La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CI-1305

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section CI-1305 - Assistive Technology

A. Definition. Assistive technology services means any service that directly assists a student with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Included in these services are the following:

1. an evaluation of the needs of a student with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the student in the student's customary environment;

2. the purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices for students with disabilities;

3. the selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices;

4. the coordinating and using of other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;

5 the training or technical assistance necessary for a student with a disability, or where appropriate, for the student's family;

6. the training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or who are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that student;

7. ass istive technology device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a student with a disability:

a. assistive technology encompasses a broad range of devices from very simple ("low technology") to very sophisticated ("high technology").

B. Criteria for Eligibility

1. Evidence of criteria listed in Subparagraphs a and b must be met:

a. the student must be classified and eligible for special educational services; and

b. there is documented evidence that assistive technology is required within the educational setting.

2. Each LEA shall ensure that assistive technology devices and/or assistive technology services are made available to a student with a disability, if required, as a part of the student's special education, related services, or supplementary aids and services. Consideration should be given for every student with a disability who is eligible for an individualized education program as to whether the student requires assistive technology devices and/or services to receive an appropriate education.

C. Procedures for Evaluation

1. The assistive technology evaluation shall be conducted by qualified professional(s) with the level of expertise necessary to address the specific areas of concern. These professionals may include, but are not limited to audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech/language pathologists, teachers of the visually impaired, adapted physical education teachers, and assistive technology personnel:

a. an observation of the student interacting with parents, teachers or peers in the educational environment during daily activities. The utilization of observational tools such as interaction checklists, criterion-based instruments, task analysis, and needs assessment, etc., is recommended;

b. an interview with the primary care providers and classroom teacher(s) to determine what intervention strategies for assistive technology devices and services, if any, have already been attempted or provided and what the results were;

c. an assessment of the student's current mobility, seating, positioning, and neuromotor ability, if applicable, to determine selection techniques and the method(s) of access for assistive technology as well as to address further seating, positioning, and mobility needs;

d. the results of an assessment with a variety of assistive technology devices that would be appropriate for the student. Trials with assistive technology devices could include options for both low technology and high technology solutions. The student and family should be involved in this process to ensure the likelihood that the technology that is selected will be used.

2. Recommendations should also include personnel who will need training and technical assistance to work with the student.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CI-1305

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 35:919 (May 2009), effective July 1, 2009.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:1941 et seq.