Questions and Answers | Appendix A to Part 300 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Question 36. 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?
Answer. Each child's IEP team must consider the child's need for assistive technology (AT) in the development of the child's IEP (§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 (§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 nonschool 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.
Additional Resources
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Online
Special Education Rules and Regulations Side-by-Side Document
Back to Assistive Technology
Division of Federal and State Education Policy
1701 North Congress Avenue | Austin, Texas 78701-1494
Telephone: 512.463.9414 | 512.463.9560
Email: sped@tea.state.tx.us