Setting up and managing assistive technology

Learn about the requirements for your school when you are setting up and managing a student’s assistive technology.

Level of compliance Main audience Other

Required

  • Teachers and Kaiako
  • Specialist Staff
  • Principals and Tumuaki
  • Parents, Caregivers and Whānau
  • Boards
  • Administrators

Allocation of assistive technology

We provide schools with assistive technology based on the applications. Assistive technology is allocated to the named student to meet their identified learning needs.

Your school may be allocated assistive technology directly from us or funded to purchase assistive technology as per the approved application.

In making the application, your schools agrees to:

  • order and pay for the assistive technology approved using the quote from the application (if necessary)
  • take ownership of the assistive technology for the time that the student is enrolled in the school
  • list the technology on the school’s asset register so that it's covered by the school's insurance (please refer to Loss, repairs and maintenance of equipment to find out about our continued support in case of theft, loss or damage)
  • support the implementation and ongoing use of the technology within the school programme including the implementation of the agreed training plan if applicable.
  • contact your local Ministry office for advice if the item needs extensive repair, maintenance or replacement
  • maintain a record of the serial numbers and asset numbers or other descriptions of the approved technology along with supplier details and warranty conditions
  • provide proof of purchase send a copy of the invoice and serial numbers to the Ministry for their records.

Loss, repairs and maintenance of equipment

Getting set up

The first steps in getting the assistive technology set up are to:

  • label the technology with equipment ID stickers provided by the Ministry
  • organise for appropriate school software, including antivirus software if necessary, to be loaded onto the technology and for the technology to be linked to the school’s networks (if needed)
  • file items related to the assistive technology maintenance and use securely (for example, original software, account IDs and passwords, manuals, or accessories).

Software for schools

Responsibility for the technology

The ongoing responsibilities of the teachers and kaiako are to:

  • ensure that the technology is used for the intended purpose by the student it is allocated to
  • review allocated assistive technology regularly and at each transition for the student.

Using assistive technology

The student will use the assistive technology to access their learning curriculum. The teacher designs learning tasks and facilitates the appropriate use of assistive technology to support learning. They may be supported by resource teachers or specialists.

Online training and supplier resources may also be available to support effective use and implementation of the equipment.

Management plan

A management plan details how the assistive technology is looked after, stored, maintained, carried around and whether it can be taken home by the student (with the principal’s permission).

You can develop your own management plan or use our management plan template.

Monitor and review

The school team needs to review allocated assistive technology regularly and at each transition for the student. They will:

  • complete a review of the assistive technology and return the review form either within 6 months of the student's first use of the technology or at the next scheduled individual education plan meeting
  • continue to review the technology on a regular basis to make sure it continues to meet the student’s learning needs
  • notify the local assistive technology coordinator when the named student transfers to another school or leaves school and ensure that the assistive technology transfers to the new school with the student, or is returned to the Ministry of Education. Please complete and return the transfer form to the Ministry of Education at that time.

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