A family can request an AT evaluation at any time. The 1997 IDEA states that every student s need for AT must be considered when the student s IEP is being developed. The IEP team must determine if an evaluation is needed and who should conduct the evaluation. If the school doesn t have assistive technology devices my child needs, then we can t ask for it. The school system is responsible for acquisition and procurement of AT devices and for proper training in its use.
Accommodations are costly to the employer.
Accommodations that adhere to universal design benefit all employees. I have a disability that requires me to use an AT device to do my job. Since the company doesn t have the device I have to pay for it. According to the ADA, an employer is required to provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified employee with a disability, including providing or modifying equipment.