IDEA and ARRA Stimulus Funds Resources
Rifton’s adaptive equipment is a perfect match with the intended uses of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds.
On March 7, 2009 the Department of Education released their guidelines for how stimulus funds might be used, and topping their list of suggested uses specifically for IDEA Part B Recovery Funds was to “obtain state-of-the-art assistive technology devices and provide training in their use to enhance access to the general curriculum for students with disabilities.” (Assistive technology, according to Public Law 100-407, is “an item or piece of equipment … used to increase, maintain or improve functional capability for an individual with disabilities.”)
The Department of Education goes on to caution that any purchases made with stimulus funds must be a short-term investment that has the potential for long-term benefits. They don’t want the monies spent on on-going programs that create funding dependencies—what they call the “funding cliff.” Thus the federal government clearly sees investing in assistive technology as an infrastructure investment that has long-term benefits. Buying Rifton Equipment now represents a purchase that will enhance your classroom for many years.
Want to learn more about the ARRA stimulus funds?
Here’s a collection of links to help.
From the Department of Education:
Definition of Assistive Technology
IDEA Fact Sheet: From the Department of Education, the primary source of information on how stimulus funds should be used for children and youth with disabilities.
State Allocation Tables: Find out how much your state will receive for education programs under ARRA
From the New America Foundation:
Federal Education Budget Project: FEBP is a non-partisan, authoritative source of information on federal education funding for the public. Of interest is a link to see your school district's estimated allocations for Title I, Part A, and IDEA funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
From the Council for Exceptional Children:
CEC's Questions & Answers on ARRA
CEC's Summary Chart of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009
