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Title | Defining AT | Defining IT | Defining AET | AT Categories | AT Checklist | AT Accommodations | Screen Readers | Example Materials
Defining
Assistive Technology
What is assistive technology?
...any item, piece of
equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially
off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to
increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities.
[20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Section 1401 (250)]
The following Federal Legislations all have
impact on the use of computers/technology in education.
| Developmental Disabilities Act
(DDA, P.L. 106-402), 2000 |
| Assistive Technology Act
(ATA, P.L. 105-394), 1998 |
| Education of the Handicapped Act
(EHA, P.L. 94-142) |
| Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with
Disabilities Act
(Tech Act, P.L. 100-407) |
| Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA, P.L. 105-17 ) |
Federal support for special education dates back to 1975.
In that year, Congress passed Public Law 94-142, The
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA), to ensure
equal access by children with disabilities, ages five through
twenty-one, to publicly funded educational opportunities and
programs from which many of them had, until then, been
excluded.
In 1986, Public Law 99-457 reauthorized the EHA, changing
its name to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA). This statute required states to begin planning to
serve children, ages three to five, who require special
education by 1991. It also established the Infants and
Toddlers with Disabilities Program by offering states
financial assistance to begin planning to serve children from
birth to age three with disabilities.
More about AT laws
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