A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 319

Technology, Educational Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities

(CFDA No. 84.180)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part G, as amended, (20 U.S.C. 1461, 1462) (expires September 30, 1995).

Purpose: To support projects and centers for advancing the availability, quality, use, and effectiveness of technology, educational media, and materials in the education of children and youth with disabilities and the provision of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1987	$4,696,000 1/
1988	4,787,000
1989	4,730,000
1990	5,425,000
1991	5,593,000
1992	10,000,000
1993	10,862,000
1994	10,862,000

1/ The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, P.L. 99-457, created this new authority under which activities related to special education technology are funded. Previously, these activities were funded through the Media and Captioning Services program.

II. Program Information and Analysis

Population Targeting and Services

Grants are awarded to institutions of higher education, State and local education agencies, or other appropriate agencies or organizations, to assist the public and private sector to conduct research and development for improving the quality and use of technology, media, and materials for the education of persons with disabilities; to disseminate information on the availability and use of new technology, media, and materials for such persons; to design and adapt new technology, media, and materials that will improve the education of such persons; and to determine how technology, assistive technology, media and materials are being used most effectively, efficiently, and appropriately for the education of individuals with disabilities.

Program Administration

In FY 1993, a total of 20 new awards were made; of that number, one was a contract and 19 were grants.

Management Improvement Strategies

In FY 1993, a contract was awarded to promote, evaluate, and communicate the accomplishments for the technology, educational media, and materials program agenda. This contract will provide the evidence for how the program activities help to achieve the program targets. The program targets are as follows:

Enable the Learner Across Environments. The program will foster the creation of state-of-the-art instructional environments, both in and out of school. These environments will use technology, educational media, and materials to enable students with disabilities to access knowledge, develop skills and problem-solving strategies, and engage in educational experiences necessary for their success as adults who are fully included in our society.
Promote Effective Policy. The program will promote supportive policymaking at all levels in government, schools, and businesses. Such policies should ensure accessibility, availability, effective application, and consistent use of appropriate technology, media, and materials. The policies will recognize that these tools are essential to achieving better life-long outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Foster Use Through Professional Development. The program will encourage investigations of approaches and strategies for training and supporting teachers, administrators, parents, and related service personnel on the benefits of instructional and assistive technologies. This broad group of consumers needs to know what is available and how it can best be used for individuals with disabilities. Acting on such knowledge, they can increase productive use of instructional time; prepare students with disabilities for employment and citizenship; and promote their intellectual, ethical, cultural, and physical growth.
Create Innovative Tools. The program will encourage the development of varied and integrated technologies, media, and materials which open up and expand the lives of those with disabilities. This can be accomplished by individuals, corporations, or agencies dedicated to improving the educational, social, occupational, and cultural opportunities of all students. This work should enable individuals with disabilities to achieve the outcomes expected of all students--independence, productivity, and a quality of life that promotes equity in opportunity.

III. Sources of Information

Program files.

IV. Planned Studies

None.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operations:: Ellen Schiller, (202) 205-8123
Program Studies:: Barbara Vespucci, (202) 401-3630

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[Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities]

[National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)]