IU1 Assistive Technology

Empowering Students

Assistive Technology (AT) helps students with disabilities actively participate in the general education curriculum and achieve their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.

AT tools and services support students in essential learning tasks—such as communicating, reading, writing, and listening—that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Our Role in Supporting Districts

IU1 provides technical assistance to district teams to ensure effective selection and use of assistive technology.

Services include:

  • Consulting with IEP teams to explore potential AT needs
  • Assisting with trial, acquisition, and customization of AT devices
  • Supporting the integration of AT into instruction and therapies
  •  Offering training and technical assistance for educators and staff

The Assistive Technology Consultation Process

While the Local Education Agency (LEA) holds the responsibility for AT decisions, IU1’s Training and Consultation (TaC) staff provide support to guide school teams through the process.

Please note: IU1 TaC staff do not conduct student evaluations or provide direct services. Instead, they help teams gather and interpret data to make informed AT decisions.

How It Works

Step 1: Request a Consultation

All requests for AT consultation must be submitted by the district’s Special Education Director or other Administrator using the online form:

Request for Services: Assistive Technology Consultation

Step 2: Team Discussion & AT Action Plan Development

Once submitted, IU1 staff will coordinate a one-hour facilitated meeting—either online or in person—to discuss the student, environment, learning tasks, and available tools. This collaborative discussion is crucial for developing an Assistive Technology Action Plan tailored to the student's needs.

The AT Action Plan serves as a roadmap, detailing:

  • Specific AT tools or strategies to be implemented.
  • Roles and responsibilities of team members.
  • Implementation steps and timelines.
  • Monitoring and evaluation methods to assess effectiveness.

This plan ensures a structured approach to integrating assistive technology, facilitating consistent and effective use in the student's educational setting.

Required participants:

  • Special Education Director or Building Administrator
  • Special Education Teacher
  • General Education Teacher
  • Speech-Language Pathologist (if communication or language needs exist)

Note: Reports are not generated from this process. However, IU1 provides helpful templates for LEA team(s):

Step 3: Next-Level Support

Based on the team’s discussion and action plan development, the LEA may request further assistance from IU1, such as:

  • Implementation guidance for AT supports
  • Trials of devices or software
  • Team training and coaching
  • Classroom observation to refine the AT action plan

Assistive Technology Lending Library

The Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) Assistive Technology Lending Library is available to districts within Fayette, Washington, and Greene counties. Educators and staff can borrow assistive technology tools for trial periods, allowing for hands-on experience before making long-term decisions.

Important Note: Before initiating any trials with students, it is strongly recommended that the borrowers obtain prior approval from the Local Education Agency (LEA). This ensures that all trials are conducted in accordance with district policies and procedures.

How to Borrow:

  1. Create an Account: Visit the IU1 Lending Library portal at iu1lendinglibrary.myturn.com and select "Create An Account" to register.
  2. Browse Available Tools: Once logged in, explore the catalog of assistive technology devices available for loan.
  3. Submit a Request: Select the desired items and submit a loan request through the portal.

Delivery and Pickup: Arrangements for delivery or pickup of borrowed items will be coordinated directly with the district borrower to ensure timely and convenient access.

Contact Us

For more information on Assistive Technology, please contact:
Theresa Edenfield, M. Ed.
Training and Consultation
Intermediate Unit 1
724-938-3241 ext. 403
theresa.edenfield@iu1.org