WISD Assistive Technology
Washtenaw ISD offers comprehensive assistive technology (AT) services and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) education, services, and tools to students, parents, local districts, staff, and community agencies to ensure that every Washtenaw county student has equitable access to their classroom and curriculum.
These services include a lending library of assistive technology devices and software; workshops and training to build capacity; consultation to local district teams; development of innovative initiatives to provide access to the classroom and curriculum for all students; and links to local, regional, statewide, and national assistive technology resources.
What is AT?
The following definition of assistive technology (AT) comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA2004), Section 300.5:
“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. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such device.”
What is UDL?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning. These guidelines offer a set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.
AT Consultation
WISD's goal is to build the capacity of school teams to consider assistive technology (AT) by answering questions, providing information and technical support, and modeling best practices through the Assistive Technology Decision-Making Process (AT-DMP). Local teams can request help from WISD AT staff when considering assistive technology for a specific student or situation, or to request training for staff.
AT Training
Learn more about scheduled assistive technology training opportunities:
AT Resources
Learn more about assistive technology on your own:
About Assistive Technology (AT) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Assistive Technology and the Law
- What Is Assistive Technology Consideration?
- WISD Assistive Technology Decision-Making Process
- Assistive Technology Decision-Making Process Forms Repository
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Assistive Technology Handbook for Education Professionals
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Communication Bill of Rights
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) with the Core Language Immersion Program (CLIP)
- WISD AAC Team Website and Referral Form
Tips and Tutorials
- AT & AAC Newsletter
- AT & AAC Process Video Series
- Technology @ High Point (Tech at HP) Newsletter
- County-Wide AT/UDL Tidbits
- Making Accessible Word Documents
- Head Control for iPads (iOS 15.5+)
- How to Disinfect an iPad
Other Resources and Forms
WISD Online Catalog/ATAC Lab Lending Library
The Assistive Technology Alternative Communication (ATAC) Lab is a lending library that houses assistive technology (AT) resources and equipment, as well as various testing kits, that local teams can use for trial purposes. An account with the WISD Online Catalog gives faculty and staff within the Washtenaw Intermediate School District access to borrow assistive technology (AT) tools that support the Assistive Technology Decision-Making Process.
You can view available resources by going to the WISD Online Catalog, clicking on the “Catalog” tab in the upper-left corner, and typing keywords into the “Find” box.
Faculty and staff within the WISD may Request an WISD Online Catalog Account at any time. You will receive an email confirmation with a username and password giving you access to check out materials housed in the ATAC Lab via the WISD Online Catalog.
For more information, please review the WISD Online Catalog FAQs , the How To Check Out an Item instructions, or the How to Use the WISD Online Catalog video. Though there is no walk-in service available for the ATAC Lab, you may contact the ATAC Lab Technician at (734) 994-8100, ext. 1617, or email with any questions or concerns.
AT & AAC Decision Making Process Forms Repository
Below, you'll find a list of available Assistive Technology Decision-Making Process (ATDMP) forms. Please click the appropriate link to view or download the document (dependent on browser settings).
ATDMP Forms
Form 2: Problem Identification and Solution Generation
Form 3: Trial and Follow-Up Plan
Profile of Change Document (Word Template)
Word Document that contains the first four Process Forms (Word Template)
AT How-To/Tips Forms
Problem Identification and Solution Generation How-To
Trial and Follow-Up Plan How-To
AT Sample Forms
- Beginning the Process Samples
- Problem Identification and Solution Generation Samples
- Trial and Follow-Up Plan Samples
Note: Some embedded links in PDF files may not work in certain web browsers. If you find this is the case, please download the PDF to your computer and open in a PDF reader.