The Texas Assistive Technology Network (TATN) is a partnership between Education Service Center (ESC) Region 4 and the TEA. Contacts from each of the 20 ESCs collaborate to provide statewide assistive technology (AT) training and technical assistance. The purpose of the assistance and training is to build school district capacity related to AT and to improve literacy skills of all students who need access to instructional materials in alternate formats.
http://tea.texas.gov/index2.aspx?id=2147498077
Code of Federal Regulations:
§ 300.6Assistive technology service..Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes—(a) The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment;(b) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;(c) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;(d) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;(e) Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate, that child's family; and(f) Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that child.(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(2))
§ 300.105Assistive technology.(a) Each public agency must ensure that assistive technology devices or assistive technology services, or both, as those terms are defined in §§ 300.5 and 300.6, respectively, are made available to a child with a disability if required as a part of the child's—(1) Special education under § 300.36;(2) Related services under § 300.34; or(3) Supplementary aids and services under §§ 300.38 and 300.114(a)(2)(ii).(b) On a case-by-case basis, the use of school-purchased assistive technology devices in a child's home or in other settings is required if the child's IEP Team determines that the child needs access to those devices in order to receive FAPE.
300.324Development, review, and revision of IEP.
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2016-title34-vol2/xml/CFR-2016-title34-vol2-sec300-324.xml
Commissioner's Rule
State law (TEC §30.0015) allows schools to transfer AT devices when a student moves to a different school in the district or no longer attends school in the district that purchased the device. The AT device may be transferred to:
- the new school or school district,
- a state agency that provides services to the student after graduation, or
- the adult student or student’s parents.
TEA has developed a form (Uniform Transfer Agreement Form for Assistive Technology Devices) to convey title of AT devices that are transferred under this state law.
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter089/ch089aa.html#89.1056
At a Glance: Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
- https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-free-and-appropriate-public-education
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says that each child who has a disability and needs special education and related services will receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). Here’s a closer look at FAPE.
https://www.atpe.org/en/Protection/Your-Students-Parents/Special-Education
Special education and Section 504
The law pertaining to students with disabilities
Even if special education and Section 504 are not issues for you now, they probably will be at some point in the future as many students with disabilities are included in the regular education program. Whatever your current situation, you should protect yourself and your students by knowing the details on what special education students are entitled to in the classroom.
FAQs
Student discipline
Working with parents
Tips for educating students with disabilities
Video Recording in Special Education