Category Archives: Assistive Technology

Learning and Leading through Innovative Assistive Technology Webinars and Resources

Athree-row a array of various AT icons

By Roba Hrisseh, Ph.D., former OSEP Scholar, former OSEP intern

Over 8 million students with disabilities ages birth through 21 in the U.S. are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA) Parts B and C in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Education (ED). As numbers continue to grow, it’s important to think about how to ensure the provision of accessible opportunities to all students, especially using emerging technologies, such as assistive technology (AT).

AT, as defined by IDEA, refers to any item, equipment, or system that helps improve the abilities of infants, toddlers, or children with disabilities. AT also includes AT service, which encompasses any service that directly aids infants, toddlers, or children with disabilities in choosing, obtaining, or utilizing an AT device.

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Assistive Technology 101 and the Assistive Technology Guidance

Assistive Technology Keyboard.

By Roba Hrisseh, Ph.D., OSEP Scholar, OSEP Intern

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology (AT) includes two main components:

  • AT devices, and
  • AT services.

AT devices are defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 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 a child with a disability.”

AT services consist of “the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.” AT services include the evaluation of a student with disability for AT, the provision of the AT for the child, the designing or customizing or adapting of AT devices, and the training about how to use the AT, among other items.

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Building Bridges Between Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Projects and State Assistive Technology Act Programs 

American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) logo

By: American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) and Assistive Technology Training and Technical Assistance (AT3) Center

The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) recently started collaborating with the Assistive Technology Training and Technical Assistance (AT3) Center to build bridges between tribal vocational rehabilitation projects and state Assistive Technology (AT) Act programs.

AIVRTTAC helps improve the capacity of American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) projects to provide culturally appropriate vocational rehabilitation services to all eligible tribal participants. AIVRTTAC is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

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