What is Assistive Technology AT

1
What is Assistive Technology (AT)?

• Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether
  acquired commercially, modified, or customized,
  that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or
  improve functional capabilities of individuals
  with disabilities.
• -Section 508 Definition

2
Various Types of AT

• Tens of Thousands of AT devices exist
• Low Tech (Pencil Grips 25 cents)
• High Tech (Augmentative Communication Systems -
  2,500)

3
Various Types of AT

• Communication (Augmentative)
• Daily Living (Large Grip Utensils)
• Mobility (Canes, Walkers, Wheelchairs)
• Environmental (ECUs, Touch Screens)
• Education (Kurzweil, JAWS, Dragon)
• Recreation (Braille Playing Cards, Wheelchair
  Basketball)

4
Create Independence With AT

• User should learn how to use AT in environment
  where AT will be used
• User must be comfortable with AT and not stand
  out or look different (as best as possible)
• User should understand their needs (this ties in
  with Self-Advocacy)
• Independence created with AT can be used at home,
  in school, and at work

5
Things Are Getting Better

• More students with disabilities are completing
  high school (79)
• NLTS -2 reports 32 attending post-secondary
  which is still below average for all students
• In Wisconsin, (06/07) 45 enter post-secondary
  education
• 27 attend a technical college (06/07)
• Heres the challenge
• 55.3 did not consider self to have a disability
• 8 considered self to have disability but didnt
  inform school
• This dynamic may negatively affect AT use and
  potential success as a result of integrating AT
  into life.

6
Self-Advocacy

• Self-advocacy skills are viewed as important by
  high school and post secondary
• Self-advocacy skills are not taught extensively
  at the high school level
• Self advocacy skills are not taught at the post
  secondary level
• Students are reluctant to use self advocacy
  strategies

7
College serves as a bridge to many things

• Huge shift from high school to college even
  bigger from college to world of work
• Shift from becoming independent to being
  independent
• Even harder for students with print
  disabilities/physical disabilities
• Greater impact
• Greater need for technology
• Use of technology is critical for success

8
Self-Advocacy Tools

• Understanding ones own disability
• Knowledge of individual rights under the law.
• Understands accommodations needed
• Effective communication skills

9
Setting the table for successself-advocacy

• Little self advocacy work at high school
• Little use of technology
• Not incorporated into self-concept of student
• AT is seen as an option, but not a necessity
• As a result, SWD are under-prepared and lack the
  independence needed for the rigors of college

10
What happens at MATC?

• Students begin to
• Start to redefine themselves
• Become better advocates
• Understand barriers and incorporate solutions.
• Shift from laws to learning
• Increase of self-awareness I need to work
  differently
• Increase in emotional intelligence
• USING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY EMPOWERS SWD AND
  BUILDS SELF ADVOCACY SKILLS

11
Transformational change

• Students usually measure themselves by their
  barriers, not strengths.
• Disability service providers confront this
  negative, false appraisal and start to change a
  students thinking by action/experience.
• In essence, it is a rehab/counseling tool that
  challenges a students thinking/doing and
  facilitates a change in self-concept.
• AT use helps students create an internal locus of
  control, which changes the way they explain
  success to themselves.

12
Moving to the world of work

• Need to have AT solutions in place before
  starting the job search.
• Need to use AT to complete the job search
  process read memos, complete interview
  components-writing sample, etc.
• What drives this process?
• Consistent use of AT in college or other job
  preparation experiences
• Success with AT in these experiences

13
Positive Effects of using AT

• Move away from isolation ( I read differently, I
  am dumber than everyone, no way I could take that
  class, read that book, no-one wants to work with
  me, why would they be my partner) to
• Integration-being able to use Blackboard, read on
  the Internet, use Facebook, read and participate
  in class, be prepared for class play games,
  listen to music
• For the first time, SWD may feel they can fit in!

14
Case Study

• What are student needs?
• AT Assessment through DVR
• Try equipment at MATC first
• Justify to DVR why it is needed (Use in school
  and how it carries over to the workplace)
• DVR Purchase Equipment