DCPS Special Education Family Guide
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology (AT) includes tools that can help students with disabilities complete difficult tasks. AT can help students read, write, speak, understand, stand, walk, and sit. AT can be provided for communication, learning, and access. AT is not always an electronic device. It also includes lined paper, graphic organizers, pencil grips, and communication books. The AT team supports AT for learning, communication, and access. Please see the image below for examples of AT tools for learning, communication, and access:
Learning
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Tools that help students read, write and understand.
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Examples include text to speech, word prediction, graphic organizers and hands-on learning materials.
Communication
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Tools that help students communicate.
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Examples include communication devices and paper-based communication boards.
Access
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Tools that help students access classroom materials and the school.
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Examples include adapted chairs, gait, trainers, standers, switches, adapted utensils, and many other tools to help student success.
During each annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, your child’s team will discuss the need for AT tools. The team will discuss your child’s strengths and needs, the tasks that are hard for them, and the tools that your child currently uses. The team will consider if the current tools are helping your child. If found that the tools are not meeting your child's needs, the need for AT tools will be discussed.
Many of these AT tools are available at your child’s school. If your family purchased an AT device that the child uses at home, you can request the IEP team to consider including the device in your child's IEP.
The IEP team may need help finding the best fit for your child or to access a loaner tool. When schools need help, they can submit a request for support from the AT team. Schools can borrow AT tools or consult with the AT team to help them find the best tools in their area of need. The AT team can also work with your child to find the best tool to help them complete a task.
Lending Library
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Library of low to high-tech AT tools for check-out.
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School teams can use our lending library to borrow an AT tool for a short period of time.
Consultation
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Working together with your child's team to find the best tool for their needs.
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School teams can request a consultation if AT may help meet the student's needs.
Coaching
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The AT team member works with your child to test out AT tools.
School teams may also need help using AT tools with your child. If assistance is needed, schools can request training and coaching. Families can also attend these trainings. The AT team can also fix or replace broken AT devices that were bought by our team. If you have any questions, you may contact speech.audiology@k12.dc.gov, dcps.vision@k12.dc.gov, or DCPS.assistivetech@k12.dc.gov.