Last year, I realized that there was a fairly large list of AT services available for children with handwriting and written expression problems. I researched and found out about Co:Writer and Write:OutLoud. I raised a ruccus during my son’s IEP meeting and asked why he did not have training and access to these services. As it turned out, he did not have Co:Writer because he was able to read the Dana screen better. Dana does not support Co:Writer or Write:OutLoud. They had him try both of these software applications on a classroom computer which was in a room that he only had one class in. That class did not require much writing. If he wanted to use the software during another class, he had to go to the room with the computer. He liked Write:OutLoud because he could hear what he wrote - not what he thought he wrote.
I asked about getting a copy of this software for his computer at home. He uses his computer for every project, writing assignment, and the majority of homework assignments that require written answers. They said that it was considered home use, and they do not provide software for home use, just school use. So, I asked for a laptop. What a reaction! - Just what I expected. I received the what-are-you-thinking-lady!? look. So, here is my dilema. My son does not write for anything except school. Homework, projects, writing assignments, etc must be completed. It is an expectation for completing school work successfully. For him to complete this work to the best of his ability and to an appropriate level, he must use the word processor. Write:OutLoud would help him achieve this level with alot more independence.
How do I get the school to either give him a laptop that he can use so he can complete his school work and homework using this software OR get them to give him a copy for homework use since the majority of the major writing is done at home? Has anyone had any luck?
Re: School Use vs. Home Use - Where to draw the line?
You made my day. Thank you for the information. Now when I talk to the Assistive Technology assessor and my son’s case manager, I will have the information I need to get my son the accommodations he needs to have an appropriate education. I guess I will have to readdress this issue in my son’s IEP because he only has access to a Word Processor on his accommodations page.
Do you know if you can specify specific software/hardware needed as assistive technology? Or do you have to use general terms and hope they choose the program you want as with reading programs? I’ve searched a few sites and IEP examples are in general terms. For example, a word prediction program should be used.
Re: School Use vs. Home Use - Where to draw the line?
an excellent resource for questions like this is qiat.org - there is an email list wqith archives online.
But yea, if the appropriate education includes homework (and it does), and homework needs AT, then the AT needs to be available at home.
THe qiat list has discussions of how schools have worked out the assorted issues of sending things home (what happens if things break, etc) - so it could be worth perusing it and printing out some of them to help the school graduate to a legal service level. They may just find it’s not the end of the world - that you don’t skip town with their “major” investment, and no, sixty thousand students don’t line up and demand them for themselves.
Re: School Use vs. Home Use - Where to draw the line?
Dear Always,
It’s best to list the features of the technology that your child needs to have a FAPE. This way, if you move to a different school or district, they can match the features to the student and can use other programs or tools. There isn’t a lag time before implementation.
An assistive technology assessment would help to identify what your son will benefit from.
Great question!
First of all, it is possible to get word prediction for the Dana as any Palm program (of which there are over 10,000) can be used with the Dana. It will present differently from Co:Writer but there are a few $20 versions available. I’ll get back to you on the one that I’ve tried. Secondly, the Dana has Write:Outloud to go for the Dana. Check it out at http://www2.alphasmart.com/products/software/specialneeds.html
On to your question. If your child uses the technology as part of his IEP to complete school assignments and is unable to complete them without using the technology it becomes part of free and appropriate education which is the federal standard. Here is some information that I obtained from another site that may be of interest to you:
WHAT ABOUT USE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE HOME?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, if a child needs assistive technology for home use as part of their appropriate public education (e.g., for homework, reading books to supplement classroom instruction, etc.) as determined by the IEP team, the technology must be provided to implement the IEP.
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IS A PUBLIC AGENCY REQUIRED TO PERMIT A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY TO USE A SCHOOL-PURCHASED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE IN THE CHILD’S HOME OR IN ANOTHER SETTING?
Each child’s IEP team must consider the child’s need for assistive technology (AT) in the development of the child’s IEP (Sec. 300.346(a)(2)(v)); and the nature and extent of the AT devices and services to be provided to the child must be reflected in the child’s IEP (Sec. 300.346(c)). A public agency must permit a child to use school-purchased assistive technology devices at home or in other settings, if the IEP team determines that the child needs access to those devices in non-school settings in order to receive FAPE (to complete homework, for example). Any assistive technology devices that are necessary to ensure FAPE must be provided at no cost to the parents, and the parents cannot be charged for normal use, wear and tear. However, while ownership of the devices in these circumstances would remain with the public agency, State law, rather than Part B, generally would govern whether parents are liable for loss, theft, or damage due to negligence or misuse of publicly owned equipment used at home or in other settings in accordance with a child’s IEP.
(this information was from http://phpf-fountain.org/assistive_technology_details.htm if you want to check out the site. It is geared toward Florida parents but most of the information relates to all states.