SPE 3380

Legal Basis for

AT
Group Activity
Section 504- Group 1
What is it?
● Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits the discrimination of individuals with
disabilities. This also means that individuals with disabilities have rights to access equal
education. (LDRFA)
How is it important in regards to AT for individuals with disabilities?
● The act allows students to have access to AT even if they were not garnered under the IDEA.
● Allows the student to have accommodations as needed (verbal testing, extended time on
tests, technology/visual aids)
● Allows students to communicate effectively
● Benefit form instructional material
● Provide aids at a workplace

Resources (2):
● https://www.ldrfa.org/what-parents-should-know-about-assistive-technology-laws-and-legislation/
● https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/504-plans.html
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) Group 1
What is it?

● IDEA is a law that ensures that all students with disabilities receive a public & appropriate
education.

How is it important in regards to AT for individuals with disabilities?

● IDEA is important in regards to AT for individuals with disabilities because it protects the rights of
these individuals & some may need AT to be able to effectively participate in classroom activities &
communicate with others.
● IDEA also ensures that teachers & parents have tools that are necessary for providing students with
disabilities with the best education possible.
RESOURCES (2)

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/#IDEA-Purpose

https://www.ocali.org/up_doc/AT_Resource_Guide_1.pdf
 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)-Group 2
What is it?
● The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) aims to provide all students with equal access to quality
education. Under ESSA, each state must create education plans for its schools. These plans must include
academic standards, annual testing, school accountability, and plans for supporting struggling schools.
ESSA was created with disadvantaged students such as students in poverty, students with disabilities,
and students with limited English skills in mind. ESSA encourages schools to use innovative teaching
methods such as UDL and personalized learning plans to benefit all students.

How is it important in regards to AT for individuals with disabilities?

● The act controls more of the funding aspect of equitable education and providing assistive technology
○ Specifically, it determines an equal amount of funds by individual to provide equitable services
● Federal funds for materials and technology for students in need of AT

RESOURCES (2):

● https://www.understood.org/en/articles/every-student-succeeds-act-essa-what-you-need-to-know
● https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/essa.html
 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- Group
2
What is it?
● A civil rights law that was put in place to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal
rights and opportunities
● Equal opportunity is guaranteed for individuals with disabilities in public accomodations,
employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.
How is it important in regards to AT for individuals with disabilities?
● Gives all students the rights to receive AT
● Protects the rights of all people with disabilities
● Protects discrimination in the workplace
● Accommodations must be made and known to be reasonable (AT is a reasonable
accommodation)
Resources (2) :
● https://ectacenter.org/topics/atech/laws.asp
● https://www.ldrfa.org/what-parents-should-know-about-assistive-technology-laws-and-legislation/
 Assistive Technology Act- Group 3
What is it? The assistive technology (AT) act is put in place to promote awareness of, and access to, assistive technology devices
and services for individuals with disabilities. The AT act allows them to improve quality of life, involvement in the classroom, and
increase educational outcomes. This act covers individuals with any disability of all ages in all environments.

The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 defines an assistive technology device in the following way:
The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 defines an assistive technology device as one that is any item, piece of equipment or product
system, or any product that is acquired commercially off the shelf or customized for the student. The purpose is to improve
functional capabilities for the child in order to further their academic achievement. It also doesn’t include any medical device that is
surgically implanted or replaced.

How is it important in regards to AT for individuals with disabilities?

The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 (AT) is important in regards to assistive technology for individuals with disabilities
because it increases awareness of the need for AT as well as access to such services. It enables individuals with disabilities
to participate and engage more fully in classroom activities, as well as “evening the playing field” with their peers, whether
that be in the work field or social settings.

Resources (2):

https://www.parentcenterhub.org/ata/

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statute-chapter-33/subchapter-i/1401