Assistive Devices and Support in School

Personal assistance in school provides support during lessons, recess, transitions between classrooms, and in changing rooms.

Assistive devices can be educational, such as software, or physical, such as chairs, desks, screens, and mobility aids.

Often, assistance and assistive devices are provided as part of an individually adapted education plan (IOP).

Students in primary and lower secondary school.

Some children receive personal assistance as a healthcare service. This is different from having a personal assistant in a school setting.

Tilrettelegging for barn og elever med behov for ekstra støtte (Udir)
Individuell tilrettelegging (Udir)
Veileder for tilpasset opplæring og individuell tilrettelegging (Udir)
Tilrettelegging ved bruk av teknologi og digitale ressurser (Udir)

This is a legally mandated service. See in particular:
Opplæringslova § 11-4 og § 11-5.

Opplæringslova
Forvaltningsloven

The decision to provide a student with personal assistance or assistive devices is made through an administrative decision. Notify the school if you believe your child requires personal assistance to benefit adequately from their education.

Before the school makes a decision, you will be notified that your case is being processed, and you will have the opportunity to provide input. The school must gather all necessary information to make a decision, and you have the right to access the case documents.

The decision will include the school’s reasoning, how the decision was reached, and who was involved in the process. You will receive the decision in writing.

The school must process the case as soon as possible. If a decision cannot be made within one month, you will receive written notification explaining the delay and an estimated timeframe for when the decision will be made.

If you are dissatisfied with the decision, you can appeal within three weeks of receiving it. Explain what you disagree with and why you believe the decision should be changed. If you need guidance, you can contact the municipality.

If the municipality upholds its decision, the case will be forwarded to the County Governor, who will determine whether the appeal should be upheld.