The Heidelberg DSO has established Assistive Technology Lending Library at Mannheim Middle School. You'll find assistive technology devices and materials that you can try out! Materials and devices are available for short-term loan (up to 9 weeks). The Lending Library is for use by special education personnel with students on Individualized Education Plans in the Heidelberg District (IEP).
The Lending Library Point of Contact is:
Mannheim Middle School
Unit 29937 APO AE 09086
Commercial: 0621-720050
DSN: 380-9181
Email: HeidLendLib@eu.dodea.edu
Special Education teachers in the Heidelberg District commuting area should make an appointment to view, pick-up and/or return items. For those schools outside the commuting area, items can be mailed/returned through the Official Mail System. (Packages should be mailed with return receipts)
Individuals are fully responsible for the items in their care. Materials and devices MUST be returned promptly according to their due date.
NOTE: Software must be un-installed before returning it to the Lending Library.
What is Assistive Technology?
Virtually anything that makes a task easier to complete qualifies as AT. Eyeglasses are AT; wheelchairs are AT; talking computers can be AT; and rubber jar openers are AT. The LEGAL definition of AT is:
- any item, piece of equipment, or product system--whether acquired commercially off-the-shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability. (20 U.S.C. §1401 [25] )
- Every day, people use technology to function more fully in their lives...High-tech equipment, like personal computers and automobiles. And low-tech tools, like pencils and doorknobs. Most people rarely think about the technology designed for their daily use. But for 35 million Americans with disabilities, the technology that could offer greater control over their lives is not always at their fingertips. It's not always found in the corner hardware store or the Sears catalog.
Each Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team is now required to “consider” the need for Assistive Technology for every child in special education, as part of the new Special Factors requirement in the Individuals with Disabilities Act ‘97.
Consideration is a brief process, one that can take place within every Individualized Education Plan meeting. In order to consider the need for assistive technology, at least on person on the Individualized Education Plan Team must have some knowledge about assistive technology. When considering a child's need for Assistive Technology, there are only four general conclusions that can be reached.
1). The first is that current interventions (what ever they may be) are working and nothing new is needed, including AT.
2). The second possibility is that AT is already being used (or there has been a trial with AT) so that we know that it does work. In that case the IEP Team should write the specific AT into the IEP to insure that it continues to be available for the child.
3). The third possibility is that the IEP Team may conclude that new AT should be tried. In that case , the IEP Team will need to describe in the IEP the type of AT to be tried, including the features they think may help, such as "having the computer speak the text as the student writes".
4). Finally, the last possibility is that the IEP Team will find that they simply do not know enough to make a decision. In this case, they will need to gather more information. That could be a simple process of calling someone for help, or going to get some print, disk, or online resources to help them better "consider" what AT might be useful. It could also be an indication that they need to schedule (or refer for) an evaluation of the child's need for assistive technology.
Assistive technology not available to all students in the classroom should be listed on the IEP if required by a special education student. Assistive technology available to all students, (e.g., the computer lab) to which the child has access, usually is not specified on the IEP. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires schools to provide assistive technology if it is required for a student to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Assistive technology must be provided at no cost to the parents.
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