January 23, 2024
Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) Office of Educational Technology and the Office of Special Education Programs released a comprehensive guidance package designed to increase understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) assistive technology (AT) requirements, dispel common misconceptions regarding AT, and provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities, as well as to highlight the different AT requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA.
This package includes two parts:
- A joint Dear Colleague Letter from Glenna Wright-Gallo, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), and Roberto J. Rodríguez, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, announcing the release of the guidance package.
- A guidance document dispelling common misconceptions regarding AT: "Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services."
Learn more by visiting the ED’s AT and IDEA resource page.
You can also learn about the release of the National Education Technology Plan, which provides actionable recommendations to address digital use, design, and access divides in education.
You can also learn about the release of the National Education Technology Plan, which provides actionable recommendations to address digital use, design, and access divides in education.
Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Preconference Session
OSERS will be discussing the new guidance tomorrow, January 24, from 1:00-4:30 PM ET, at an ATIA preconference session hosted by the AT3 Center. You do not need to attend the ATIA conference to participate in this session.