Document Actions
Outside evaluator recommended AT, but no action has been taken.
Symptom: Outside evaluator recommended AT, but no action has been taken.
Symptom Group: AT is not present
Reason: AT use is not a priority.
Reason Group: Non-supportive environment
Action: Identify built in reinforcers in the environment for using AT with student.
Resource: No specific resource is needed for this action.
Action: Invite others to a meeting who might provide support or reinforcement for AT implementation.
Resource: No specific resource is needed for this action.
Reason: Administrator has not approved the purchase.
Reason Group: Need for adminstrative support
Action: Talk with administrator about repercussions of not providing AT that is in an IEP.
Resource: IDEA 2004
Refer to IDEA 2004 (http://idea.ed.gov or http://www.wrightslaw.com) or to state law and district policy and procedures
Type: website
Reason: Administrator has not demonstrated expectation that AT use must be implemented and supported.
Reason Group: Non-supportive environment
Action: Meet with supervisor to determine why he or she does not understand administrator's role.
Resource: A School Administrator's Desktop Guide to AT
For role of administrator, read: Bowser, G., & Reed, P. (2004). A School Administrator’s Desktop Guide to Assistive Technology. Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of CEC. www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $20
Reason: Change is difficult and takes time, perhaps teacher has not yet grasped the need for AT or the implications of it.
Reason Group: Lack of planning
Action: Discuss impact of change with teacher. Help him identify how this change could be personally meaningful for him (e.g. increased performance by student, less need for separate activities once student is competent with AT, etc.) Help teacher understand nat
Resource: Gordon's Ladder
Gordon’s Ladder suggests five steps that illustrate what is happening internally when teachers confront new territory, http://www2.visalia.k12.ca.us/technology/best/oct97.htm
Type: website
Cost: 0
Reason: No connection has been made between AT use and curriculum or school goals
- Lack of knowledge
- Lack of planning
- Need for adminstrative support
Action: Participate in meetings about general education initiatives such as Response To Intervention, Positive Behavioral Supports, textbook adoptions etc.
Resource: NATE Network AT Research Overview and Wiki
The National Assistive Technology in Education (NATE) has a section on their website devoted to AT research. Linked from it is a wiki about research that includes several summaries of AT research studies. www.nate.network.org/research
Type: website
Cost: 0
Resource: Project Access: Accessing Curriculum Content for Special Education Students
Project Access: Accessing Curriculum Content for Special Education Students Information about this project is available online at http://web.utk.edu/~access/whyAT.html.
Project Access was designed to help describe the ways that students with disabilities can gain access to their curriculum through the use of AT. It provides many models and examples.
Type: website
Cost: Online
Reason: Principal does not hold staff accountable to implement the use of AT.
Reason Group: Need for adminstrative support
No action info found
Reason: Staff does not buy into the importance of AT use.
Reason Group: Lack of common goal
Action: Meet with classroom team and administrator to discuss the student’s need for AT, use identified in IEP, how AT will be provided, need for compliance with law, etc.
Resource: Activities/Goals matrix
This simple form helps to organize and document how AT is used in the classroom. Available to download for free from The Regional Program for Students with Orthopedic Impairments, Douglas ESD, Roseburg, Oregon
http://www.rsoi.org/Documents/Activities%20Scheduling%20Matrix.pdf
Type: form
Cost: 0
Reason: Staff doesn’t know how to operate the AT
Reason Group: Lack of knowledge
Action: Arrange training for designated person(s) to learn needed skills
Resource: AT Trainers' Handbook
Reed, Kaplan, & Bowser, (2009) AT Trainer’s Handbook , NATE Network, Roseburg, OR, http://natenetwork.org
Available online or for purchase in hard copy at http://natenetwork.org
The ”Before the Training “Chapter offers ideas about ways to develop a specific training plan that will meet the needs of the audience. When AT implementaiton plans are implemented, this resource can help to identify the kinds of training that is needed by all those involved.
Type: publication
Cost: Free Online.
Resource: Online tutorial-commercial
Check Atomic Learning or other commercial sites to see if they have a tutorial on the tool: http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/assistivetechnology_tutorials
Type: website
Cost: 0
Resource: Online tutorial-free
Look for free tutorials such as the Tech Quick Guides at Montgomery County Public Schools
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/techquick_guides
Type: website
Cost: 0
Reason: Staff have not figured out how to integrate the use of AT during routine activities.
Reason Group: Lack of planning
Action: Meet with classroom team to identify critical times during each day that the student will use the AT.
Resource: Implementation Plan form
Implementation Plan form: This form helps teams to identify the roles and responsibilities of each team member in the implementation of a plan for a student's assistive technology use.
Type: form
Reason: Staff members do not understand their own roles and responsibilities in AT implementation.
Reason Group: Lack of planning
Action: Develop an action plan in writing with assigned staff responsibilities for the development of new activities related to IEP goals.
Resource: Implementation Plan form
Implementation Plan form: This form helps teams to identify the roles and responsibilities of each team member in the implementation of a plan for a student's assistive technology use.
Type: form
Resource: Charting My Course to Successful Transition
Type: form
Cost: free
Action: Discuss with teacher and aide the reasons for the AT and the expected outcomes for the student. Refer to IEP
Resource: AT as Positive Behavior Support
This example of a way to think about using assistive technology as part of the support strategies in a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program.
Type: form
Cost: free
Action: Provide training.
Resource: AT Vendors
A very readable, alphabetized list of AT vendors http://www.lburkhart.com/sr.htm ;
Type: website
Cost: 0
Resource: Online tutorial-commercial
Check Atomic Learning or other commercial sites to see if they have a tutorial on the tool: http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/assistivetechnology_tutorials
Type: website
Cost: 0
Resource: Online tutorial-free
Look for free tutorials such as the Tech Quick Guides at Montgomery County Public Schools
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/techquick_guides
Type: website
Cost: 0
Resource: Assistive Technology Training Online
http://www.atto.buffalo.eduThis website offers many training modules and resources for a wide variety of technology applications from adapted uses of Microsoft Word to instructions on how to complete an assistive technolgy assessment.
Type: website
Cost: $0
Action: Review AT Implementation Plan or develop a plan in writing with assigned staff responsibilities
Resource: Implementation Plan form
Implementation Plan form: This form helps teams to identify the roles and responsibilities of each team member in the implementation of a plan for a student's assistive technology use.
Type: form
Resource: Routines/Tools and Strategies form
Routine/Tools and Strategies Form: This form helps the team idenfiy the tools and strategies that will be needed for each part of a child's day.
Type: form
Cost: AT Help Desk
Action: Suggest that the staff meet to develop an action plan. If they cannot do that without help, meet with them and guide them through the development of an action plan.
No resource info found
Reason: Staff may not feel that AT is their responsibility.
Reason Group: Lack of common goal
Action: Share video or case study about another student with similar needs who is making greater progress because of AT use. Discuss the actions of people in the environment that make it an effective program.
Resource: Including Samuel
Dan Habib’s 58-minute documentary film Including Samuel examines the educational and social inclusion of youth with disabilities. The film is built on the efforts of Habib and his family to include Samuel, 7, in all facets of their lives. Including Samuel also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with teachers, parents and disability rights experts.
Type: website
Cost: $180
Reason: Staff may not have a process for appropriately considering and documenting need for AT.
Reason Group: Lack of planning
Action: Check with special education administrator to determine what training has been provided. If acceptable, provide training on consideration and documentation
Resource: AT Consideration Resource Guide
The AT Consideration Resource Guide from the Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT) can help provide an overview of the many types of tools that can be considered for students with disabilities. It is arranged by difficulty e.g. reading, writing, etc.
Choose AT Resources, then under Downloads, choose Assistive Technology Resource Guide. www.gpat.org
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Resource: AT Consideration module
The Texas AT network has developed a Module on AT Consideration that includes powerpoint slides, presenters's notes and handouts. http://www.texasat.net/default.aspx?name=trainmod.consideration
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Reason: Support staff are not required to implement AT use in their work with student.
Reason Group: Non-supportive environment
Action: Meet with supervisor to determine why he or she does not understand administrator's role.
Resource: A School Administrator's Desktop Guide to AT
For role of administrator, read: Bowser, G., & Reed, P. (2004). A School Administrator’s Desktop Guide to Assistive Technology. Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of CEC. www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $20
Reason: Support staff do not feel "required" to implement AT.
Reason Group: Lack of common goal
Action: Meet with supervisor to determine why he or she does not understand administrator's role.
Resource: A School Administrator's Desktop Guide to AT
For role of administrator, read: Bowser, G., & Reed, P. (2004). A School Administrator’s Desktop Guide to Assistive Technology. Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of CEC. www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $20
Action: Meet to discuss the need for a common goal. Include administrator to emphasize his or her expectations.
Resource: Management, Supervision and program improvement: AT leadership roles for school administrators
Management,Supervision and Program Improvement
Click on the link above to download this article about
AT leadership roles for school administrators. Published in (2004) in Closing the Gap Newsletter. Also available from www.closingthegap.com
Type: publication
Cost: unknown
Reason: Support staff do not know how to use the AT in the context of their work.
Reason Group: Lack of knowledge
Action: Meet and discuss specific activities in which AT could be used.
Resource: Classroom Procedure Plan form
Classroom Procedure Plan Form: This form was created to help classroom staff understand a student's levels of participation during a daily routine and the tools and supports the student will need in order to participate in that routine.
Type: form
Reason: Support staff do not see a relationship between AT and their goals for the student.
Reason Group: Lack of common goal
Action: Include support staff in AT planning so that a common goal that everyone agrees to can be identified.
Resource: AT Implementation: Working together to make a measurable difference
Training module developed by the Texas Assistive Technology Network. Free download that includes powerpoint slides, speaker's notes and handouts. http://www.texasat.net
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Reason: Teacher does not believe the student needs or can use AT.
Reason Group: Lack of common goal
Action: Meet with teacher to share research on effectiveness of AT and reasons it was provided. Show work samples from last year.
Resource: NATE Network AT Research Overview and Wiki
The National Assistive Technology in Education (NATE) has a section on their website devoted to AT research. Linked from it is a wiki about research that includes several summaries of AT research studies. www.nate.network.org/research
Type: website
Cost: 0
Resource: Handbook of Special Education Technology Research and Practice
Edyburn, D., Higgins, K., & Boon, R. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of Special Education Technology Research and Practice. Whitefish Bay, WI: Knowledge by Design, Inc. Order from www.knowledge-by-design.com
Type: publication
Cost: $119
Resource: Journal of Special Educational Technology
This peer reviewed journal publishes nearly 40% of the AT research that is published each year. Subscribe at www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $68 per year
Resource: What have we learned lately
Dave Edyburn periodically reviews AT research and posts information on his website. www.uwm.edu/~edyburn/what.html
Type: website
Cost: 0
Reason: Teacher does not have access to information about the law.
Reason Group: Lack of information
Action: Meet with teacher to explain law, leave concise, understandable explanation with him/her, then wait a short time and return to see if any thing has changed.
Resource: AT Consideration Quick Wheel
An easy to use and easy to understand overview of AT arranged by the difficulties it addresses. Available from: www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $7.95
Resource: IDEA 2004
Refer to IDEA 2004 (http://idea.ed.gov or http://www.wrightslaw.com) or to state law and district policy and procedures
Type: website
Reason: Teacher does not understand the need for daily use in meaningful activities.
Reason Group: Lack of information
Action: Arrange meeting with classroom team to discuss roles and responsibilities, explain critical need for daily use in meaningful activities
Resource: ATOMS Project Technical Report
Factors in Assistive Technology Device Abandonment: Replacing "Abandonment" with "Discontinuance"
http://www.r2d2.uwm.edu/atoms/archive/technicalreports/tr-discontinuance.html
Type: website
Reason: Teacher has requested software installation, but IT staff have not responded.
- Lack of information
- Non-supportive environment
Action: Meet with principal to discuss legal implications and his/her role in remedying the situation. If this fails, bring special education director into subsequent meeting.
Resource: Technology Integration: Improving Access to the Curriculum for Student with Disabilities
: Warger, C. (Ed.). (2005). Technology Integration: Improving Access to the Curriculum for Students with Disabilities. Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of CEC This manual addresses several areas including integrating technology into mathematics and content area literacy instruction. Available to purchase from www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $20
Resource: Providing AT: A Legal Perspective
This training module from Texas Assistive Technology Network: Providing Assistive Technology: A Legal Perspective includes powerpoint slides, presenter notes and handouts. It can be downloaded for free from: http://www.texasat.net/default.aspx?name=trainmod.legal
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Resource: IDEA 2004
Refer to IDEA 2004 (http://idea.ed.gov or http://www.wrightslaw.com) or to state law and district policy and procedures
Type: website
Reason: Teacher hasn't made AT part of classroom procedures.
Reason Group: Lack of planning
Action: Help teacher figure out how to make the AT use part of the classroom procedures (e.g. how students get ready to work, this student gets out Fusion).
Resource: AT Implementation: Working together to make a measurable difference
Training module developed by the Texas Assistive Technology Network. Free download that includes powerpoint slides, speaker's notes and handouts. http://www.texasat.net
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Resource: Activities/Goals matrix
This simple form helps to organize and document how AT is used in the classroom. Available to download for free from The Regional Program for Students with Orthopedic Impairments, Douglas ESD, Roseburg, Oregon
http://www.rsoi.org/Documents/Activities%20Scheduling%20Matrix.pdf
Type: form
Cost: 0
Resource: Classroom Procedure Plan form
Classroom Procedure Plan Form: This form was created to help classroom staff understand a student's levels of participation during a daily routine and the tools and supports the student will need in order to participate in that routine.
Type: form
Resource: Creating a Climate for Learning: AT and Classroom Management
Bowser, G., & Chenail, C., (2006). Creating a Climate
for Learning: Assistive Technology and Classroom Management, Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of CEC. www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: ?
Resource: Designing Environments for Successful Kids
Designing Environments for Successful Kids can be downloaded from WI Assistive Tech Initiative, www.wati.org (go to “Supports” then “Free publications”)
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Resource: How Do You Know It? How Can You Show It?
This easy to understand manul on how to plan for and collect data about AT use is available to purchase in a bound manual or download for free as a pdf file from www.wati.org. It is found under "Supports"
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Resource: Participation Plan form
Coming soon.
Type: form
Cost: 0
Resource: Routines/Tools and Strategies form
Routine/Tools and Strategies Form: This form helps the team idenfiy the tools and strategies that will be needed for each part of a child's day.
Type: form
Cost: AT Help Desk
Resource: Technology Integration: Improving Access to the Curriculum for Student with Disabilities
: Warger, C. (Ed.). (2005). Technology Integration: Improving Access to the Curriculum for Students with Disabilities. Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of CEC This manual addresses several areas including integrating technology into mathematics and content area literacy instruction. Available to purchase from www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $20
Reason: Teacher may not "see" connection between AT use and curriculum goals.
Reason Group: Lack of information
Action: Ask questions about school goals, help teacher reach “ah ha” about how AT use relates to them.
Resource: ISTE Technology Standards for Students
The national technology standards for students.
www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=NETS
Type: website
Reason: The agency has not provided guidance about AT use to staff members.
Reason Group: Inadequate resources
Action: Provide Assistive Technology Guidelines to all staff members to develop a clearer understanding of each person’s role.
Resource: Assistive Technology Model Operating Guidelines
Assistive Technology Model Operating Guidelines: A manual developed by the advisory committee of the Oregon Technology Access Program. It offers suggestions for ways that district-level procedures and operating guidelines might be developed for a school district. It includes wording for inclusion in a district's special education procedures as well as sample forms and processes for use by individual IEP teams.
This manual is in the public domain and copies may be made. Click on the title to download the PDF file
Type: publication
Cost: $0
Reason: There is a pattern of non-use of AT.
Reason Group: Lack of common goal
Action: Meet with principal to discuss legal implications and his/her role in remedying the situation. If this fails, bring special education director into subsequent meeting.
Resource: Technology Integration: Improving Access to the Curriculum for Student with Disabilities
: Warger, C. (Ed.). (2005). Technology Integration: Improving Access to the Curriculum for Students with Disabilities. Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of CEC This manual addresses several areas including integrating technology into mathematics and content area literacy instruction. Available to purchase from www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $20
Resource: Providing AT: A Legal Perspective
This training module from Texas Assistive Technology Network: Providing Assistive Technology: A Legal Perspective includes powerpoint slides, presenter notes and handouts. It can be downloaded for free from: http://www.texasat.net/default.aspx?name=trainmod.legal
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Resource: IDEA 2004
Refer to IDEA 2004 (http://idea.ed.gov or http://www.wrightslaw.com) or to state law and district policy and procedures
Type: website
Reason: Administrator and staff may not understand the recommendations.
Reason Group: Lack of information
Action: Provide information on the specific recommendations and agency responsibility to address the evaluation
Resource: AT Consideration Resource Guide
The AT Consideration Resource Guide from the Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT) can help provide an overview of the many types of tools that can be considered for students with disabilities. It is arranged by difficulty e.g. reading, writing, etc.
Choose AT Resources, then under Downloads, choose Assistive Technology Resource Guide. www.gpat.org
Type: publication
Cost: 0
Resource: IDEA 2004
Refer to IDEA 2004 (http://idea.ed.gov or http://www.wrightslaw.com) or to state law and district policy and procedures
Type: website