School age children with disabilities who need assistive technology (AT) devices and services to benefit from their education may be entitled to it free of charge from their school districts. The type of AT that a student may need varies from simple and inexpensive (e.g., pencil grip) to more expensive devices (e.g., amplification system). Below are explanations of the federal laws that provide these benefits and how AT may be accessed through each of them.

*This page has been adapted from the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative fact sheet “Public Schools” available at www.dati.org. Please note that information provided herein has no effect of law or regulation, and in no way constitutes an official notification of benefits.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The IDEA is the primary mechanism by which students with disabilities acquire the AT they need to benefit from their education. Read more.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act defines an “individual with a disability” more broadly than the IDEA, and can sometimes help students receive services including AT who are not covered by the IDEA. Two provisions of the ADA offer additional protections for students in public schools. Read more.

Other Funding Options to Consider

Public and Private Medical Insurance

Some AT is considered both “medically necessary” and needed for a student’s education. In these cases there are advantages to pursuing funding through a family’s health insurance provider rather than the school district, but the device should still be listed on the student’s IEP. See Funding for Medically Necessary AT.

Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program

The MATLP gives people with disabilities and their families access to low-interest cash loans to buy the assistive technology devices they need. See Loan Information.