Section 1: AT, AEM, and Other Educational Initiatives

The mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015) emphasize high expectations for all students and access to the general curriculum to the maximum extent possible. To meet these demands, teachers are expected to facilitate student achievement through high-quality instructional activities. Students typically engage in these activities through participation, communication, and productivity. For students with disabilities, certain aspects of their disability may prohibit them from reaching the grade-level of achievement without the assistance of AT.

AT offers many students with disabilities the power to meet their full potential within their educational programs. The consideration and provision of AT for students with disabilities is mandated in the law.

This section will provide the definitions of Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials and discuss how AT and AEM may be embedded into other education initiatives. When these tools are embedded, students with disabilities are both accommodated and fully included, providing opportunities for them to reach their full potential.