the practical (and fun) guide to assistive technology in public schools t/tac book study

The Practical and Fun Guide to A i ti T h l i P bli Assistive Technology in Public

Schools

Christopher R. Bugaj

Free Powerpoint Templates Free Powerpoint TemplatesSally Norton-Darr

Introductions

• Christopher R. Bugaj• Sally Norton-Darr

• Soojin Jang – T/TAC @ GMUj g @• Estella Landeros – T/TAC @ GMU

• Carol Wiegle T/TAC @ JMU• Carol Wiegle – T/TAC @ JMU• Debbie Yancey – T/TAC @ JMU

Free Powerpoint Templates

Important Stuff!

• Syllabusy• Attendance/half-sheets• Cancellations/emergency numbers• Mileage reimbursement goes to your division• Reimbursement• Building layout


During this year

• We will have 4 in-class meetingsWe will have 4 in class meetings• You will have 4 school assignments

Y ill d d l i f ti f• You will read and apply information from the book


Getting to know you!

• Name tentName tent• KWL activity – write down ONE thing

under the K and W onlyunder the K and W only• Share with your neighbors at your table


Things we all need to gremember…

• PEOPLE FIRST languageH di / Di bilit• Handicap / Disability


What do you already know about assistive technology?

Quiz• Quiz

• Hold on to that, we’ll come back to it!


Individuals with Disabilities Education I t A t 2004Improvement Act,2004

• Mandates a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for children and youth with disabilities.

• Two parts: Part B – for students with disabilities 3 -22 years of age; Part C –infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth to age 3. ( In VA, if child is 2-3 yrs of age parents can chose Part B or Part C Part C is the Department3 yrs. of age, parents can chose Part B or Part C. Part C is the Department of Behavioral, Health, and Developmental Services. Part B is the Department of Education.)

• Provides procedural safeguards to ensure that children/youth with disabilities receive the special education and related services which they require in order to benefit from their educational program.


What IDEA says about Assistive Technology (300.105)

• Each public agency shall ensure that AT devices or AT p g yservices or both, as defined in 300.5 and 300.6 are made available to a child with a disability if needed as part of the child’spart of the child s 1. special education (300.36)2. related service (300.34)2. related service (300.34)3. or supplemental aids or services (300.38 and 300.114(a)(2)(ii)


Legal definition of AT

• Assistive Technology consists ofAssistive Technology consists of DEVICES and SERVICES that help children with disabilities carry out achildren with disabilities carry out a

functional activity in their environment.


Wh i A i i T h l What is an Assistive Technology device?

“any item, piece of equipment or product system, h th i d i ll ff th h lfwhether acquired commercially off the shelf,

modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.”


2004 IDEA revisions

• IDEA, 2004 revised the definition of AssistiveIDEA, 2004 revised the definition of Assistive Technology DEVICE by adding an exception. The NEW definition EXCLUDES a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such a device. Such devices are

l l d d f th d fi iti f l t dalso excluded from the definition of related services.


DevicesDevices


Really?Really?

•ANY?ANY?


Let’s decide!Let’s decide!

• Is this an AT device?Is this an AT device?


Wh i A i i T h l i ?What is an Assistive Technology service?

• IDEA defines an A.T. service as;“any service that directly assists a y ychild with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive q ,technology device.”


Like what?• evaluation of technology needs• purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for acquisition of AT

devicesdevices, • selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying,

maintaining, repairing, or replacing devices, • coordinating and using other therapies interventions or services• coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services

with AT devices, • training or technical assistance for child, and/or family members

t i i t h i l i t f f i l i l d i th• training or technical assistance for professionals involved in the major life functions of the child


Assistive Technology Act of 2004

• Relates to employment, not education and includes the following expansion of the ATincludes the following expansion of the AT service definition:“a service consisting of expanding thea service consisting of expanding the availability of access to technology, including electronic and informationincluding electronic and information technology, to individuals with disabilities.”

(SEC.3. Definitions.29USC3002. P.L. 108-364, Oct. 25, 2004)( , , )


What does accessibility mean?

• Mentioned in both IDEA, 2004 and The AT Act, 2004 • IDEA, 2004:

– “AT devices and services are used to maximize accessibility for children with disabilities.”

– AT ACT, 2004– “access to technology”

BOTH allows alterations to an individual’s situation in order for that individual to use technology.

THIS changes everything when making decisions about AT in public schools!AT in public schools!


SO WHAT?• BECAUSE OF THE WORDING IN LAWS,

when making decisions regarding AT inwhen making decisions regarding AT in school…things are changed forever!

• HOW to collect DATA• HOW to collect DATA• HOW to consider AT• HOW to integrate AT recommendations into the IEPHOW to integrate AT recommendations into the IEP

»BUT…remember, AT is more than a law, it is a way of looking at problems , y g pand offering SOLUTIONS!!


AT Continuum

• Across this course you will see the rangeAcross this course, you will see the range of AT solutions from low-tech, to mid-tech to high-techto high tech.

• The possibilities are endless and go from least restrictive to most restrictiveleast restrictive to most restrictive solutions.


NOT!Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

• Independence?Independence?• Computers?

T h t l t d t b fit?• Teacher tools – student benefit?• Maximizing access?

check the definition!…check the definition!


What are Special Factors in IDEA?

• The IEP team shall…

(i) behavior…consider positive behavioral interventions and supports, and other strategies

(ii) limited English proficiency consider the language needs(ii) limited English proficiency…consider the language needs(iii) blind or visually impaired…appropriate instruction in Braille

and the use of Braille(i ) i ti d d f h d f h i id(iv) communication needs…deaf or hard of hearing…consider

language and communication with peers and professional personnel(v) consider whether the child needs AT devices and services with the exception of surgically implanted devicesIDEA, 2004 P.L. 108-446, Section 614(b)


( )

Hmmm…CONSIDER?

• What does that mean exactly? TheWhat does that mean exactly? The authors say several dictionaries’ definitions are very clear:definitions are very clear:

–“careful and deliberate thought”

• Let’s see…


In Virginiag

• The VDOE Assistive Technology StateThe VDOE Assistive Technology State Directed Project has developed a process to guide IEP teams in theto guide IEP teams in the

CONSIDERATION

of assistive technology needs


State Directed Project AT web site• www.ttaconline.org/atsdp

• Consideration document

YOUR TURN!

Case studiesCase studies


Review Quiz

• NOW! Let’s take a look at those answers for the quiz you took earlierfor the quiz you took earlier.


TechKnowledgy 2010gy

• November 11 – 12, 2010 – Richmond, Va

• Register throughwww.ttaconline.org


EXIT PASS

• Write down ONE thing under the L on yourWrite down ONE thing under the L on your name tent…What I have LEARNED

• Leave name tent on your table for next titime


For next time• Print out the VA Consideration with AIM

document on State Directed Projectdocument on State Directed Project web site – www.ttaconline.org/atsdpC l hi d d i• Complete this document on one student in your school identified by initials only

• Read PART THREE of your book, chapters 4 through 9


References

• Bugaj, C.R. & Norton-Darr, S. (2010). The practical and fun guide to assistive technology in publics schools: building or improving your district’s AT team. Washington, D.C.: International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
