Assistive Technology Devices For Kids with 
Disabilities Are In The Schools

According to the results of a preliminary study conducted by the Assistive Technology Funding and Systems Change Project (ATFSCP) of United Cerebral Palsy, all of the thirty-one parents responding to a recent survey (representing a random national selection of parents of children with disabilities who have contacted the project for technical assistance) reported that their son/daughter has access to assistive technology at school. That's the good news.

The bad news is some eighty-seven percent of respondents say that there was no training or technical assistance provided on the use of the device. Thirteen percent indicate training was provided by the device manufacturer. One hundred percent of those parents indicate a lack of awareness, responsibility and accountability from school systems regarding repairs, maintenance and customization of assistive technology devices or how vendors are chosen and approved. All of the respondents reported that the school was resistant to an assistive technology assessment for the student.
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