Question+8-+Funding+Issues

.How do funding issues affect our decision making about AT?

Although funding is an issue if a device is written into the IEP then the student legally should have the device. Parents may want to check with their insurance for devices since most schools take devices back over the summer, and tend to shuffle their feet to get what the student needs. The student is legally required to have a free and appropriate education. Whatever they need to have an appropriate education should be provided for them. Of course the team should try out low cost devices to high scot devices. Training to use the devices should also be included in the cost. Although IEP teams may be unaware of funding, it is their responsibility to be aware. There may be federal funding, medical funding, or funding from a specific organization. The team may want to try different devices out from DATI or find a way to lease the device. There also may be a used version for sale. Although funding is a loop hole, the biggest obstacle is showing proof that the student needs the device through the school team, or medically with a referral from a physician, written evaluations from speech or occupational therapists, if it medically necessary and their personal information.

Like making any large purchase, IEP teams (including the oparents) must be savvy consumers. There are so many devices on the market, and so many that are just about to be released that careful matching is crucial. There is no point buying a preschooler a device that takes patience and training to use correctly. Likewise an academic student should have technology that will grow with him. Teams must be aware of the current technology and products and the specifications of each. Obviously this is a big job, so they must be able to retrieve that information when needed. The guidelines are stringent because administrators of funding have to be fair and standards must be followed. Not a job that I would like! This leads me back to DATI. It makes perfect sense to recirculate tools/devices that have been outgrown. I can see this especially in the case of young children who are growing, both physically and cognitively. Surely there are tools that are still in good shape. It's great that DATI helps with that.

Well, I know that originally when Marvin was speaking that I mentioned one of the things that would make accessing AT difficult was the funding. I have since learned that funding is no excuse to deny someone the right to AT b/c it would infringe on their right to a F.A.P.E. So, as we learned today in the presentation, there are many resources available to tap into for funding of an AT item. Places include IDEA, Medicare, Medicaid, DVR, ect. The important part would be to have someone that is qualified and versed in the appropriate language to write a letter requesting funds for the specific AT device. I think some schools may think twice before tackling this and as an alternative they may suggest alternative forms of AT that may be less expensive. AS someone mentioned in class today, it also takes time to apply for funding and the student would possibly have to wait so it may force the parents into putting the item under their insurance. But, the schools can not directly ask parents to pay for this equipment. A suggestion that was given from the powerpoint was that schools should go ahead and make the purchase for the student b/c they should not have to wait to receive the AT, and then they need to request reimbursement later. It seems as though there are funds out there available to obtain AT for students, but I think that schools need to be more trained and aware on how to go about obtaining those funds and using them in the most cost effective way to serve the needs of the students.