Assistive technology in IDEA can refer to devices or services. An assistive technology device is defined as “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 functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (20 U.S.C. 1401(1)). The term can also be used to only describe digital technology (e.g., tablet, computer, smartphone) used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of an individual with a disability.

Assistive technology is different from educational technology. The terms educational technology and instructional technology are often used interchangeably in K-12 settings. Instructional technology is a strategy for using different forms of technology to aid instruction and learning (Kauffman, et al., 2011). According to Seels and Richey (1994), “Instructional technology is the theory and practice of design, development, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning” (p. 9).

How is the Need for AT Determined?

Considerations for assistive technology utilize the SETT Framework. The SETT Framework is a flexible tool that helps to match the accessibility options to the needs and abilities of an individual. Within the framework the following areas are explored:

Student

Environment

Tasks

Tools

Specific to transition planning, the team should consider what skills and needs can be addressed across transition goal areas within ENVIRONMENT in the SETT Framework:

- Post Secondary Education and Training

- Employment

- Independent Living

Other considerations to explore:

- needs, preferences, and abilities of the student

- most efficient and effective tool for engaging in specific tasks

- tools available versus need to explore new tools

- student report of tools/features they like the best

- helping understand reasonable accommodations

- building self-advocacy skills

Often, teaching students skills to understand and request available accommodations on state assessments is a great place to start building self-advocacy skills.

Have you connected with Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)?

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is a statewide, non-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians acquire the assistive technology devices and services they want.

Check out their resources page!

Where can I learn more?

- Contact local intermediate unit TAC or regional PaTTAN office

- AT for Independence and Learning

- Take a look at the Assistive Technology Planning Checklist developed by the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (2001).

- PACER Center

- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Assistive Technology

- Georgia Department of Education Transition Planning and Assistive Technology

- WATI Student Resource Guide on Transition

Check them out on PaTTANPod to learn more about their work!

Access Funding to Help Families in Your Community During Emergencies

The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is offering $5,000 grants to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to access information that will educate, prepare and decrease the negative impact of emergency situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

You may be wondering if you or your organization is eligible to apply….

The answer is YES!!! Anyone is eligible to apply as long as the information is specifically designed to benefit individuals with developmental disabilities and includes individuals with disabilities in the planning and implementation of the project. This could include non-profit organizations, for profit organizations, disability organizations, or counties, just to name a few.

What types of projects are eligible?

The sky is the limit when it comes to ideas about how to deliver your information. You could host a webinar series, have a live face to face conference or create training videos. You could develop materials to hand out, like postcards, flip charts or create plain language documents for individuals with disabilities to use as a resource. What is important to remember is content. All projects funded through this effort must be in direct relation to responding to an emergency situation. They must serve the purpose of providing resources or education. And they must be developed and implemented with the assistance of individuals with disabilities.

What types of projects have already been funded?

So far Council has funded 19 projects. Topics have included:

• Transition to Employment in the midst of a pandemic
• Development of a Self-Advocacy training to say what you want and need during an emergency
• Subscriptions to a disability bookshelf for parents with school aged children providing education at home
• Accessibility in the classroom for virtual learning
• Producing informational videos for self-advocates to address trauma
• Offering access to support animals to address isolation, loneliness, and trauma
• Disaster preparedness packets
• Staying fit and healthy when stuck at home
• Socialization, leisure, and enrichment classes during periods of isolation; and
• Focus groups to evaluate accessibility software to increase on-line accessibility.

Tools for Your Toolbox!

Where do I go to learn more and apply:

The instructions as well as the application can be found at the PADDC website, https://www.paddc.org/grant-funding-opportunities/available-projectsgrants/community-response-project/

The Community Response Projects are supported in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council, through grant number 2001PASCDD-02, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

Topics:

December 2 - Self Awareness 2

December 9 - Leadership Skills Session

December 16 - Self Awareness 3

Youth Development Trainings on Self Awareness are offered from 12:00 - 1:00 pm on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/95790302310 on the following dates:

December 3

December 17

For questions or to request accommodations contact info@pealcenter.org

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!