Sandra Oaxaca, Valley High School student, was one of 40 people worldwide to win this new communication aid from Prentke Romich Company (PRC) - an honor worth $7,500.

Aztec Complex
2611 Eubank Blvd NE 87112
Phone: 505-298-6752 for Technicians and Therapists
Phone: 505-855-9953 for secretary at City Center

The Roles of the Assistive Technology Team:

1. Assesses assistive technology needs for APS special education students on a referral basis.
2. Provides assistive technology equipment on a loan basis to students identified as having a need per guidelines of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
3. Designs and constructs postural equipment and workspaces for appropriate use of AT devices and systems.
4. Provides staff training and support to schools utilizing loaned equipment.
5. Provides follow-up for students with ongoing/evolving assistive technology needs.
6. Provides training and technical assistance to schools regarding technology for special needs students.

The Definition of Assistive Technology Equipment by APS:

Assistive Technology equipment is defined as those items designed and developed for individual students in order to meet oral and written communication needs and for students to benefit from their education program.

Items considered to be examples of assistive technology include augmentative communication devices, devices to assist with written communication (specialized computer software, braillers, etc.), and adaptive furniture to allow the student to receive instruction in class. This equipment requires evaluation of the individual student's needs.

Assistive technology equipment is differentiated from program equipment. Program equipment is defined as those items needed by teachers, therapists and education assistants to deliver instructional services to students and/or is designed for multiple students within a school or program. Examples of program equipment include therapy equipment, hoyer lifts, standers (not customized for a student), potty-chairs, ramps, instructional computers and educational software. Program equipment does not require an assessment of an individual's needs nor does it increase or maintain the functional capabilities of an individual student. Assistive technology equipment maintains or improves the functional capabilities of a student, is specialized or customized, and follows the student. Note that computers may be either assistive technology equipment or program equipment. A classroom computer designed for instruction is program equipment. A computer that enables a child with a handicap to write is assistive technology and moves with the child. The Assistive Technology Team does not evaluate, provide, or recommend educational software for children. APS Learning Technology Services is responsible for providing resources to the schools concerning educational software and training. The help desk telephone number, for hardware and software, is 830-8080.

APS also differentiates equipment that is considered standard technology tools from specialized technology tools. Standard technology is equipment that is already found in classrooms (such as spell checkers, Alphasmart portable keyboards, or desktop computers with standard software), has application for a wide range of students, and requires little if no “specialized” training or expertise. Standard technology tools for students need to be funded via school technology and/or cluster funds. A laptop is considered standard technology if the software that will be used with it also is standard software, such as Microsoft Word, Appleworks, or Write Outloud word processing software. If specialized or individual software is necessary for the student, such as word prediction or voice recognition software, then the computer (or means of access for the student) can be provided for by the Department of Assistive Technology.

Gwen Sanchez - Coordinator
Ext. 3415    sanchez_gw@aps.edu

Francine Shed - Secretary
Ext.            shed_fr@aps.edu

Rye Bailey - Visually Impaired Specialist
Ext. 3339     bailey_r@aps.edu

Kevin Caffrey - Speech Language Pathologist
Ext. 3353    caffrey_k@aps.edu

Miguel Lucero - Computer Technician
Ext. 3359    lucero_me@aps.edu

Jennifer Maestas - C-Print Captionist
Ext. 3332    maestas_je@aps.edu

Paul McCarter - Fabrication Technician
Ext. 3357    mccarter@aps.edu

Christine Mesa - C-Print Captionist
Ext. 3332    mesa@aps.edu

Annette O’Connor - Speech Language Pathologist
Ext. 3354    oconnor@aps.edu

Tim Petre - Resource Teacher
Ext. 3353    petre_t@aps.edu

Thor Spangler - Occupational Therapist
Ext. 3461    spangler@aps.edu

Desiree Stone - Speech Language Pathologist
Ext. 3356    stone_d@aps.edu

Steve Swenerton - Occupational Therapist
Ext. 3355    swenerton_s@aps.edu

Malia Vigil - Speech Language Pathologist
Ext. 3356     vigil_m@aps.edu

Caleb Wheeler - Fabrication Technician
Ext. 3357    wheeler_ca@aps.edu

Description of Assistive Technology Process

Assistive Technology Consideration of Need

Assistive Technology Funding Considerations

Assistive Technology Referral Form

MAPE Request for Adaptive/Standing/Mobility/Positioning Equipment

MAPE Standing Features Student Match Form

BACK TO TOP