1 What Is Assistive Technology? An Introduction to the Exciting World of AT Presented by Scott A. Dougherty IDEA Training & Consultation Coordinator, Assistive Technology Definitions AT SERVICES “Any services that directly assist in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.” AT DEVICE “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 individuals with disabilities.” (PL 100-407, Section 3, 1988)
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What Is Assistive Technology?An Introduction to theExciting World of AT
Presented by Scott A. DoughertyIDEA Training & Consultation Coordinator, Assistive Technology
DefinitionsAT SERVICES“Any services that directly assist in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.”
AT DEVICE“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 individuals with disabilities.”
(PL 100-407, Section 3, 1988)
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Assistive Technology Legislation• IDEIA 2004 (34 CFR Parts 300 and 301 )• Early Intervention Act (PL-99-336)• Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with
Disabilities Act of 1988 (PL-100-407)• Americans with Disabilities Act (PL-101-336)• Entitlement Legislation:
– Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PL-93-112, as amended)– Rehabilitation Act Amendments
Assistive Technology Assessment
is a flexible, collaborative decision-makingprocess in which teams of families,professionals, and friends repeatedly revisetheir decisions and reach consensus about theever-changing abilities, needs, andexpectations of the person with a disability.
(Adapted from S. Bagnato – Children’s Team Work)
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Types of Service Through AIU• Direct consultation
– Student assessments– Follow-up service– Case review with
IEP/IFSP staff– Information sharing– AT set-up– Implementation
guidance & support
• AT training– Individual– Team– Large-group– Mixed groupings
When Should AT Be Considered?• During the IEP/IFSP process• When a disability impacts the performance or potential of a
person in any of several areas:– Play– Accessing environments– Communication– Writing– Accessing print and auditory information
• When progress is flat or negative in direction• Upon team request• As early as possible• If someone is asking this question in the first place
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AT in the Written PlanWith the reauthorization of IDEA, Assistive
Technology MUST be considered in the IEP of learners with special needs
• AT is a not a goal in and of itself• AT is a tool that can be used to assist an individual to access
and achieve functional goals and objectives• Emphasis should be placed on the needs of the individual
and the features that are required, not on specific names of equipment
(J. Marquette, PennTech)
How Do Students Benefit?• Physical access
– Mobility– Computer use– Activities for Daily
Living (ADL)– Low vision alternatives– Hearing and listening– Handwriting &
keyboarding– Switch controls
• Communication assistance– Voice output devices– Speech to text/sign– Visual support tools
The AT Process at AIU• LEA Request• AT Consultation• Report• Trial (possible)• Implementation• Follow-up
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Multidisciplinary EvaluationSETT Framework
• Identify student needs• Determine environmental
demands and resources• Define the tasks that the
student must perform• Recommend tools,
technology, or techniques that will address needs
Collaborative Team ApproachIn the collaborative team approach, it is assumed that no one person or profession has an adequate knowledge base or sufficient expertise to execute all functions associated with providing services.
(S.W. Blackstone, 1992)
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Possible Team Members• Student• Parent/Primary Caregiver• Family Friends• Parent Advocate• Regular Education Teacher• Special Education Teacher• Paraprofessional• Administrator(s)• Occupational Therapist• Physical Therapist• Speech-Language Clinician
• AT Consultant• Teacher of Blind/Visually
Impaired• Teacher of Deaf/Hard of
Hearing• Psychologist• Social Worker/Case Manager• Wrap Around Services Rep• Rehabilitation Engineer• Vocational Counselor• Nursing Personnel
• Assessment should focus on features and strategies rather than on a specific device
• Matches abilities, needs, and expectations to AT features
Feature Match: Abilities, Needs and Expectations
• Daily needs• AT history• Individual & family
input• Cognition• Language• Sensory issues• Motor issues• Life transitions
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Equipment Trials• Team Consensus –
Equipment trials and timelines
• Emphasis on meaningful, motivating activities– Activities should reflect
key environments– Use should be
consistent
• Careful collection and review of data, outcomes, & recommendations
• Closure through team decision-making
Acquisition of Trial Equipment• District or IU inventory• PaTTAN Short Term
Loan• Device lending libraries
– PIAT– CIL– Organizations– Schools
• Low-tech and no-tech solutions
• Manufacturer lease or rental
• Purchase with a trial period agreement
• Purchase of less expensive items
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Ongoing Implementation• In-house equipment• Low-tech and no-tech
solutions• District purchase• Family purchase• Insurance/Medical
Access
Implementation Barriers• Assistive Technology as a goal• Device breakdown• Juggling too many issues• Juggling too many environments or tasks• Unrealistic expectations• Lack of team coordination• Short-term planning vs. Long-term objectives• Environmental factors• Standard equipment maintenance
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Implementation & Training• Develop training plan• Select target activities• Consider no, low, high tech• Develop back-up system• Physical management of equipment• Research and implement effective practices• Review training information• Participate in on-going trainings• Prepare for life transitions
Ongoing Re-evaluation• Current steps & future
goals for implementation• Measurement of student’s
performance• Degree of technology use• Effect of AT on
empowerment or advocacy• Improvements in AT
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Including AT in the IEP• Student’s AT needs should be documented
in the Evaluation Report (ER)• Current program modifications/specially
designed instruction should be documented in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
• Outcomes of the AT assessment should be discussed by the IEP Team and included when the IEP is reconvened