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Things to think about while you read....

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Things to think about while you read....

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How each preceding law paved the way for students with disabilities today.

How did each law make assistive technology readily available for students like Sady(video linked below), today?

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Accessing the Artist Within | Sady Paulson & Mark Coppin | TEDxFargo

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The rehabilitation act of 1973 mandated that students with disabilities  have access to federally funded public school programs. Schools must provide a program that would be beneficial to to the student. This act opened the door for students to receive an educational program in a public school, however, these students did not necessarily have complete access to the school as funds were so limited that these programs were provided on different campuses or at home.  In addition, it did not clearly mention that students will be able to receive assistive technology services or devices.

Sady would benefit from this law because it allowed students with disabilities access to public schools. Before this, Sady would not have been guaranteed access to a program that benefits her. A student with a disability could have been denied enrollment to a public school.

Resources:
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund. (2018, April 25). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund. https://dredf.org/legal-advocacy/laws/section-504-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973/.

Goodrich, E. History of Progress.

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Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975

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Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975

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This law was extremely beneficial for students with disabilities. It required public schools to provide free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities between ages 3 and 21. This law really set the stage for equality in public schools and it also would mean permanent access to AT services once the Tech Act of 1998 was established. This law brought students with disabilities much closer to obtaining services that best met their needs and have a more permanent access. This law paved the way for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990.

Students now would benefit from this because it would allow them access to a free appropriate public education, protection to rights, and access to beneficial services. This means Sady would have constant access to assistive technology that could help her become more independent and work towards her goals of being a video editor. It would also allow Sady to learn in a least restrictive environment where she was around general education curriculum and more peers.

Resources:
Goodrich, E. History of Progress.

Rhodes, G. F. (2007, July 27). 25 Year History of the IDEA. Home. https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/idea/history.html.

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Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 

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Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 

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This law was huge for assistive technology. It was the first law that provided federal funding for AT services and training. This was a huge push because it was the first law that defined assistive technology devices and services, and guaranteed devices and services for people with disabilities. This law preceded the assistive tech act of 1998 which established a permanent assistive technology related program at the school campus instead of elsewhere.

This benefits individuals today because it created access to assistive technology devices and services. For example, Sady could have gone to a library to try out different devices that work best for her or she could have had assistance from a very well known and well trained specialist to help meet her technology needs.

Resources:
Federal Definitions of Assistive Technology. ECTA Center. (n.d.). https://ectacenter.org/topics/atech/definitions.asp.
Gell, A. D., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2016). 1- Introduction to Assistive Technology . In Assistive Technology in the Classroom- Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities (3rd ed.). essay, Pearson.

Goodrich, E. History of Progress.

Texas Assistive Technology Network led by Region IV Education Service Center ,Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.,  Texas Education Agency. (2004). Providing Assistive Technology: A Legal Perspective.  Texas Assistive Technology Network.

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This law required all public schools and all public entities to be accessible to people with disabilities. This law also required that students could not be denied access solely on the fact that they could not physically enter the building or ride the school bus. Students with disabilities had to have access to a beneficial program AND the school building. It also said that students had the right to reasonable accommodations.  This law started to allow and encourage assistive technology assistance for student needs.  This law also required that telephone and internet companies provide a nationwide system that allows individuals with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate on the telephone. It also required all federally funded PSA to have closed captioning. In my opinion this law started opening doors in the work and school settings.

This law benefited students with disabilities because they could not be denied access to a public school or work place. For example, it would allow people like Sady to have reasonable accommodations that she needs in the work place. If not for this law, Sady could still be denied access to a work place and possibly would have been unable to complete the extraordinary things she has accomplished today due to lack of access to opportunities. This law paved the way for people like Sady to have equal access to employment opportunities and benefits.

Resources:
An Overview of the Americans With Disabilities Act. ADA National Network. (2021, June 24). https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview.

Goodrich, E. History of Progress.

Texas Assistive Technology Network led by Region IV Education Service Center ,Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.,  Texas Education Agency. (2004). Providing Assistive Technology: A Legal Perspective.  Texas Assistive Technology Network.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990

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This law required that assistive technology devices and services be provided for students to use in the least restrictive environment. The schools were allocated federal funds for this however the funds were limited.  The Tech Act first defined the terms "assistive technology device" and "assistive technology service," in 1990, lawmakers added these definitions to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Sady would benefit from this because it would have allowed greater access to the LRE with the help of her AT device.

Resources:
Federal Laws and Regulations on Assistive Technology. ECTA Center. (n.d.). https://ectacenter.org/topics/atech/laws.asp#ada.

Goodrich, E. History of Progress.

Texas Assistive Technology Network led by Region IV Education Service Center ,Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.,  Texas Education Agency. (2004). Providing Assistive Technology: A Legal Perspective.  Texas Assistive Technology Network.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997

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This act was very beneficial for all students with disabilities because it changed the requirements of AT services. It was previously mentioned that assistive technology devices were typically only considered for students with severe disabilities, however it was reauthorized that assistive technology should be considered for all students receiving special education services. This allowed a greater number of students with a range of disabilities be considered for AT services. This act also saw the adoption of the Teach Act's definition of Assistive technology services and devices. Without this reauthorization, it could be assistive technology would still be limited to only a small number of students today.

This helps all students in current times have greater access to assistive technology.

Resources:
Gell, A. D., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2016). 1- Introduction to Assistive Technology . In Assistive Technology in the Classroom- Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities (3rd ed.). essay, Pearson.

Goodrich, E. History of Progress.

Texas Assistive Technology Network led by Region IV Education Service Center ,Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.,  Texas Education Agency. (2004). Providing Assistive Technology: A Legal Perspective.  Texas Assistive Technology Network.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004

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In 2004, IDEA changed the definition of assistive technology to excluded surgically implanted devices under AT definition. Under the reauthorization, assistive technology has been given priority funding. This is currently where we are today.

Students are benefiting from all the past laws by having access to a free appropriate public education, having access to use their assistive technology in the least restrictive environment, and they are in programs that are meeting their individual needs. Without the past laws, it is possible that students today would not have access to the same school building as their non-disabled peers. Sady is living out her dream job thanks to her passion, a little help from technology and the progression of seeing that people and students with disabilities have so much to offer and should be treated equally.

Resources:
Gell, A. D., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2016). 1- Introduction to Assistive Technology . In Assistive Technology in the Classroom- Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities (3rd ed.). essay, Pearson.

Goodrich, E. History of Progress.

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What could be included in future legislation to improve access to a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities?

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What could be included in future legislation to improve access to a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities?

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From personal experience, I think we need to implement more training for evaluation staff and more programs for students with disabilities. I think a state or federal mandated training program would be helpful as I see more students are not receiving services due to "not  qualifying" for services. It is really frustrating when you see these students slipping through the crack but you can do nothing about it since you are not part of the evaluation team. I also think it would be beneficial if we allocate more funds for specialized programs so we can give students greater technology, supports, and services both in school and at home.

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What are the barriers schools experience in implementing the current federal statutes affording students with disabilities equal access to public schools?

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What are the barriers schools experience in implementing the current federal statutes affording students with disabilities equal access to public schools?

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I think one of the biggest barriers is schools receiving the funds and allocating them correctly. In the article

"Special Education After 40 Years: What Lies Ahead?"

it states that special education funds are being used when RTI'ing a student. This is just one example of special education funds being used for something other that special education. While a student could be referred to special education after the evaluation and interventions are done, the evaluation and interventions should have separate funding. I think another issue is school districts actually implementing equal access. In my experience, there is a huge lack of collaborations between the student's teacher, program supervisors and administrators. Rather than working as a team to decide what is best for the student, it tends to lean towards one persons opinion which leads to a lack of equal opportunity. It could be as well that schools are not going out of their way to ensure the student have all the devices and services they need. This could be due to lack of funds or opportunities.

Resource:
Myrna, M. (2016). Special Education After 40 Years: What Lies Ahead? http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/policy-priorities/vol22/num01/Special-Education-After-40-Years@-What-Lies-Ahead%C2%A2.aspx.