Needs for technology must be identified on an individual basis. Identification of technology needs must involve family members and a multidisciplinary team. Parents or IEP members can ask for additional evaluation or an independent evaluation to determine assistive technology needs. Lack of available of equipment or cost alone cannot be used as an excuse for denying an assistive technology service. If included in the IEP, assistive technology services and devices must be provided at no cost to the family and, if so indicated, devices must be allowed to go home with the student.
Parents always have the right to appeal if assistive technology services are denied.
To assist school districts, Gayl Bowser and Penny Reed developed the Education TECH Point system that gives educators a tool to develop effective assistive technology delivery systems. Extended assessment questions. Plan development questions. Periodic review questions. At each point, questions are posed which reflect issues that must be addressed.