By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq.
Imagine sitting in a classroom, excited to learn. Then imagine that you don’t have the
items you need to be successful, such as a pencil or a notebook. Well, for special
education students, they don’t have to imagine because this is the situation they face
daily when they are denied assistive technology.
What is Assistive Technology?
Some of you may be wondering, what is assistive technology? Assistive Technology are
items, devices, or software that help many students with disabilities learn the same
material as their general education peers. For a student with dyslexia, assistive
technology may include having software to read the computer screen out loud. A
student who is nonverbal may need a device to help them express their thoughts and
feelings. A student with another disability may need pencil grips to help them write.
The goal of assistive technology is to provide the student with the assistance they need
so they would have the same access to a quality education as students who do not
have a disability. This provides all students with an equal opportunity for a Free
Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). These devices aren’t just helpful; they can
change a student’s life and open up a world of possibilities that the student may never
have imagined!
How Assistive Technology Works with IEPs
Assistive technology is often a key special education service provided under
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans. First, I’ll explain how they help
students with IEPs, then I’ll go into how they help students with 504 plans.
An IEP is a special education plan for students with disabilities who qualify for services
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It outlines the specific
accommodation and support that the qualifying student needs to be successful in
school.
Assistive technology is frequently included in IEPs to help students meet their
educational goals in assessing the student’s needs, specifying any assistive technology
that may be used, and ensuring that teachers and staff are trained to help the student
properly use the assistive technology.
How Assistive Technology Works with 504 Plans
Assistive technology can also be a part of a 504 Plan. A 504 Plan refers to Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act, a federal law which provides accommodations for students
with disabilities, who do not qualify for special education, but may need extra support to
be successful in school. Assistive technology as part of a 504 Plan can be for a student
with hearing loss who might use an audio system to amplify the teacher’s voice or a
student with ADHD who may use an app to stay organized. Like IEPs, the goal of 504
plans is to ensure that the student has equal access to a quality education.
Cost and Training
Despite all of the wonderful qualities of assistive technology, there is also a downside.
The technology can be quite expensive. However, under IEPs and 504 plans, schools
are required to provide necessary assistive technology for the student to succeed.
Another issue is teacher and staff training. In order to help students use assistive
technology properly, teachers and staff must be adequately trained.
Good News
The good news is as assistive technology becomes more prevalent and keeps updating,
the costs should go down and the technology will be even more user friendly. Assistive
technology is a powerful tool in special education. It offers students with disabilities an
equal opportunity to thrive in school.
