Assistive Technology
It is defined in the federal law that provides the foundation for all special education services—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004). IDEA 2004 defines an assistive technology device 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 functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (IDEA 2004, Sec. 1401(1)(A)).
This law’s definition of assistive technology consists of two parts:
- assistive technology devices
- assistive technology services.
*Below is a great video of a Special Education teacher who uses Assistive Technology daily in her classroom.