Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children with Disabilities Under the IDEA
On January 22, 2024, the Office of Educational Technology and the Office of Special Education Programs published guidance in support of children with disabilities who need assistive technology (AT) devices and services for meaningful access and engagement in education. View the AT guidance and accompanying Dear Colleague Letter available in English and Spanish.
A Dear Colleague Letter on the provision of assistive technology devices and services for children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services is designed to increase understanding of the IDEA’s AT requirements, dispel common misconceptions regarding AT, and provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities and to highlight the different requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA.
OSEP’s Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) will be offering additional resources and technical assistance on the AT guidance over the coming months. Information and updates will be posted to the CITES webpage as they are released. In February, leaders from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office of Educational Technology (OET) teamed with the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems for a webinar on the Assistive Technology Guidance released in January. An archive of the event is below.
View the Webinar Archive
Webinar Title: Boosting Student Success: Integrating Assistive Technology Across the Educational Life Span
Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Event Information:
This leadership panel highlighted the assistive technology (AT) guidance released by the U.S. Department of Education in January 2024. The guidance package focuses on promoting and ensuring greater access to assistive technology (AT) for students with disabilities. Assistant Secretary Wright-Gallo presented the core tenets of the guidance. Leaders from the Office of Special Education Programs and the Office of Education Technology participated in the discussion, highlighting resources for students with disabilities and the practitioners, teachers, parents, and caregivers who educate and support them.
Facilitator: Lindsay Jones, CEO, CAST
Featured Speaker: Glenna Wright-Gallo, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education
Key messages were provided by Valerie Williams, Director, Office of Special Education Programs, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education and Roberto Rodríguez, Assistant Secretary, Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, U.S. Department of Education.
Panelists:
- Anita Vermeer, Education Specialist, Office of Special Education, U.S. Department of Education
- Zac Chase, Digital Equity Impact Fellow, Office of Education Technology, U.S. Department of Education