
Auditory Books on Cd
• ELA Required Novels (Elementary Schools)
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The Cay
Hatchet
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Island of the Blue Dolphin
• ELA Required Novels (Middle Schools)
–
–
–
–
Bridge to Terabithia
The Giver
House on Mango Street
Diary of Anne Frank
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
House of Dies Drear
Johnny Tremain
• ELA Required/Recommended Novels (High Schools)
–
–
–
–
–
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Scarlett Letter
Red Badge of Courage
Dracula
Return of the Native*
Tale of Two Cities
The Great Gatsby
A Raison in the Sun*
Things Fall Apart
Animal Farm
The Adventures of Huck Finn
Frankenstein
Jane Eyre*
– CD’s and players are available to all sped teachers from your
media specialist beginning December 2007 (one set per
school…special education only).
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 child’s 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.
On-Line CAT
Catalog 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!!!!!!!
AT Team
2007-2008
– Larry McAlevy
– Terry Irons (SLD)
– Diane Wiedmeier (OT) – Connie Blanchard (SLP)
– Ashley Goodin (ID)
– Dr. Marie Klofenstine
– Steven Corlett (VI)
– Mary Hancock (DHH)
– Suzi Gilbreath (SLP) – Keena Reeves (SDD)
– Mary Ann Waller (ID) – Anita Barnes (ID)
– Shawanna Williams (SLP)
For more information contact any AT Team member or :
www.gpat.org
www.rcboe.org