Plan Your Universal Access Initiative Now
Q: Which parts of IDEA are addressed with an Unlimited Site License?
A: Least Restrictive Environment—“According to the IDEA's LRE or mainstreaming policy, school districts are required to educate students with disabilities in regular classrooms with their non-disabled peers, in the school they would attend if not disabled, to the maximum extent appropriate.”
Source: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/lre.index.htm
This means that the assistive technology required by students with disabilities needs to be available in the environment where the students are educated. In inclusion settings, the assistive technology should be installed on computers in common locations, like computer labs and classroom computers. If a computer has Microsoft Word for the purpose of writing, shouldn’t that same computer include the assistive technology tools for students who need additional writing support? Until now, this has not been cost effective. However, with our Unlimited Site License and ARRA funds, this is now possible.
A: Students will often need assistive technology at home for Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Our Unlimited Site Licenses specifically address this point by including take-home rights. You can make this available to your students and save your district money with our Read:OutLoud Unlimited Site License.
This is what IDEA says:
“On a case-by-case basis, the use of school-purchased assistive technology devices in a child’s home or in other settings is required if the child’s IEP team determines that the child needs access to those devices in order to receive FAPE.”
IDEA 2004 Federal Regulations 34 CFR Section 300.105
Q: What are other districts planning? I need ideas.
A: This on-demand Webinar is presented by Bill Reeder and Jennifer Carr, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA; two AT experts in the field of assistive technology in one of the biggest school districts in the U.S. Bill Reeder a Special Education Administrator and Jennifer Carr, an AT Specialist talk about their plans for IDEA ARRA stimulus funds. Bill built one of the largest and most effective assistive technology teams in the U.S. You’ll hear about new ideas and possibilities as they share their experience to create a proactive infrastructure including a summer writing camp and student self-advocacy program. Watch it now!
Q: AT considerations should be done on an individual basis. If I purchase an Unlimited Site License would I still need to consider assistive technology on an individual basis?
A: Everything about special education requires determining the specific needs of each student. At the same time, categories of assistive technology (word prediction, text readers,) are proven to help a broad range of students with disabilities. You can gain a lot of momentum in terms of teacher training and system implementation by purchasing key genres of assistive technologies, like text readers and word prediction or graphic organizers in whole school licenses. See also our new Accessible Literacy Bundles. These can be implemented through a Universal Design initiative and then all students can access them as needed. Students with an IEP should always have these assistive technology tools as part of their program. This should be done on an individual basis, but when core tools are available throughout the school, most of your needs will be covered without dramatic swings in funding requirements from year to year when more students require these tools or more computers are purchased.
Q: How will the Unlimited Site License support students through transition?
A: Often as students move to the next grade (which is our goal), the teachers at the next grade level are unprepared. As teachers become more familiar with key AT tools, they will be more prepared for students as they transition from grade to grade. With an Unlimited Site License in your district, your students transitioning into a new grade will have access to the tools that are already familiar to them.
Q: Why should you use your ARRA funds to purchase assistive technologies from Don Johnston?
TOP 5 Reasons to consider Don Johnston a key partner in education:
5. Don was a struggling student and is passionate about making systemic changes in our school system. This passion drives every AT tool we create and the professional development services we offer.
4. Don Johnston offers an affordable Unlimited Site License that includes student take-home rights. This license helps you create a true UDL/Least Restrictive Environment which helps you create equal access at school AND at home.
3. Don Johnston supports the new Accessible Instructional Materials legislation. Over 5,000 schools in the U.S. hold unlimited site licenses to Read:OutLoud, including every school in Indiana and Virginia.
2. Don Johnston has led the field of accessible literacy with a broad range of mission-critical AT tools including Co:Writer, word prediction, Write:OutLoud, talking word processor, Read:OutLoud, text-to-speech reader, Draft:Builder, graphic organizer and Start-to-Finish, computer and audio books.
1. Don Johnston is a U.S. privately-owned small business. Since 1980, we have demonstrated sustained commitment to support educators and students through the use of quality assistive technologies and literacy tools. When you select Don Johnston as your partner in education, you will have ‘peace of mind’ that your recovery dollars are well invested in the U.S. economy with a quality and reputable company focused on students with special needs and those who struggle in literacy.
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