Kristin Leslie, MAT, OTR/L

Assistive Technology Implementation

Special Education Technology Center

www.cwu.edu/~setc/Consultative Collaborations : Meet with

school teams via phone, video conferencing or on site to help determine appropriate technology to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Lending Library: Loan software, switches, switch accessible toys, augmentative communication devices, alternate keyboards and environmental control devices.

Staff Development: Provide webinars, as well as in-person tech assistance on educational software products. Provide classes on a wide range of AT topics.

Washington Administrative Code

AT Defined   Assistive technology device means 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 a student eligible for special education. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device.

  Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a student eligible for special education in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

Assistive Technology Service.

WAC 392-172A-01030 (1) The evaluation of the needs of a student, including a functional

evaluation of the student in the student's customary environment

(2) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by students eligible for special education;

(3) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;

(4) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;

(5) Training or technical assistance for a student eligible for special education or, if appropriate, that student's family; and

(6) Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that student.

Federal Laws Pertaining to Assistive Technology

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA )

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Low Incidence AT Implementation: Individual level

High Incidence AT Implementation: Building, School, and District level

Common AT Software Supports for Sped Students

Product Description

CoWriter, Word Q Word Prediction Software

Clicker 5/PixWriter Picture Supported Writing Software

WYNN / Kurzweil Optical Character Recognition/Electronic Study Aids

Read Out Loud Text To Speech

Dragon Naturally Speaking Speech to Text

Kidspirtation, Inspiration, Draft Builder

Graphic Organizers/Concept Mapping

Classroom Suite Switch Accessible Program for Academics

Tech Consideration Process

The IEP team must consider and document AT needs at every IEP.

ReferralDiscussion of issues - decide which AT to trialTrialDecisionPurchaseInstallation of softwareTraining of staff and studentImplementation PlanMaintenance and Updates

Where Does Ed Tech Fit into This Process?

What are the barriers?

Money

Time

Training

Follow Through

Installing,..

Barriers with Ed Tech Solutions

Where did the software go?

Networking Nightmares…

Downloading Dilemmas…

Decision Action Needed Staff to Complete

By Comments

CoWriter in all labs at the high school

PurchaseInstall

SPED ED Tech

Dec Work with AT person to ensure accessibility for all

Technology Training

Training for SPED teachers

AT Person Jan In the lab for hands on experience

Train para’sTrain Students

AT PersonAT Person

FebMar

Teaching Strategies

Use on a current assignment Download a Topic Dictionary from Don Johnston website

AT Person Ed Tech

April Gen or SPED teacher should be present

Require to use on weekly AssignmentsRequires weekly download of new Topic Dictionary from Don Johnston Website weekly.

Teacher

Ed Tech

Weekly

Weekly

Ed Tech – Sped Liaison

Facilitate communication between Ed Tech and Sped

Receive Sped tech installation requests and address in a timely manner

Manage Sped Software-inventory with the knowledge of the key function of that software.

Facilitate downloading from key sites to increase the effectiveness and capability of software supports.

"The secret of creativity is knowing how to hide your

sources."

Albert Einstein.