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Laws that affected Assistive Technology

Beard, L.A., Carpenter, L.B., & Johnson, L.B. (2010). Assistive technology: access for all students. Boston: Prentice Hall 1

Name of Act Contributions and Expectations Related to

The Technology-

Related

Assistance forIndividuals with

Disabilities Act of

1988

The Tech

Act of 1988

P.L. 100-407 Defined

Assistive technology (AT) service (directly assists an individual with a

disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an AT device) and AT device (any piece of equipment, product system, whether acquired

commercially, off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to

increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with

disabilities).

Expanded in 1994

Telecommunications Act of

1996

P.L. 104-104 Mandated that

schools and libraries have Internet access by 2000school and library technology be upgraded for equal access

(accessibility, usability, and compatibility and functionality) for

every user

Carl D. Perkins

Vocational and

Technical

Education Act of

1998

Perkins Act P.L. 101-392 Provided for students in high school and college to have up-to-date

technology to prepare them for career and technology education (CATE) to

be successful in information age.

First passed in

1984, expanded in

1998

Assistive

Technology Act

of 1998

Assistive

Technolog

y Act

P.L. 105-394 Provided monies for states (and other entities) to

help states with their AT programsresearch and incorporate Universal Design for Learning (UDL)provide AT for individuals with disabilities

Replaced Tech Act

of 1988

Assistive Technology Act of

2004

P.L. 108-364 Targeted monies specifically to individuals AT needs instead ofprograms

Mandated research-based spendingAssistive

Technology Act of

1988

Education for All

Handicapped

Children Act of

1975

EHA

Contains

FAPE,

IEP, IFSP

P.L. 94-142 Mandated that all students with disabilities were guaranteed FreeAppropriate Public Education (FAPE)

Created Individualized Education Programs (IEP) to describe specificeducational goals and services for each special needs students

Reauthorized in 1986 to P.L. 99-457 to include services for preschooland infants with Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP)

IDEA 1990

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Laws that affected Assistive Technology

Beard, L.A., Carpenter, L.B., & Johnson, L.B. (2010). Assistive technology: access for all students. Boston: Prentice Hall 2

Name of Act Contributions and Expectations Related to

Individuals with

Disabilities

Education Act of1990

IDEA P.L. 101-476 Created Individual Transition Plan to IEP, including AT resources

Included provisions for students with brain injuries and autism

IDEA 1997

Individuals with

Disabilities

Education Act of

1997

IDEA P.L. 105-17 Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS) to improve educationalservices for special needs students

District and state testing and curriculum requirements for students,which created more needs for AT to help special education student

achieve success in the general education classroom

Teacher become responsible for researching and implementing ATservices to ensure success for all students

IDEA 2004

Individuals withDisabilities

Education

Improvement Act

of 2004

IDEA P.L. 108-446Excluded surgical implants from schools responsibility as ATDefined Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and called for testing be

designed using UDL

Section 504 of the

Rehabilitation Act

of 1973

Section

504

P.L. 93-112 Guaranteed that all people with disabilities be given reasonable access in

society and in education

Foundation for

IDEA and

Americans with

Disabilities Act

(ADA)

Americans with

Disabilities Act of

1990

ADA PL 101-336 Required that

Individuals with disabilities not be discriminated against in employmentTelephone companies provide technology for people with speech and

hearing disabilities

No Child Left

Behind Act of 2001

NCLB PL 107-110 Increased accountability for schools to ensure that students with special

needs reach proficiency in general curriculum makes AT services more

important

Continuation of

Elementary and

Secondary

Education Act of

1965 (P.L. 89-10)