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Students with Disabilities: Assistive Technology Challenges and Resources in Selected School Districts and Schools. Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Education and Workforce, House of Representatives. GAO-26-107506

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Title: Students with Disabilities: Assistive Technology Challenges and Resources in Selected School Districts and Schools. Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Education and Workforce, House of Representatives. GAO-26-107506
Language: English
Authors: Jacqueline M. Nowicki, US Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Source: US Government Accountability Office. 2025.
Availability: US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 36
Publication Date: 2025
Intended Audience: Policymakers
Document Type: Reports - Research
Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, Assistive Technology, School Districts, Student Needs, Barriers, School Personnel, Training, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Government Role, Federal Government, Federal Aid, Educational Legislation, Equal Education, Federal Legislation
Geographic Terms: Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wyoming
Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Rehabilitation Act 1973 (Section 504)
Abstract: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that all children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education. Under IDEA, assistive technology must be considered for students receiving special education services. Little is known about how this requirement is implemented locally. GAO was asked to review how schools make decisions about providing assistive technology to students with disabilities. This report describes (1) the assistive technology selected school districts provide to students and the challenges they face doing so, and (2) strategies and resources selected school districts use to provide assistive technology to students and mitigate challenges. GAO visited four states--Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wyoming-- selected for variation in factors such as percentage of students with disabilities and presence of state-level assistive technology initiatives. GAO interviewed staff from state and regional education agencies, eight school districts, and eight schools. GAO selected districts for variation in factors such as urbanicity and assistive technology initiatives. In addition, GAO interviewed officials and reviewed documents from the U.S. Department of Education (Education), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and both departments' relevant technical assistance centers. GAO also conducted a web-based survey of all 93 Parent Centers--family technical assistance centers funded by Education--and received a response rate of 88 percent.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED680523
Database: ERIC
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  Data: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that all children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education. Under IDEA, assistive technology must be considered for students receiving special education services. Little is known about how this requirement is implemented locally. GAO was asked to review how schools make decisions about providing assistive technology to students with disabilities. This report describes (1) the assistive technology selected school districts provide to students and the challenges they face doing so, and (2) strategies and resources selected school districts use to provide assistive technology to students and mitigate challenges. GAO visited four states--Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wyoming-- selected for variation in factors such as percentage of students with disabilities and presence of state-level assistive technology initiatives. GAO interviewed staff from state and regional education agencies, eight school districts, and eight schools. GAO selected districts for variation in factors such as urbanicity and assistive technology initiatives. In addition, GAO interviewed officials and reviewed documents from the U.S. Department of Education (Education), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and both departments' relevant technical assistance centers. GAO also conducted a web-based survey of all 93 Parent Centers--family technical assistance centers funded by Education--and received a response rate of 88 percent.
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      – SubjectFull: Students with Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Assistive Technology
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      – SubjectFull: School Districts
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
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      – TitleFull: Students with Disabilities: Assistive Technology Challenges and Resources in Selected School Districts and Schools. Report to the Ranking Member, Committee on Education and Workforce, House of Representatives. GAO-26-107506
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