Are schools required to pay for assistive technology devices and services?
It is the responsibility of the school district to provide for the equipment, services or programs identified in the IEP. The school district may pay for the equipment, service or programs itself; utilize other resources to provide or pay for the device; or utilize private insurance funds, Medicaid, or other sources of funds as long as the device or services identified in the IEP are provided at no cost to the parent. Private insurance or Medicaid may be used ony if the parent agrees. Can schools require the parents to pay for an assistive technology device or service identified in the student’s IEP or require the parents to use their own private health insurance to pay for the device or service? No. The “free” in FAPE means that parents of students with disabilities who require assistive technology devices or services do not have to pay for these items. As stated in IDEA and its regulations, all special education and related services identified in the student’s IEP must be provided “a
