Nassau County School District

Assistive Technology (AT)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004) requires a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) team to consider whether assistive technology devices and services are needed to meet a student’s educational goals. If the IEP team determines that a student needs assistive technology devices or services to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), it is the district’s responsibility to ensure that they are available for the student.

What is Assistive Technology? 
Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a student with a disability. An assistive technology service is any service that directly assists a student with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device in the student’s customary environment.

Our Mission
The team strives for collaboration and participation with the Nassau County staff, parents, and students in determining the educational necessity of assistive technology and appropriate solutions to meet a student’s needs in the areas of writing, reading, math, adapted environmental controls, activities of daily living, mobility, and communication.

Quick Links
FLDOE Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Paper
Technology and Learning Connections
FLDOE Accommodations Manual

Resources
Project Access
Modifying Content to support students with disabilities
Monarch Reader (formerly Tarheel Reader)
Read and Write Overview_students
Read and Write Overview 
LearningAlly (Auditory Book Solution)

Assistive Technology for Grade Level Standards
https://padlet.com/alvarest/jb309kaz2h16g623

MTSS
Integrating Technology to Support Student's Learning Of B.E.S.T. Standards
https://padlet.com/region5mtss/BEST_Resources

The Nassau County Schools assistive technology support team consists of an interdisciplinary team including an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Speech and Language Pathologists, ESE teachers, and teachers of the visually impaired. We provide individualized support and coaching to the IEP teams throughout our district. 

CONTACT US

Stacy Alvaré M.Ed., ATP
Instructional Support and Inclusion Specialist
Lead Assistive Technology Specialist
alvarest@nassau.k12.fl.us
904-491-9880 ext 1266

Assistive Technology (AT) Process

• IEP teams must consider whether a student with a disability requires Assistive Technology at each IEP meeting.
• Consideration is a discussion that takes place during the IEP meeting using known information and data which could include results of other assessments, and/or evaluations. During the consideration process the team may decide no AT is needed or that the current AT is sufficient. 
• If a need is identified during the consideration process, the team should explore resources and strategies, try a different AT, or request additional consulation.

Assistive Technology Consideration Video