Assistive Technology

Vision Statement
The AT Leadership Focus Group, hosted by the Arizona Department of Education, is a volunteer group comprised of AT specialists in Arizona who are the stakeholders of the statewide service delivery model. The members represent the Public Education Agencies, Institutions of Higher Education, Department of Developmental Disabilities, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Southwest Human Development, and Foundation for Blind Children, among others. Their vision is to facilitate the implementation of a system of training and technical assistance that increases the capacity of the system to meet the assistive technology needs of every student and integrates the use of AT to enable continuing access to the curriculum.

Goal
The goal is to create knowledgeable school-based teams that will have the capability to assess students' present level of educational achievement and functional performance, understand students' strengths, needs and learning styles, and recognize gaps in learning to understand when alternate teaching strategies need to be employed and explore potential AT solutions as appropriate. The IEP teams will then access available resources consistent with student needs and requests for professional development in AT included in what was the Present Levels of Academic Performance (PLEP) and now the Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP).

Definition of Assistive Technology
The term assistive technology device means 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 functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of that device."[20 USCS §1401(1)(2)34 C.F.R. 300.5].

The term assistive technology service refers to any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes the following for a child with a disability:

• The evaluation of the needs of such child, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment;
• Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;
• Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;
• Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices;
• Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability, or, if appropriate, the child's family; and
• Training or technical assistance for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that child.

[20 USCS §1401(1)(2)34 C.F.R. 300.6].

Quick Links
ADE Assistive Technology Specialists
Ask an AT Specialist
AT Acronyms
AT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Calendar of AT Events
Forms
Short-term Loan Library
Tech for Learning Communities
Tech for Learning Workshops

Additional Resources
Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)
Arizona Textbook Accessibility Law
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS)
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Center (NIMAC)
NIMAS/NIMAC Definitions and Opt-in Flowchart