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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p>Bookshare Blog - Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM<o:p></o:p></p><h1>New Assistive Technology Guidance for Educators and Parents<o:p></o:p></h1><div><p class=MsoNormal><img width=1280 height=640 style='width:13.3333in;height:6.6666in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://blog.bookshare.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Blog-Young-student-using-tablet-and-headphones-with-mom-at-table.png"><o:p></o:p></p></div><p><em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Teachers and parents supporting children with disabilities</span></em> <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>can review a new comprehensive assistive technology guidance package from the Office of Special Education Programs.</span></em><o:p></o:p></p><h2>New Assistive Technology Guidance Package <o:p></o:p></h2><p>The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) recently released a comprehensive guidance package supporting children with disabilities who need assistive technology (AT) devices and services for meaningful access and engagement in education. The release is packaged in two parts: <o:p></o:p></p><h3>Dear Colleague Letter<o:p></o:p></h3><p>Read about the release of the guidance package in a joint <a href="https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/at-guidance" target="_blank">Dear Colleague Letter</a> on providing assistive technology devices and services for children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). <o:p></o:p></p><h3>AT Myths and Facts <o:p></o:p></h3><p>Read the guidance document dispelling common misconceptions regarding AT titled,<strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> </span></strong><a href="https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/at-guidance" target="_blank">Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><h2>Register for OSERS Webinar on February 14 <o:p></o:p></h2><p>Want to learn more about the AT guidance released by the U.S. Department of Education? Leaders from OSEP and the Office of Education Technology will participate in the discussion, highlighting resources for students with disabilities and the practitioners, teachers, parents, and caregivers who educate and support them. <o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Webinar:</span></strong> Boosting Student Success: Integrating Assistive Technology Across the Educational Life Span <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Date:</span></strong> February 14, 2024 <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Time:</span></strong> 12:30-1:30 p.m. Pacific Time/ 3:30-4:30 p.m. Eastern Time <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6417055261666/WN_ps5el7AtTzO03pa8PNugdQ#/registration" target="_blank">Register Now</a> <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p>OSEP’s Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) will offer additional resources and technical assistance on the AT guidance over the coming months. Visit the <a href="https://bit.ly/CITES-policy" target="_blank">CITES webpage</a> for more information. <o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://blog.bookshare.org/2024/02/new-assistive-technology-guidance-for-educators-and-parents/">https://blog.bookshare.org/2024/02/new-assistive-technology-guidance-for-educators-and-parents/</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <span style='color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>