Definition of Assistive Technology

"…any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

Assistive Technology Continuum <----- is a banner from Judi Sweeney illustrating that technology ranges from low tech low cost to high tech and high cost.  (Onion Mountain Technology, Inc. )

http://www.onionmountaintech.com/assistive.php

WATI 

The Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) has been around for the past 16 years. Several WATI consultants created and piloted the resource manual

"Assessing Students Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT)".  It has been the guiding resource for the assessment of a student's need for assistive technology tools.

ASNAT Manual 5th Edition

The following areas are covered in the manual:

ASNAT Process;

AT for Seating, Positioning and Mobility

AT for Communication

AT for Computer Access 

AT for Writing, Including Motor Aspects

AT for Compostion of Written Material

AT for Reading

AT for Mathematics

AT for Organization

AT for Recreation and Leisure

AT for Activities for Daily Living 

AT for Blind / Low Vision

AT for Deaf / Hard of Hearing

AT for Multiple Challenges

Documenting AT in the IEP

Funding AT 

SETT Framework

"The SETT Framework is a four part model intended to promote collaborative decision-making in all phases of assistive technology service design and delivery from consideration through implementation and evaluation of effectiveness. 

SETT is an acronym for Student, Environments, Tasks, and Tools. Although the letters form a memorable word, they are not intended to imply an order, other than that the student, environments, and tasks should be fully explored before tools are considered or selected."  Joy Zabala

Follow the link above to take a closer look at what questions to ask when you are exploring the student, the environment, the task, and the tools.

****** Don Johnston recently had an article in their  BLOG that notes why following the SETT framework is important when selecting technology. It is worth the read and has a video in the article that illustrates its usefulness. Click on link below to view the article.

http://donjohnston.com/ipads-are-the-answer-but-what-was-the-question/

Return to FrontPage