How can schools in Maine use the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds?
Suggestions for Assistive Technology Investments
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will result in substantial funds available for services for students with disabilities. The funding is intended as a “one-time” investment and is expected to be used in a way that will not result in “unsustainable continuing commitment after the funds expire,” the so-called “cliff effect.”
We have made this information into a flyer which you may download and share with colleagues 
How can schools in Maine use these funds?
The following are suggested ways to take full advantage of ARRA:
Purchase Assistive Technology equipment, software, services and training
“Assistive technology increases students’ independent participation in home, school and community environments. Assistive technology has the potential to augment abilities and, bypass or compensate for barriers that disabilities create…For children with disabilities in public school classrooms, assistive technologies are their tools to extend their physical, social and communicative abilities. They also provide the means for academic and cooperative inclusion.” (AT Training Online Project)
Examples of AT for students include:
- Communications equipment and software (e.g., FM and amplification systems, Augmentative and alternative communication, etc.)
- Computer equipment to help students access information
- Software that helps students organize their thoughts or work
- Word prediction software
- Text-to-speech and speech-to-text software
- Captioning services, software and equipment for video/audio materials
ARRA funds may also be used fund student assessment and evaluation services, technical assistance, AT equipment swap and sharing systems, and equipment inventory systems.
More information about AT Equipment and Services
Purchase Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) and the equipment to use these materials
While schools will be able to acquire much of the AIM free of charge, there are often costs for conversion as well as the need to scan and convert locally developed instructional materials.
Suggested uses:
- Conversion costs for Accessible Instructional Materials
- Computer equipment and software to access and use AIM
- Scanning software and equipment to convert locally-produced materials into AIM
- Training of school staff and technical assistance on how to select, acquire and use AIM
Please see more information about Accessible Instructional Materials on the Maine AIM Project website
Provide opportunities for increased professional development in the use of AT and AIM in the classroom
Clearly one of the best ways to invest ARRA funds is by increasing the knowledge and competencies of professionals working in schools. In addition, increasing students’ and families’ awareness and knowledge of Assistive Technology and Accessible Instructional Materials will increase positive outcomes for those students. ARRA funds may be used to provide and advance continuing professional development for educators and families through direct (face-to-face) and indirect (distance learning) means. Funding may also be used for transportation and resources to free up staff and families to attend professional development.
Resources
For more information about Assistive Technology and Accessible Instructional Materials for Maine students, we invite you to visit our partners:
- Maine AIM Project
- ACTEM
- ALLTech
- Technical Exploration Center
- Pine Tree Society
- MLTI - educators
- UMF - AT Program
The following are resources about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Maine Department of Education - recovery website
This information brought to you as a service of Maine CITE Coordinating Center, a statewide program designed to help make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children and adults with disabilities.
www.mainecite.org
Phone: (207) 621- 3195
TTY: (207)621-3482