Michigan Protection & Advocacy Services, Inc

Assistive Technology (AT) in Special Education Mark McWilliams, Education Team Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc. (MPAS) Updated October 2007

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT3 About MPAS Our mission is to advance the dignity, equality, self-determination, and expressed choices of individuals. MPAS provides information and referral, written materials, training and technical assistance, and individual and systemic representation in selected areas.

The Basics

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT5 Access for All Children are eligible based on category or functional limitation. Access includes access to general curriculum, standardized tests, nonacademic/extracurricular events. AT can be used to provide this access, either as special education or as a related service.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT6 Multidisciplinary Evaluation Evaluations must address eligibility, program needs, participation in general education. AT evaluations may address hearing, vision, communication, motor abilities. Evaluations must be conducted within 30 school days after consent granted – timeline starts with a written request.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT7 Individual Planning/Goals The Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes special education services and supports. The critical parts of the IEP are: Present level of performance; Measurable annual goals; and, Instruction and services to meet goals, including AT devices and AT services.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT8 Definition of AT An AT device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve a student’s functional abilities. An AT service is any service that directly assists a student in the selection, acquisition, or use of an AT device. (34 CFR 300.5, 300.6)

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT9 Free and Appropriate A free appropriate public education (FAPE) is free, planned using the IEP process, and reasonably calculated to confer educational benefit. FAPE is not the best education, a place, a choice of teacher, a choice of school building, or a choice of methodology.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT10 AT Exception The surgically implanted medical device exception excludes from AT “a medical device that is surgically implanted, the optimization of that device’s functioning (e.g. mapping), maintenance of that device, or the replacement of that device.” (34 CFR (b)(1))

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT11 With the Exception A school must still perform routine checks of external components of a device; and, monitor and maintain devices necessary for health and safety (including breathing, nutrition, other functions). (34 C.F.R. §300.34(b)(2)), )

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT12 Benefit and Home Use AT devices and services can be part of a program that is “reasonably calculated to confer educational benefit.” Home use should be allowed if necessary to provide FAPE. (34 CFR (b))

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT13 Least Restrictive Environment Students with disabilities must go to school with their nondisabled peers “to the maximum extent appropriate.” Students with disabilities may be segregated only when the nature or severity of their disabilities prevents education in a general ed school, even with aids and supports.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT14 More about FAPE National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards (NIMAS) – Appendix C to Part 300 – AT may play a role in making instructional materials accessible. Technology-based instructional programs are not AT devices, but can be provided if necessary to ensure FAPE.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT15 Participation/Due Process Notice Opportunity to inspect records Due process hearing Compliance complaint Independent educational evaluation Mediation OCR/504 complaint

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT16 The Three Books of Rights - IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 USC 1400, 34 CFR Part 300, 71 FR IDEA Rules or IDEA Rules 2 IDEA Rules IDEA Rules 2

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT17 The Three Books of Rights - Michigan Michigan Revised Administrative Rules for Special Education, R – 1873 Rules and updates (2002 rules plus supplements) Rules and updates

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT18 The Three Books of Rights – Section 504 Section 504, federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 USC 794, 34 CFR Part 104. Rules and FAQs (PDF) Rules and FAQs (web)

Questions? 9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT19

Common Problems

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT21 Common Problems 1 o Problem: “The school never acted on my verbal evaluation request.” o Reason: In most cases, timelines don’t begin until the school receives a written request to do something. o Solution: Call the district, make the request, follow up with a letter or note.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT22 Common Problems 2 o Problem: “The school says my prescription or report is not enough.” o Reason: The need for AT devices and services must relate specifically to educational needs. o Solution: Ask your clinician to explain if and how AT devices and services meet educational goals.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT23 Common Problems 3 o Problem: “The school won’t give my child any AT devices or services.” o Reason: AT devices and services must be designed to meet an IEP goal. o Solution: Check the IEP goals to make sure they are complete and robust; suggest a review if necessary.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT24 Common Problems 4 o Problem: “I don’t agree with the way the school is teaching my child.” o Reason: Methodology is the school’s choice, but it must be reasonably calculated to help your child learn. o Solution: Schedule regular reviews to discuss progress; insist on different methods if current ones don’t work.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT25 Common Problems 5 o Problem: “The school wants to bill my insurance or Medicaid for a device.” o Reason: Schools can bill outside sources, with your consent, if they do not violate the “free” requirement. o Solution: Check your benefits to make sure there is no cost to you; refuse consent to a billing if there is a cost.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT26 Common Problems 6 o Problem: “The school wants to bill me for damage to an AT device.” o Reason: Schools can hold a family responsible for damage from misuse but not for regular wear and tear. o Solution: Check district policy that applies to all students; clarify any responsibility up front (in the IEP).

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT27 Common Problems 7 o Problem: “The school is not providing or using AT written in my child’s IEP.” o Reason: Usually it’s a lack of money or staff knowledge, neither of which can excuse the school’s inaction. o Solution: Use the complaint process if necessary to complain about legal violations or failure to provide FAPE.

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT28 Common Problems 8 o Problem: “I don’t agree with what the school district’s evaluator said.” o Reason: There may be problems with standardized tests or different interpretations of the same information. o Solution: Ask for an explanation; request an independent evaluation.

Any Questions? 9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT29

9/19/07MPAS Spec Ed & AT30 Thank you for Attending! MPAS Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc Legacy Parkway, Suite 500 Lansing, MI (517) or (800)