Assistive Technology Resource Guide

Introduction

This resource guide on assistive technology (AT) was created to assist Ohio school districts in understanding their responsibilities to consider and provide needed AT devices and services to students with disabilities. General information on the school district's responsibility to consider the AT needs of all students who are receiving special education services and on the legal implications for districts is provided.

As outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), the local school district must provide for the specific needs of students with disabilities through a team process, including assessment for AT needs and implementation of AT services. Local educators and related service providers must make sound judgments on AT solutions that will be a part of the student's individualized educational program (IEP). The guide provides an overview of what AT is, goes through the consideration and assessment processes, discusses various funding options for AT, and outlines how to document AT in an IEP. It is OCALI's hope that this resource guide will support schools in making sound judgments in these areas.

This guide was developed in collaboration with the Ohio AT&AEM Network which includes OCALI, regional state support teams (SST), and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.