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Improving Systems, Practices, and Outcomes

Federal Definitions of Assistive Technology

Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Acts

Tech Act (1988)

The Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Tech Act) first described an assistive technology device as "any item, piece of equipment, or 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."

The Tech Act described an assistive technology service as "any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device."

AT Act (2004)

The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (P.L. 100-407) increased access to, availability of, and funding for assistive technology for all individuals with disabilities, including very young children. The Act was amended in 1994 (P.L. 103-218). In 1998 Congress enacted the Assistive Technology Act (P.L. 105-394) and in 2004, the AT Act was amended. See the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-364).

More information is available at https://www.parentcenterhub.org/ata/

IDEA

IDEA uses definition nearly identical to the the Tech Act, adding an exception that excludes surgically implanted medical devices:

  1. In general — The term “assistive technology device” means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.
  2. Exception — The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device.

The term "assistive technology service" means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes—

  1. the evaluation of the needs of such child, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment;
  2. purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by such child;
  3. selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;
  4. coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
  5. training or technical assistance for such child, or, where appropriate, the family of such child; and
  6. training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of such child."

Under 34 CFR §300.34(b), "related services" do not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, the optimization of that device's functioning (for example, mapping), maintenance of that device, or the replacement of that device. For regulatory language related to the routine checking of hearing aids and the external components of surgically implanted medical devices, see 34 CFR §300.113.