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There is a school wide lack of interest in and willingness to use AT.
Symptom: There is a school wide lack of interest in and willingness to use AT.
Symptom Group: AT is underused
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: Past training may have covered too much and made the operation of the AT seem overwhelming.
- Lack of knowledge
- Non-supportive environment
Action: Talk with staff members to determine which tasks they are most concerned about, then plan and provide training that specifically addresses the use of tools to accomplish those tasks.
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: 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
Reason: Past training may not have been tailored to the teachers’ learning styles, thus failing to meet their needs for knowledge.
- Lack of knowledge
- Non-supportive environment
- Need for adminstrative support
Action: Talk with staff members to determine which tasks they are most concerned about, then plan and provide training that specifically addresses the use of tools to accomplish those tasks.
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: 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
Reason: Principal does not hold staff accountable to implement the use of AT.
Reason Group: Need for adminstrative support
No action info found
Reason: Someone may be talking negatively about AT and sabotaging its use.
Reason Group: Non-supportive environment
Action: If the principal is negative about AT use, meet with special education director to plan an intervention.
Resource: No specific resource is needed for this action.
Action: Meet with teachers/therapists that you know to try to understand what is happening.
Resource: No specific resource is needed for this action.
Action: Find out how the principal feels about AT use. Discuss importance of administrative support.
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: There may be a misconception that all AT is expensive and/or difficult to operate.
Reason Group: Non-supportive environment
Action: Demonstrate simple, effective AT use at staff meetings.
Resource: Free AT sources
Visit these online resources to find free AT:
www.onlineconferencingsystems.com/at.htm;
http://accessability.blogspot.com/2008/11/accessapps-offers-free-assistive.html;
http://atclassroom.blogspot.com/2008/02/freeware-to-support-at-and-educational.html
Type: website
Cost: 0
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
Action: Identify teachers/therapists who are interested in AT and support them to expand its use.
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: Recipes for Success
Recipes for Success is a manual from Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative with ideas that have worked in Wisconsin schools. Download from www.wati.org (go to "Supports" and then "Free publications").
Type: publication
Cost: 0
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