Factors to consider when deciding on AT 4

Home Circumstances

In ideal circumstances, assistive technology should be viewed as an aid to general living and not strictly confined to formal education. The need to read, write and communicate extends beyond school and the pupil's technology arrangements in school might be mirrored at home, where this is feasible. Having computer equipment at home also presents an opportunity for parents to become collaboratively involved in the education of the child. The practicalities of the school environment often place limitations on the use of equipment, and home may offer more flexibility.

Deciding on assistive technology options will, therefore, often involve consideration of the home circumstances, along with the home-school relationship. The following are some of the common questions that may arise:

• is there space in a suitable location in the home for a computer, desk and peripherals?
• are the parents computer literate, and can they assist the pupil?
• are there other, active, young children in the home - will the pupil have difficulty in 'minding' the computer and might this become a source of stress for the pupil?
• what are the home-school transport arrangements - is transporting a laptop and peripherals feasible?
• Who will be responsible for repairs if the computer is at home?

Depending on these circumstances, some options might include:

• the pupil just using the equipment at home for homework, rather than using it at school.
• bringing a laptop to and from school.
• having separate computers at school and home, and transporting work on a portable drive.
• using a basic laptop at school, and downloading the text to a computer at home for editing and printing.
• sending homework from the class computer to the home compute via e-mail.