The U.S. Department of Education’s 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, and Roberto J. Rodríguez, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development announcing the release of the guidance package, and
- A guidance document dispelling common misconceptions regarding AT titled, Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services.
The Department is also releasing the 2024 National Education Technology Plan (NETP) today. This flagship policy document provides actionable recommendations to address digital use, design, and access divides in education. In this document, you will see examples of early educators, school districts, and states creating more inclusive and accessible learning environments for all learners, including those with disabilities. The NETP also provides links to resources, such as the accessibility training modules developed by OSEP’s Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Center.
OSEP’s Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) will be offering additional resources and technical assistance on the AT guidance over the coming months. Information and updates will be posted to the CITES webpage as they are released. In the meantime, save the date for a live webinar featuring leaders from OSERS and OET scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET.
