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K4: Awareness of the pre-referral, referral, and placement process used for identifying and serving students with Other Health Disabilities.

K7: Understanding of basic assistive and health technology used to support students with OHD.

S2: Demonstrate the ability to adapt, modify, or structure the environment to accommodate the diverse needs of students with OHD.

S3: Demonstrates the ability to modify instructional methods as needed by students with OHD (including selecting, adapting, and using specialized materials and instructional strategies to maximize learning) in accordance with the Individualized Education Program.
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Assistive Technology and IDEA

Picture of a young child using a physical therapy body ball to exercise.The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that school districts and educators consider assistive technology for all children with IEPs and provide assistive technology and services for students who require it. This is done as part of the student’s evaluation for special education and planning for the Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Assistive technology services usually require that evaluations and assessments be completed to determine technology needs. School personnel or the leader of the IEP team will be involved in recommending equipment, selection, purchase, maintenance, and training on its use or provide technical assistance to the student, family, and other school personnel.

Here is a list of common assistive technology application areas:

Positioning devices: Objects like holsters and sandbags that help support the student in maintaining his/her body in specific therapeutic positions.

Environmental controls: Electronic devices that control other equipment or help the student independently control his/her movements within the classroom.

Augmentative communication, hearing, and visual aids: Devices that help the student communicate, hear, and see. These devices include communication boards and voice synthesizers to help the student talk to others and to make individual needs known. They also include such equipment as hearing aids, telecommunication devices (TDDs), and systems such as closed-caption televisions. In addition, there are aids that help the student see educational materials such as screen readers, Braille readers, or scanners.

Mobility: Devices that help the student get around the school and classroom. These can include wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, etc.

For more information on the school district’s roles and responsibilities for providing assistive technology, the Minnesota Department of Education’s Minnesota Assistive Technology Manual provides information on the legal statute and best practices for consideration and evaluation of assistive technology for students with IEPs.

Resources

  • Family Guide to Assistive Technology: This document from the Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK) Web site offers definitions and information on assistive technology.
  • Parents, Let's Unite for Kids
    516 N 32nd St., Billings, MT 59101-6003
    800-222-7585 * 406-255-0540
    406-255-0523 (fax) * E-mail: plukinfo@pluk.org
  • The Alliance for Technology Access: The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a national network of community-based resource centers, developers, vendors, and associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies. This free service allows you to locate and receive information on assistive technology products and services offered by ATA members.
  • Simon Technology Center: The Simon Technology Center (STC) can provide numerous services for your family, as well as resources and answers to your questions.

References  

Minnesota Department of Education. (2007). Other Health Disabilities Companion Manual (Draft). St. Paul: Author. Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/groups/SpecialEd/documents/Publication/001683.pdf

Parents, Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) and Federation for Children with Special Needs. Family guide to assistive technology. Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html
 

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