The IDEA, 504, the ADA and Assistive Technology

1. The IDEA, 504, the ADA and Assistive Technology By Randy Chapman The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People

2. Assistive Technology Device: Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilitiies of a child with a disability.

3. AT Service • Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

4. AT services include: • Evaluating AT needs of student, including functional evaluation in student’s customary environment; • Purchasing, leasing or otherwise providing for acquisition of AT devices; • Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing AT devices;

5. AT services include: • Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with AT devices such as those associated with education and rehabilitation plans and programs; • training or TA for student or, where appropriate, the family; • training or TA for professionals (educators, rehabilitation personnel, employers and others).

6. Under the IDEA AT can be: • Special education: specially designed instruction to meet student’s needs. • Related services: services student needs to benefit from special education. • Supplementary aids or services: aids or services provided in regular education classes or other education-related settings to enable the student to be educated with students without disabilities.

7. Calculators Large print books Adapted spoons Auditory FM trainer Closed circuit TV Head pointers Electronic notetakers Cassette recorders Word prediction software Adapted keyboards Voice recognition and synthesis software Examples of assistive technology

8. IDEA: how to get AT • School Assessment: IEP team must assess the student’s functional capabilities and whether they may be increased, maintained, or improved through the use of AT devices or services. [OSEP Letter to Fisher, 23 IDELR 565 (1995)] • Independent assessment.

9. AT is a special factor, this means the IEP team must specifically consider whether the student requires AT devices and services. Individualized Educational Program

10. It is needed to ensure reasonable educational progress in the least restrictive setting. IEP team must approve AT device or service if:

11. The special education and related services and supplementary aids and services. Projected date when services begin and the frequency, location, and duration of services. IEP must include:

12. Home us OK if IEP team determines the AT is needed at home for FAPE. Ownership: AT is school property, but school may transfer ownership to student. Damage: school can’t charge for normal wear and tear. Special Issues

13. Section 504 • No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States…shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance…..

14. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act • Prohibits discrimination by public entities. • Public entities are State or local government and any department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or local government.

15. Covers places of education and elementary and secondary private schools, day care programs. Nondiscrimination. ADA Title III Public Accommodations

16. 504/ADA Disability A person has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.

17. IDEA An appropriate education means providing special education and the related services the student needs to benefit from the special education program. Services developed and provided through the IEP.

18. IDEA Disability • Child has an impairment (such as mental retardation, hearing impairments, speech and language impairments, visual impairments, serious emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairments, autism, TBI, OHI, or specific learning disabilities), AND because of having an impairment the child needs special education and related services.

19. Free appropriate public educaion under 504/ADA Means meeting the individual needs of students with disabilities as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities are met.

20. 504/ADA FAPE • Providing general or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet the individual educational needs of students with disabilities as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities are met.

21. 504/ADA and LRE • Students with disabilities receive services, to maximum extent appropriate, with students without disabilities. • Includes nonacademic and extracurricular activities like meals, recess, counseling services, transportation, health services, athletics, recreational activities, clubs or special interest groups.

22. Eligibility means having a condition requiring special education related services. FAPE: providing special education and related services. IEP Requires having a condition that substantially limits a major life function. FAPE: meeting needs as adequately as needs of students w/o disabilities are met 504 Plan documents accommodations and services. General education responsibility. IDEA vs. 504/ADA

23. Qualified interpreters Notetakers Transcription services Taped texts Readers Videotext displays Television enlargers Talking calculators Electronic readers Braille calculators, printers, typewriters Telephone hand set amplifiers Closed captioned decoders Open and closed captioning Auxiliary aids and services

24. Voice synthesizers Specialized gym equipment Calculators or keyboards with enlarged buttons Reaching devices for library use Raised line drawing kits Assistive listening devices Assistive listening systems TDDs More Auxiliary aids and services

25. Modify recess, PE Provide inhalant therapy assistance Administer medication, as prescribed Develop health care and emergency plan Provide rest periods Remove allergens Asthma substantially limits breathing

26. Accommodate absences for doctor’s appointments Modified PE Assistance carrying books Provide modified eating utensils, Notetaker, taped texts, lectures Assistive technology for writing; computer, pencil grip Supply extra set of books for home use Bathroom accommodation, locate class near restroom Arthritis pain limits performing manual tasks

27. Provide assistive technology Physical therapy Assist with carrying books or lunch trays Arrange for use of ramps, elevators Relocate classes Extra time between classes Physical disability that limits walking, fine motor skills

28. Monitor/distribute medications as prescribed Train staff and children and prepare emergency plan Provide rest time and academic consideration following seizures, Provide plan to makeup work so the student can catch up with peers. Epilepsy: student has periodic seizures limiting learning

29. Parent who is blind entitled to Braille copies of: • Copies of IEPS • Parent handbook • Model for requesting due process • Information about low cost or free legal services (35 IDELR 279)

30. Appeal Procedures • Mediation • Due Process Hearing • CDE Complaint Process • Office for Civil Rights Complaint • Court (usually must exhaust administrative procedures first)