EDUC 477/698O:

Assistive Technology/Universal Design for the General Classroom Settings

Author: Arden Sotomayor

  1. What are some ways that a parent can get funding for assistive technology devices? See http://www.nls.org/natmain.htm to find out.
  2. What information does the U.S. Department of Education have on its website to assist people with assistive technology? See their website to find out http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html You will have to search the topics to see the information.
  3. What does IDEA 1990 and 1997 mandate about assistive technology? http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/Laws/index.php
  4. How can you become an informed consumer about assistive technology? Find out from this website: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/education/at.html
  5. What is NATTAP and how does it help individuals with assistive technology needs? http://www.resna.org/taproject/

Answers submitted by Author: Melissa Gunther

  1. They can access their state’s vocational rehabilitation agency. They can also use Medicaid or Medicare, if the AT can be used in conjunction to help a medical related problem. And they could also use SSI's Plan for Achieving Self Support.
  2. The U.S. Department of Education’s website provides all the laws, mandates and policies regarding special education and also provides all the grant opportunities and policies surrounding grants for Assistive Technology in the classroom.
  3. The 1990 and 1997 IDEA laws defined “Assistive Technology Devices and Services for children with disabilities for inclusion in the IEP” and the 1997 IDEA included the mandate to consider “Assistive Technology Devices and Services on the IEP's of all students. Use of school-purchased AT in a child's home or other settings is required if the child needs access to those devices to receive FAPE.”
  4. To become truly informed about assistive technology as a consumer you can read NEWS DIGEST the newsletter from the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY).
  5. NATTAP is the National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership. It helps individuals with assistive technology by providing technical assistance to people with assistive technology problems and they also try to reduce barriers and increase access to assistive technologies. .