Early Intervention Program Guidance Document - Assistive Technology for the Early Intervention Program

Sep 19, 2026

Guidance document for New York State’s Early Intervention Program on assistive technology for eligible children with disabilities. Defines assistive technology devices (ATDs) and assistive technology services, clarifies exclusions such as surgically implanted medical devices and routine medical equipment, and outlines how AT needs are identified through multidisciplinary assessment and evaluation. Provides structured procedures for evaluations, device and service categories, written orders or recommendations, regional center services, purchasing, payment, and supporting attachments and forms.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Background and Purpose

Determining the Need for Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology Evaluations

Assistive Technology Devices

Assistive Technology Services

Written Order or Recommendation for Assistive Technology Devices

The IFSP and Assistive Technology

Surgically Implanted Assistive Devices

Obtaining Assistive Technology Devices

Services Available Through Regional TRAID Centers

Purchasing Assistive Technology Devices

Payment of Assistive Technology Devices

Attachments

Glossary and Common Abbreviations

Early Intervention Program Guidance Document Assistive Technology for the Early Intervention Program New York State Department of Health Bureau of Early Intervention Revised: September 2019 New York State Department of Health Early Intervention Program Assistive Technology for the Early Intervention Program Contents Background and Purpose .......................................................................................... 1 Determining the Need for Assistive Technology ........................................................ 2 Assistive Technology Evaluations .............................................................................. 5 Assistive Technology Devices ................................................................................... 5 Assistive Technology Services................................................................................... 6 Written Order or Recommendation for Assistive Technology Devices ....................... 7 The IFSP and Assistive Technology .......................................................................... 8 Surgically Implanted Assistive Devices .................................................................... 10 Obtaining Assistive Technology Devices ................................................................. 10 Services Available Through Regional TRAID Centers ............................................. 12 Purchasing Assistive Technology Devices ............................................................... 14 Payment of Assistive Technology devices ............................................................... 15 Attachments ............................................................................................................. 17 Attachment A: Examples of Assistive Technology Devices .......................................... 18 Attachment B: NYS Early Intervention Program Assistive Technology Medical Necessity Justification Form .............................................................................................. 21 Attachment C: Additional ATD Resources..................................................................... 25 Attachment D: Regional TRAID Centers ....................................................................... 27 Attachment E: Vendor Assignment Request Template ................................................. 28 Attachment F: Considerations prior to requesting the purchase of ATD through the Early Intervention Program......................................................................................... 31 Glossary and Common Abbreviations ...............................................................................32 Reissued Early Intervention Memorandum 99-1 To: Early Intervention Officials Interested Parties From: Bureau of Early Intervention Reissue Date: September 2019 Subject: Assistive Technology for the Early Intervention Program Background and Purpose This guidance document, formerly titled Assistive Technology, was first issued in February 1999. The document that follows has been updated, incorporating the current New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Early Intervention Program (EIP) regulations and policy guidance, as well as the Assistive Technology Device acquisition procedures established by NYSDOH in 2015. Current EIP regulations can be found on the Bureau of Early Intervention’s webpage at: [http://www.health.ny.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention/regulations.htm](http://www.health.ny.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention/regulations.htm). EIP regulations defines an assistive technology device (ATD) as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities. This does not include a medical device that is surgically impla

FAQs

What qualifies as an assistive technology device (ATD) in the Early Intervention Program?

An ATD is any item, equipment, or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of children with disabilities, including commercially available items that may be modified or customized.

What does not count as an ATD for the purposes of the program?

Medical devices that are surgically implanted (including a cochlear implant), and optimization (such as mapping), maintenance, or replacement of that device are excluded.

How can a need for an ATD be identified under the program guidance?

The need for an ATD can be identified as part of the initial multidisciplinary assessment (MDA) and the initial multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE), and in subsequent supplemental evaluations.

Sep 19, 2026

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