People with disabilities often require special accommodations to help them complete their educational goals. Assistive technology (AT) is one such accommodation that can be used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional abilities of a person with a disability. In Minnesota, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides guidance on the types of AT that are covered and how to access them. The ADA National Network is a great resource for information, guidance, and training on the ADA and its implementation.
It can help people with disabilities by providing information related to access to services, programs, and activities provided by public entities. The ADA National Network can also provide personalized support and technical assistance to answer any additional questions you may have about the ADA. When selecting the specific type of reasonable adaptation to be offered, the main test is effectiveness. Adaptation does not have to guarantee equal results or provide exactly the same benefits.
If AT is necessary for a student with a disability to complete their educational goals, it must be included in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP team should also assess the AT if necessary. The federal government's Technology-Related Assistance Act for People with Disabilities (PL 100-407) has increased the sophistication of several mechanical and digital technologies since its enactment. Minnesota STAR (a technology system for achieving results) is a state program that shows and lends AT equipment, in addition to helping people with disabilities sell or exchange AT devices.
Scooters and wheelchairs help with mobility, while hearing aids and screen reading software help with communication. Tablets and smartphones can be augmentative communication devices. The ADA National Network can provide information from the ADA related to access the goods and services provided by places of public accommodation. The final Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations apply only to Title I of the ADA; they do not apply to Titles II and III of the ADA. The term 'assistive technology service' means any service that directly helps a child with a disability to select, acquire, or use an assistive technology device. The ADA National Network is the go-to resource for free information, guidance and training on the ADA and its implementation, designed to meet the needs of businesses, government and individuals at the local, regional and national levels.
