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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Information

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technologies (AT) are items or activities that help make everyday life more accessible and enjoyable to people with disabilities. Assistive technology helps people with disabilities accomplish the everyday tasks that people without disabilities can do.

Assistive technology includes all sorts of items you might already be using, such as: hearing aids, closed caption TV, large-type books, wheelchairs, adapted utensils, remote controlled on/off switches, and computers.

What is the difference between AT devices and AT services?

Assistive technology devices are the items used by persons with disabilities to perform some task of daily living, They enable persons with disabilities to communicate, see, hear, or maneuver. Assistive technology device scan range from “low tech” (pencil grips, adapted spoons, paper stabilizers) to “high tech” (computers, voice synthesizers, Braille readers). They can be homemade, purchased off the shelf, modified, or commercially available.

Assistive technology services are the activities that help people select, acquire or use their assistive technology devices. AT services include: finding the right device, training you and your family members on the device, maintaining and repairing the device and conducting the evaluation that helps you determine which kind of device you need. AT services are usually provided by a professional trained in the use of assistive technology such as: a special education teacher, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist or a certified AT specialist.

Is assistive technology only for people with severe disabilities?

No, AT is for people with all different levels of disabilities. For people with severe mental or physical disabilities, AT can help to solve multiple and complex problems, but those with less involved difficulties also can benefit from assistive technology, too.

Assistive Technology Evaluations & Assessments

How do I identify the kind of assistive technology I need?

The primary way of identifying appropriate AT is through recommendations from physicians, special education teachers, physical or occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, assistive technologists, or NMTAP's staff. You should also expect the professionals who evaluate your assistive technology needs to have information about where to find helpful devices and services. For students, professionals serving on a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team are likely to know about resources for locating the technology a child and family need.

What can I do to make sure the AT device I choose is the best for me?

The first thing you should do is ask for general recommendations from special education teachers, therapists, assistive technologists, or NMTAP's staff.

Then, once you have narrowed down your choices, contact your school district or DVR office and ask them to borrow several types of devices from the Device Loan Program so you can try them out. During the trial period, it will be possible to identify training needs for you and your family members. The trial period will also be a time for you to test the device in several settings to determine its portability and flexibility.

What professionals are considered qualified to assess a person in the area of assistive technology?

There are no federal or state certification standards for specialists in assistive technology. However, school districts and DVR can access professionals who have received training in conducting assistive technology evaluations. If your service provider cannot locate personnel who are knowledgeable in conducting such evaluations, you may contact other knowledgeable providers such as NMTAP (e-mail Kathy.McWhorter@state.nm.us or Independent Living Centers.

Assistive Device Purchases

How much should I expect assistive technology to cost?

Costs for AT can range from less than $1.00 for a pencil grip to up to $80,000 for a fully-customized modified van. People who are planning assistive technology purchases should also be prepared for costs that go beyond the price of the device. For example, a computer set-up with a keyboard, monitor and printer might cost $2,000. But, this equipment is basically useless for a person with a disability unless other equipment is bought: software, adapted devices, scanners and upgrades. Prices for these additions can raise the actual cost of the device by hundreds of dollars. Repair and maintenance are other costs usually added to the cost of the equipment.

Are there other options to consider instead of purchasing the assistive technology device?

Yes. There are times when the outright purchase of equipment or devices is not necessary or even advisable. In such instances, you might consider rental or long-term lease options. For example, renting equipment might be a reasonable strategy if a person is expected to improve in a short period of time, or when it is necessary to try out the equipment before purchase.

My child's school wants to use my family's insurance plan to pay some of the cost of the AT. Must I agree to this?

No. School cannot require you to use your health insurance coverage to pay for assistive technology or any school-related service. The “free” in free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) means that parents of students with disabilities who require assistive technology devices or services do not have to pay for these items. As stated in IDEA and its regulations, all special education and related services identified in the student's IEP must be provided “at no cost to the parent.”

In fact, agreeing to use your family's health insurance coverage for your child's school- related devices or services could be risky. When your family needs to use your health insurance coverage later, maybe for a medical emergency, you may not have coverage available because using your coverage for school-related devices and services may have depleted your maximum lifetime benefit amount.

Assistive Technology at School

How is assistive technology integrated into my child's curriculum?

The IEP team needs to discuss how the device will be used by the student and how it will be integrated into the curriculum. The IEP team should identify on the IEP how the device will be used by the student in the classroom. This information should be shared with the general classroom teachers so that they are aware of how it is to be used.

Can the school district require a student to bring a personally owned assistive device to school in order to do schoolwork?

No. However, the family may wish the child to use his or her equipment in school since the child may be more familiar or comfortable with it. The IEP team should decide who is responsible for repair and maintenance of family owned devices.

Can an assistive technology device be used by more than one student?

Yes, if the device is the property of the school district and if all of the students using the device have access to the equipment when they need it, then the device can be used by multiple students.

Is a school district responsible for providing “state of the art” equipment for a student?

No. The school district need provide only appropriate technology in order to meet the student's needs as described in the IEP. The decision as to what type of assistive technology is appropriate should be based on the assistive technology evaluation recommendations and IEP team decision. There may be “devices” or features of equipment which may be nice for the student to have, but if they are not necessary for a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE), the school district is not obligated to provide them. If a specific device is necessary to ensure FAPE and no other device can meet the student's needs, then the district must provide the required device, even though it is costly. If a less expensive device would accomplish the same goals, the IEP team is under no obligation to choose a more expensive option.

If a student needs a computer, can a school owned computer be used in the lab or classroom?

Yes, a school owned computer can be used if the student has access to the equipment when he or she needs it. If the student does not have the necessary access, then the appropriate equipment should be purchased for the student's use.

Does assistive technology include access to school buildings?

One important part of a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) is that students with disabilities are able to get to school, get into the school, and use the school building and facilities. Assistive technology can be used to provide access to the school bus, classroom, playground, gymnasium, auditorium, lunchroom or the equipment in them. Any or all of these needs can be addressed in your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Bus modifications for improved access and appropriate seating can help with transportation to and from school and school activities. Doors, walkways, handles, switches, stairs, steps, can be modified so that a student with disabilities can use them as effectively as classmates. Appropriate seating and playground modifications can enhance recreational access for students with disabilities.

My child changes buildings during the school day. Can the AT move from building to building?

If a student's IEP or educational plan under 504 requires that equipment and services are available to your child, then they can move where your child moves.

Transporting devices from one building to another on a regular daily basis can be cumbersome. Moving a device may use up valuable student, teacher, and staff time or may take that device away from other students, teachers and staff who need it at the first facility or building. Your school's 504 coordinator or your child's PET may want to consider alternatives to moving a single device.

What happens to assistive technology devices when students leave the school system at graduation?

If the school district purchased the device, the device is the property of the school. The school could keep the device for use by other students, sell it or decide to transfer the device to another district or loan program. If the family or another funding source purchased the device, it is the property of the student and the family.