Assistive Technology

Did you know that November is Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Month? For some of you, AT is a device that some students use to communicate. This was my pattern of thinking when I was a teacher in the classroom. Boy, was I surprised to see how much more AT has to offer!

By definition, Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.

• AT can be low-tech: communication boards made of cardboard or paper.
• AT can be high-tech: special-purpose computers.
• AT can be hardware: prosthetics, mounting systems, and positioning devices.
• AT can be computer hardware: special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
• AT can be computer software: screen readers and communication programs.
• AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
• AT can be specialized curricular software.
• AT can be much more—electronic devices, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze and head trackers, and much more.

Assistive technology helps people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and many other things. Different disabilities require different assistive technologies.

Most often, the choice is a decision you make with a team of professionals and consultants trained to match particular assistive technologies to specific needs. An AT team may include family doctors, regular and special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, rehabilitation engineers, occupational therapists, and other specialists including consulting representatives from companies that manufacture assistive technology.

Here at ARIN IU 28, Jayna Greenfield is our Assistive Technology consultant. Jayna provides consultations to teachers and teams within our IU. To learn more about AT trainings, consultations, and the AT library at IU 28, click on this link: https://www.smore.com/9rgj5.

Find out more about how various professionals can help you at the websites of their professional organizations:

AOTA, American Occupational Therapy Association https://www.aota.org/

ASHA, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association https://www.asha.org/

CEC, Council for Exceptional Children https://exceptionalchildren.org/

LDA, Learning Disability Association of America https://ldaamerica.org/

RESNA, Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America https://www.resna.org/

Service organizations and manufacturers offer important information as well. Start with the list of ATIA Alliance Partners https://www.atia.org/home/at-resources/alliance-partners/.

The answer depends on the technology, the use, and the user. Many kinds of AT may cost you little or nothing, even for some very expensive items. Some examples:

• School systems may pay for general special education learning materials as well as technology specified in an IEP.
• Government programs (Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or state Medicaid agencies) pay for certain assistive technology if a doctor prescribes it as a necessary medical device.
• Private health insurance pays for certain assistive technology if a doctor prescribes it as a necessary medical or rehabilitative device.
• Rehabilitation and job training programs, whether funded by government or private agencies, may pay for assistive technology and training to help people get jobs.
• Employers may pay for assistive technology that is a reasonable accommodation to enable an employee to perform essential job tasks.

Other sources of funds in states or communities include private foundations, charities, and civic organizations. The ATIA’s Funding Resources Guide (https://www.atia.org/home/at-resources/what-is-at/resources-funding-guide/) provides sources and resources to investigate as prospective options.

TechOWL is Pennsylvania's designated Assistive Technology Act Program. TechOWL is one of 56 programs in the nation.

Tech Owl- Technology for Our Whole Lives https://techowlpa.org/

Use this document for questions you may have on AT in the IEP

https://www.pattan.net/CMSPages/GetAmazonFile.aspx?path=~\pattan\media\materials\publications\files\tdr-2-2assistivetech-3-22-wbl_1.pdf&hash=7f3a7e9003aa4aa99cb6edc562a904b88b99411328ee41e8097a75b706eaaeec&ext=.pdf

https://paautism.org/resource/assistive-technology-education-iep/

https://www.sese.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Assistive-Technology-Protocol-for-Transition.pdf

https://www.sese.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AT-Goal-Setting-Worksheet.pdf

https://saltillo.com/uploads/AAC_Ready_Set_Goal_Handout_Packet_2020_1.pdf

https://patf.us/top-5-funding-resources-for-assistive-technology-for-children-with-physical-disabilities/

https://patf.us/who-we-are/publications/funding-your-assistive-technology/

https://patf.us/how-to-access-assistive-technology-for-sports/

Click https://smarthomesmadesimple.org/resources/guide/ for "Your Guide to Smart Home Technology."

What's inside:

What Is Smart Home Technology and How Can It Help?

Determining Your Goals and Preparing for a Smart Home

Choosing Your Smart Home Technology

Developing a Funding Strategy

Setting Up Your Smart Home Technology

Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Smart Home Technology

Security and Privacy

Self-Assessment Tool

Not sure where to begin with smart home technology?

This self-assessment is a good starting point as you consider what smart home technology might work for you

This tool is useful for individuals with disabilities, family members, and support team members.

Download the assessment below: https://smarthomesmadesimple.org/how-it-helps/self-assessment/