Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the team that develops an individual education program (IEP) for a child must consider whether the child requires assistive technology devices and services in order to access Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). IDEA defines assistive technology 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 a child with a disability and any services that directly assist a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistance technology device. This includes:

• The evaluation of the needs of such child, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment;
• Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by such child;
• Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices;
• Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
• Training or technical assistance for such child, or where appropriate, the family of such child; and
• 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