Adaptive/Assistive Technology
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates a school system’s responsibility to provide assistive technology devices and services to students with disabilities. Assistive technology devices are identified as "any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities" (IDEA 2004). The term "device" includes both software and hardware, low tech and high tech. Almost anything can be considered a tool as long as it has not been surgically implanted, as this type of device is excluded from the definition. According to IDEA section 300.324, IEP teams are required to consider the assistive technology needs of all children with disabilities (2004). In determining a student's needs, cost cannot be considered as a factor.
References
Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004. Retrieved from http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home
References
Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004. Retrieved from http://idea.ed.gov/explore/home