Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

What Is AssistiveTechnology?Who’ll Pay For It?It’s any device or system that can maintain orimprove the capabilities of a person with a disabilityand the training or other support to ensure itsavailability. There are several options for payment.Payment for assistive technology may come from anyof several sources — the special education system,the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Divisionof Blind Services, Medicare, Medicaid, privateinsurance or the SSI program’s “Plan for AchievingSelf Support.”36Which agency will pay? The answerdepends on the disability, age and situationof the person who needs it. It also dependson how the technology is expected toimpact that person. If, for instance, thetechnology makes it possible for a studentto be educated in the least restrictiveenvironment, as the law requires,then it may be considered the school’sresponsibility.When school officials are deciding whetherto place a student with a disability in aregular classroom, before they look atother placements, they must considerhow assistive technology can help thestudent succeed in the least restrictiveenvironment.A student’s IEP or 504 Team can determine the needfor assistive technology based on a professionalevaluation. If the student needs the technologyfor home study, or in the transition to adulthood,the school may pay for both the equipment andthe training to use it. A student with a disabilitymay also need — and has a right to — some formof technology in order to participate fully in schoolactivities.In that case, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Actmay require that the school provide the technology,as well as any training necessary to use it. DVR andDBS are required to equip an eligible person foremployment.Assistive technologyservices include evaluation,maintenance, repair andtraining for students, theirfamilies and the professionalsworking with them.Examples of AT Devices or Aids:• Augmentative communication systems, includingtalking computers• Assistive listening devices, including hearing aids,personal FM units, closed-caption TVs and teletypemachines (TDDs)• Specially adapted learning games, toys andrecreation equipment• Computer-assisted instruction• Electronic tools (scanners with speech synthesizers,tape recorders, word processors)• Curriculum and textbook adaptations (audio format,large print format, Braille)• Copies of overheads, transparencies and notes• Adaption of the learning environment,such as special desks, modified learning stations,computer touch screens or different computerkeyboards• Durable medical equipment