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The request for an AT Assessment may originate at any time, by
any member of the IEP team (including parents) during the development
if the IEP or in the provision of services to a student with disabilities.
It may be a formal request for an "Assistive Technology Assessment"
or simply a realization that current interventions are not sufficient
and something more is needed. Remember, an AT Assessment can be
requested at any time by any member of the IEP team!
Many questions remain in the forefront as to how school districts
identify the procedures and practices used in arriving at decisions
regarding the provision of AT.
Questions Include:
Which students need assistive technology?...those whose
IEP teams determine that AT is indicated as a way to enable students
to meet their educational goals. AT can be used in combination with
other interventions and strategies in order for students to better
access instruction and learning.
What kinds of technology are needed?.. this is determined
on a case-by-case basis related directly to what is needed for a
student to receive FAPE. Effective AT systems may contain no tech
strategies, or low and high tech tools.
Who should be involved in making these decisions?... the
student's IEP team is the actual decision-making body. Members include
the student, family members and/or caregivers, and appropriate educational
and related services professionals, based on the student's special
needs. This team may also include other people who are significantly
involved in the student's education and well-being such as medical
personnel and peers.
All members of the IEP team (including the family) work together
to collect information on the student, the environment and the tasks
for active participation in the general curriculum. When decisions
about AT solutions -devices and services - are to be made, school
district personnel knowledgeable in the use of AT or an outside
consultant can be called in to assist the team to make appropriate
and useful decisions. This team process results in a clear understanding
of how recommended tools and strategies were selected and what they
will be used for.
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