Resources for Student Success
To ensure all learners have the tools and supports they need to thrive, the Eaton RESA Related Services staff provides comprehensive resources for families, local district teams, and the educators who support them.
Whether you are a family member looking to better understand communication tools, or a school team seeking collaborative resources for mobility, sensory support, or social-emotional health, our dedicated team is here to partner with you. Explore the focus areas below to connect with the information, tools, and resources needed to empower every student.
We offer targeted guidance and resources across a variety of specialized areas, including:
- Autism & Neurodiversity
- Communication (including Augmentative & Alternative Communication - AAC)
- Inclusive Technologies (Assistive Technology, Accessible Educational Materials, & Accessible Technology)
- Sensory Needs & Motor Skills
- Social-Emotional
- Vision & Hearing
Autism & Neurodiversity Resources
Eaton RESA has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) teacher consultants who work with families, students, and staff within the local districts. The Autism Consultants are available to provide support and services, including collaboration, observation, and assistance based on student needs.
Statewide Autism Research and Training (START)
National Clearinghouse for Autism Research
Free On-line Training for Families and Professionals
Communication Resources (including Augmentative & Alternative Communication - AAC)
Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than spoken word) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. When looking at AAC to augment spoken word, we are looking at supporting language growth, communication breakdown repair, and increasing communication modalities. At Eaton RESA, our AAC consultant supports teams working with students who need support with communication. This can include training, coaching, selecting, implementing devices and other support specific to communication.
Parent Resources:
Inclusive Technologies (Assistive Technology, Accessible Educational Materials, & Accessible Technology)
Assistive Technology
Assistive technologies are designed to address specific barriers learners with disabilities may face when they interact with their materials. Examples of assistive technology include text-to-speech, screen readers and speech recognition. Assistive technology services assist learners with disabilities in selecting, acquiring and using the assistive technologies that are the best match for them (aem.cast.org).
Assistive Technology is one of several items on a “special factors” checklist in IDEA which requires that Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams consider the need for AT at least annually for every student with an IEP. AT devices and services determined necessary by the IEP team are to be provided for student use/benefit at no cost to the family, to support a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
Laws Supporting the Consideration and Provision of Assistive Technology
IDEA Sec. 300/105 Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Consideration Resources
Assistive Technology Consideration Flowchart (MI AT Leaders)
AT Consideration Flowchart Talking Points 2025
SETT (Student, Environment, Tasks, & Tools) Framework Information
Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
Accessible educational materials (AEM) are print- and technology-based educational materials, including printed and electronic textbooks and related core materials that are designed or enhanced in a way that makes them usable across the widest range of learner variability, regardless of format (e.g., print, digital, graphic, audio, video) (aem.cast.org).
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM Center)
Accessible Technologies
Accessible technologies are the hardware devices and software that provide learners with access to the content in accessible digital materials. These technologies are designed to be flexible and provide supports that benefit everyone - they are universally designed (aem.cast.org).
Hearing Resources
Deaf/Hard of Hearing refers to students with a hearing loss of any degree. Students with an educationally significant hearing loss (which is determined by an IEP team) may qualify for Special Education services from a Teacher Consultant/Specialist for the D/HH. A TC-D/HH provides many services, which may include: collaboration with IEP team members, Audiology clinics, and ENT's, consultation with professional staff, students, and families of students with hearing loss; direct service therapy to address Self Advocacy needs, educational support, and hearing aid technology/FM support. At ERESA, our Teacher Specialists for the D/HH are here to serve you and your students!
