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)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Tips and Tutorials

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 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 1: Beginning the Process

Form 2: Problem Identification and Solution Generation

Form 3: Trial and Follow-Up Plan

Form 4: AT Notes

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

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.

ADA & Accessibility

Our School Strives To Ensure Our Website Is Accessible To All Our Visitors

Washtenaw ISD is committed to providing a website that is fully accessible and we are currently in the process of developing a new website to better meet the needs of our customers. Our new website will include improvements to ADA compliance and accessibility, and during this transition, we remain committed to maintaining our existing website's accessibility and usability.

ADA Compliance

Non Discrimination

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.

Non Discrimination Information

ADA and Title IX Coordinator	ADA and Title IX Coordinator
Brian Marcel Associate Superintendent 1819 S. Wagner Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (734) 994-8100 ext. 1402	Cassandra Harmon-Higgins Executive Director, HR & Legal Services 1819 S. Wagner Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (734) 994-8100 ext. 1311