Transcript Meeting the Needs of Students with Significant Disabilities: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING GRANT Kathy Knighton [email protected] Office of Special Programs West Virginia Department of Education.

Meeting the Needs of
Students with Significant
Disabilities:
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPLEMENTAL
FUNDING GRANT
Kathy Knighton
[email protected]
Office of Special Programs
West Virginia Department of Education
What is Assistive Technology?

“Any item, piece of equipment, or product
system, whether acquired commercially or
off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is
used to maintain, or improve functional
capabilities of individuals with disabilities”
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA).

Tremendous potential to promote equity
for students with disabilities……
◦
◦
◦
◦
independent
self-confident
productive
integrated into school and society.
Legal Aspects……

School districts are mandated to make
assistive technology available to all
students with disabilities if appropriate to
receive a free appropriate public education
(FAPE).
◦
◦
◦
◦

IEP Team Decision
Home Use
Funded by district
Provide devices/services
Consideration of special factors.
◦ Assistive technology must be considered for ALL
students in the special education process.
Challenges of Delivering Assistive
Technology

Lack of Information
◦ Current/accurate information

Lack of Expertise
◦ Skills/Knowledge

High Rate of Abandonment
◦ 1/3 of assistive technology abandoned after
first year

Lack of Funding
◦ Significant barrier

Inclusion and Lack of Assistive
Technology
Implications for Schools

PLANNING
◦ School district’s long range technology and
special education plans, procedures, services
and budget include assistive technology.

TRAINING
◦ All staff are able to appropriately “consider”
students for assistive technology services
and/or devices.
◦ Staff are trained to integrate technology in
teaching to help students with disabilities gain
skills and achieve higher standards.

INCLUSION
◦ Assistive technology is used to support the
inclusion of students with disabilities in regular
education placements and access to the general
curriculum.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FUNDING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
http://wvde.state.wv.us/osp/assistivetechnology.html


ARE SCHOOL DISTRICTS REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND SERVICES?
YES. District must provide the equipment, services or programs
recommended in the IEP.
 Use federal, state or local funds.
 Access other sources such as Medicaid, Vocational Rehabilitation,
and/or private health insurance policies to pay for the devices and
services.


CAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS REQUIRE PARENTS TO USE THEIR
PRIVATE INSURANCE TO PAY FOR NECESSARY ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND SERVICES?
NO “Free” in FAPE is extremely significant regarding children with
disabilities who may require assistive technology devices or services.
◦ As stated in IDEA and its regulations, all aspects of special
education and related services must be provided "at no cost to the
parents."
 If family agrees to allow the district to access private insurance
◦ Decision must be strictly voluntary.
Funding……..

ARE SCHOOL DISTRICTS RESPONSIBLE FOR CUSTOMIZATION,
MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY DEVICES?

YES. If family owned AT is used by the school, on the IEP, and is necessary for
providing Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

District responsible for maintenance, repair and re-placement

ARE THERE OTHER OPTIONS FOR SCHOOLS TO CONSIDER IN LIEU
OF PURCHASING THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE?

YES. Purchase of equipment or devices is not always necessary or even advisable

Temporary condition or expected to improve or deteriorate

Need to try-out equipment before purchase for a student

Consider rental or long-term lease - purchase options

Long-term leasing or lease-purchase agreements benefits:
◦
no obligation on behalf of the school to purchase device;
◦
reduction of obsolete inventory;
◦
use of equipment without a lump sum purchase;
◦
flexible leasing terms;
◦
upgrading equipment as more improved technology becomes available
◦
upgrading equipment as the student's needs change.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING GRANT

PURPOSE
◦ Funding resource when unanticipated costly assistive technology
device and/or service for a specific student with a disability
occurs and other funding sources are not available.
◦ Reimbursement for assistive technology devices and/or services.
◦ Contingent upon an approved application with corresponding
required documentation and funding availability.
◦ Responsibility of district to purchase AT immediately after
identified.
◦ Districts required to ensure that AT is provided regardless of any
funding opportunities from the Office of Special Programs!

PRIORITIES
◦ Newly identified students with costly assistive technology needs as
determined by an IEP Team.
◦ Not students who have previously been identified and should
have been receiving assistive technology devices and/or services.
GRANT REQUIREMENTS
APPLICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENT MUST:
◦ Provide student specific information.
◦ Identify student’s specific assistive technology need(s).
◦ Include a copy of the student’s IEP that documents the need for the
assistive technology services and/or devices.
◦ Include an invoice(s) for the assistive technology device(s) or
service(s).
◦ Include specific Assurance Statements signed by the county
superintendent and the special education director.
 Please Note:
◦ Requests from districts who have expired state and/or federal grant
awards with unencumbered amounts and/or who have been required
to return unencumbered special education funds are not eligible to
apply for these supplemental funds.
 http://wvde.state.wv.us/osp/assistivetechnology.html
 Applications should be mailed to:
Kathy Knighton, Office of Special Programs
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Building 6, Room 304
Charleston, West Virginia 25305

WV FUNDING RESOURCES





WV DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (WVDE)
OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Kathy Knighton [email protected]
Annette Carey [email protected]
Ruth Ann King [email protected]
Valerie Wilson [email protected]

WV Birth to Three Program (WVDHHR)
Contact: Pam Roush, 304-558-6311, 1-800-642-9704

WV Early Childhood Resource Lending Library (ECRLL)
1-800-642-9704
http://cedwvu.org/resources/library.php

West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)
1-888- 829-9426 http://wvats.cedwvu.org/

West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services
304-776-4702 http://www.wvdrs.org
THANK-YOU!!!!!
11/6/2015