what is assistive technology in special education

Assistive technology in special education refers to any device, piece of equipment, or product system that helps to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a student with a disability. Assistive technology devices can be high-tech or low-tech and can include items such as wheelchairs, ramps, augmentative communication devices, text magnifiers, and scanners with speech synthesizers and voice analyzers. Assistive technology services include any direct assistance to the student with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of the assistive technology device, such as evaluation of a students need, purchasing, leasing, or acquiring of an assistive technology device, and training or technical assistance for a student, the students family, or other professionals who provide services to or are otherwise substantially involved in the students major life functions. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines assistive technology as 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 the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The use of assistive technology in special education can help students with disabilities participate in everyday activities with their typically developing peers and support natural learning opportunities and the successful inclusion of infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities in the full array of services and settings that are available to all young children.