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Definition of Assistive Technology (AT)

Assistive Technology, (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, or system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. In other words, AT devices are things which enhance someone's ability. AT can be homemade, purchased off-the-shelf, modified, or something manufactured. It can be used to help an individual perform tasks such as combing hair, writing on a computer, answering the phone, or communicating with friends and family. AT can be "low tech" (e.g., pencil grips, page turners, paper stabilizers) or "high tech" (e.g., computers, voice synthesizers, Braille readers, etc.).

Assistive Technology in the Home

AT can be used at home to help people care for themselves, communicate with friends and family members or control their environment. Simple devices such as long-handled brushes or combs can help someone with physical limitations groom themselves independently. Electric toothbrushes, shower benches and handheld shower heads make personal care much easier and safer for a person or for a care provider. Large handled utensils and plates/bowls with a high side enable people to feed themselves with little or no help. Dressing hooks, sock aids, and using Velcro(R) instead of zippers, buttons and shoelaces may make dressing and undressing simpler and safer.

Communication with friends and family members can be enhanced with simple technology such as picture boards or communication books. High technology electronic communication boards have many features that can be programmed to meet the communication needs of people who are not able to talk or speak clearly. Talking watches; visual ringers, large buttons, speed dial and amplifiers for telephones; and, voice amplifiers are great tools to help people communicate and share information more easily with others.

Remote controls for televisions, stereos and other electronic devices come in all shapes and sizes. Lights, household appliances and other electronic gadgets in the home can be operated with a remote control. Local electronics stores have devices that use X-10 technology which will allow a person to control just about anything that is plugged into an outlet. The home can be made much safer, more accessible and even smarter by using assistive technology. These technologies allow individuals to perform activities which otherwise would be inaccessible. In addition, some of these technologies assist with natural social interactions with peers and family members.

Assistive Technology at School

When students enter public preschool (preschool special education) or kindergarten and begin their public school years, AT can be a part of their special education programs. For students who are eligible for special education, AT must be provided when it is necessary to:

• Support placement in the least restrictive environment.
• Ensure a student benefits from his/her education.
• Implement the goals and objectives in the student's IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) or IEP (Individualized Education Plan).

AT must be considered as an option for every student that uses an IFSP/IEP. AT is required when it helps a student to make reasonable progress toward the goals that the IFSP/IEP team has developed. AT can help children communicate with others and participate in academic and recreational activities.

Similar to the home environment, communication with friends and teachers can be enhanced at school with simple technology such as picture boards or communication books. More complex AT might include electronic communication boards that can be programmed to include academic phrases and words. Some communication devices offer different vocabularies based on where the student is, such as in the lunch room, math class, recess, etc.

AT for academic, recreational and extracurricular activities can take many forms. It may include adapted computers, alternate computer keyboards, speech output computers, word prediction software that completes certain words in a word processor after the first few letters are typed, modified sports equipment for recess or recreation activities, enlarged text, Braille books or captioning for video-based programs. The options are as diverse as the needs of individual students. The goal is to determine: (a) what the student can or cannot do; (b) how the environment can support the student in doing what needs to be done; (c) the types of tasks the student must complete; and (d) the kinds of technology solutions that might help the student complete required tasks/objectives.

Assistive Technology in the Community

Allowing an individual to interact with their own community may be the most important use of assistive technology. Mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, scooters or simple things like crutches and walkers, are used to help people get from one location to another. Communication devices enable people to share thoughts and ideas, ask questions and learn from those around them. AT devices such as hearing aides, magnifying glasses/lenses, and even cell phones with voice dial and volume control can be used to help people see and hear more effectively. In short, assistive technology helps people participate more fully in the environments in which they find themselves.

Funding for Assistive Technology

There are multiple sources of funding for AT. Finding the right funding source will depend on how old the person is, what the technology is used for, the person's own financial resources, and the long term uses of the technology. The table below provides general suggestions of agencies/organizations to contact for AT funding assistance. For more specific information, contact the resources listed in the next section. If you experience problems in getting satisfactory answers regarding AT funding from any of the agencies listed below, contact the Disability Law Center toll free at 800-662-9080. Their Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) program can help you get the answers you need.

Other Sources for Assistive Technology

The Access Utah Network at 800-333-UTAH (8824) or Accessut.org maintains a used equipment sales bank. Access Utah Network is a great resource for AT devices. There are several AT equipment loan and demonstration centers throughout Utah. They can provide AT on a short term basis so you can experiment with different types of AT to find what works best for the individual and/or while you get funding for the technology you need. A list of these loan and demonstration programs is located at www.uatpat.org or you may call toll free 800-524-5152.

Sometimes, local service organizations such as Kiwanis Clubs, Lions Clubs, Shriners Hospital, and Rotary Clubs provide assistive technology to families who need it. Also, check with your local Center for Independent Living, which may offer a wide variety of assistive technology devices to individuals with disabilities that meet income criteria, as long as funding is available.

Assistive Technology from Schools and Government Agencies

It is the responsibility of the school district to provide for the equipment, services, and programs that are identified in the student's IFSP/IEP. A school district may pay for the equipment, services and/or programs itself; use other resources to provide or pay for the devices or services; or use private insurance funds, Medicaid, or other sources of funds, as long as the devices or services identified in the IEP are provided. Private insurance or Medicaid may be used only if the parent agrees.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires a free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities. IDEA requires schools to use the aids and services that assure that students with disabilities participate in and benefit from public education. AT is specifically mentioned in IDEA as a service which school districts may have to provide in order for a student with disabilities to benefit from special education. Agencies like early intervention programs and school districts are mandated to provide AT if the need for technology is included in the child's written plan.

When advocating for your child in special education, don't forget the following about AT and the IEP:

• AT needs must be considered along with a student's other educational needs
• Needs for AT must be identified on an individual basis
• Identification of AT needs must involve parents and a multidisciplinary team
• Parents or other IEP team members can ask for an independent evaluation to determine AT needs
• Lack of availability of equipment or cost alone cannot be used as an excuse for denying AT services
• If included in the IEP, AT services and devices must be provided at no cost to the family
• If included in the IEP, AT devices can be taken home at night and over the summer break
• Parents always have the right to appeal if AT services are denied

RESOURCES

For additional information about assistive technology, please contact the following agencies.

Access Utah Network

Address: 155 South 300 West #100

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

800-333-8824 (UTAH)

801-533-4636

accessut.org

Services: Information and referral, and used AT equipment for sale

Utah Center for Assistive Technology

Address: 1595 West 500 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84104

888-866-5550

usor.utah.gov/ucat

Services: Information, funding assistance, equipment loan and demonstration

Disability Law Center

Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT Program)

Address: 205 North 400 West

Salt Lake City, UT 84103

801-363-1347

800-662-9080

disabilitylawcenter.org

Services: Advocacy and information

Utah Parent Center

Address: 2290 East 4500 South, Suite 110

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

801-272-1051

800-468-1160

Utahparentcenter.org

Services: Information

Utah Assistive Technology Program

Address: 6855 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322

435-797-3824

800-524-5152

uatf.org

Services: Information, equipment loan and demonstration, low interest loans