Multidisciplinary teams responsibilities considering whether a sped student learner qualifies for assistive technology in alignment with CSDE , Federal FAPE, IDEA , and OSERS Legislation
Proposed Assistive Technology (AT) for Sped Students
Assessment and Funding
Assessment and Funding Elements: This section would address two key aspects of connecting AT to the student learner .
Assessment and PPT Process
- Assessment: Highlighting the collaborative team process, student observations, trials, and detailed recommendations to the PPT to modify an AT accommodation need within the IEP.
Funding
- Funding: Covering the evaluation of AT needs. Determining the allocation of funds from school districts. Thus providing AT devices and services, ownership, maintenance, repair, and sources of fiscal responsibility to the student learners' success.
OSERS GUIDE
Special Considerations
- OSERS Guidance Return to School Roadmap:
Special considerations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for equitable access to AT and the potential changes in AT needs due to remote learning tie to student level of need and the UDL .
Documenting Consideration of AT in the IEP
Identifying the Process
- Describing the decision-making process within collaborative, multidisciplinary partnerships.
Device Selection
- Detailing the AT devices and services required.
Implementation
- Outlining the implementation and monitoring of AT within the learning environment.
Consideration of student outcome
Determine Need for AT
- Determining whether the student learner can achieve tasks independently without AT
Identify Effective Tools
- Identifying what existing tools and accommodations are effective in supporting the student learner.
Correlate need for AT
- Correlate the need for AT and document the recognized accommodation of the IEP (Individualized Education Program). The recognition of this accommodation should be tied to the best student outcome.
Elements of Consideration : Process (Steps 1-4)
1. Student Assessment
- Assessment of the student learner's abilities and learning challenges
2. Analysis of Environment
- Analysis of the environments (classroom, home, etc.) where the student performs tasks.
3. Review student's SLOP and TASKS
- Review of tasks the student needs to accomplish and their current performance level.
4. Evaluation of present Accommodations
- Evaluation of existing instructional (teaching ) strategies, accommodations, and technologies in place to support student learner within the classroom.
