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Assistive Technology Under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Presented by Maria Jones

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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that team members consider assistive technology that children with disabilities require to benefit from early intervention and/or education. This course will explore the legal mandates of assistive technology (AT) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as decision-making frameworks that team members can use to guide assessment and implementation. Team members must consider a range of AT options for children and must navigate funding sources to secure recommended AT devices and services.

Meet your instructor

Maria Jones

Maria A. Jones, PT, PhD, is a program director and clinical professor at Oklahoma City University (OCU). She is developing a physical therapy education program at OCU. She also consults with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (Oklahoma’s Medicaid program) about policy and authorization of durable medical equipment and…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Legal Mandates for Assistive Technology

1. Legal Mandates for Assistive Technology

This chapter will cover assistive technology devices and service definitions and will explore the consideration of special factors. It will review recent case law decisions involving assistive technology. Understanding the legal basis for assistive technology is important to help team members maintain consistency in making objective and defensible decisions.

Assistive Technology Decision-Making Frameworks

2. Assistive Technology Decision-Making Frameworks

Following a consistent decision-making process is critical for team members to ensure recommendations are data-driven. This chapter will present several decision-making frameworks and will explore a decision-making framework that teams have used in early intervention and schools.

Assistive Technology Options

3. Assistive Technology Options

Having knowledge about categories of assistive technology and the range of assistive technology devices available is critical to consideration and assessment. This chapter will discuss the categories of assistive technology that are commonly used in early intervention and schools and will go into the range of options available for positioning and mobility.

The Physical Therapist’s Role in Assistive Technology

4. The Physical Therapist’s Role in Assistive Technology

Assistive technology assessment and implementation is a team process that involves multiple professionals/disciplines. This chapter will underscore the importance of each team member and describe how physical therapists can contribute to the process.

Funding for Assistive Technology

5. Funding for Assistive Technology

Securing funding for assistive technology can be a complex process. This chapter will review common funding sources and provide information that will help team members access appropriate funding sources in a more efficient and effective manner.