Special Education / Student Services
Assistive Technology

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 increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The terms includes:

• The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child’s customary environment;
• Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;
• Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;
• Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and program;
• Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate that child’s family;
• Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services; employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of children with disabilities.

For more information, see the Illinois State Board of Education's Assistive Technology information at http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/html/assist_tech.htm.

How do I know if my student/Child needs assistive technology(A.T.)?

• A.T. Brochure (pdf)
• Teacher FAQs

Referral Procedures

• District 202 Assistive Technology Referral and Assessment Process
  • Part One
  • Part Two
• A.T. Consideration and Resource Guide (pdf)
• A.T. Parent Permission Form (pdf)
• A.T. Referral Form (pdf)

AT Equipment Checkout Procedures

Student specific Assistive Technology is determined through an Assistive Technology Referral and items are signed out by each student's Case Manager. (The signature is primarily for inventory tracking purposes.) Classroom Assistive Technology may be checked out by a Case Manager on an as needed basis for a period of time for students with IEPs. These items are available through the Assistive Technology Loan Library. Please read additional directions for classroom checkout procedures on PDF link below.

•  PCCSD 202 A.T. Loan Library: Equipment List and Procedures

Award-Winning Websites to Assist Students with Their Career Planning

Many capable individuals with disabilities face challenges as they pursue academics and careers. They are underrepresented in many rewarding career fields, including science, engineering, business, and technology. DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment. The University of Washington’s DO-IT offers a wonderful online resource for students with disabilities.

Awards and Recognition : DO-IT has received national and regional awards including the National Information Infrastructure Award in Education; the King County Adult Service Agency Award, an Outstanding Program Award from the Washington Association on Post Secondary Education Disability (WAPED); the HealthyWay Best of the Web Award; and the President’s Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring of underrepresented groups. DO-IT was also showcased in the 1997 President’s Summit on Volunteerism and the 1996 NSF Dynamic Partnerships invitational conference.

For students as they consider their future (post-secondary):

http://www.washington.edu/doit/Resources/college_prep.html