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= **Welcome to my Wiki on Assitive Technology** =

The term assistive technology (A.T.) is defined in the federal law that is the foundation for ALL special education services IDEA 2004 (Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act revised in 2004). In IDEA 2004 they break assistive technology down into 2 parts: assistive technology devices and assistive techbology services.

Assistive Technology __**Devices**__ are defined as, "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 a child with a disability" (IDEA 2004, Sec.1401(1)(A)). ***IMPORTANT** the law includes an **EXCEPTION** in the definition of assistive technology devices which states, "The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device"(IDEA 2004, Sec.1401(1)(B)). In this wiki we will dicuss a couple examples of Low Tech and High Tech A.T. devices, as well as other links to find more information.

Assistive Technology __**Services**__ are defined as, "any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device" (IDEA 2004, Sec.1401(2)).

Here is a short youtube video explaining what A.T. is and how it has been intergrated into the special education classrooms.

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