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Overview

After the individualized education program (IEP) team has completed the process of assistive technology (AT) consideration and determined that AT supports are necessary, the team then must assess the student's needs and abilities to find the most effective AT solution. This module provides the foundational information required to begin the process of AT assessment in the school environment. This includes the composition of different types of AT teams, guiding documents and frameworks, feature-matching, equipment trials and recommendations, AT implementation and transition planning.

Estimated Time to Complete: 1 1/2 hours

  • What's Included
  • 28 pages
  • Pre/post-assessments
  • Optional $15 certficate
  1. Define the purpose of AT assessment.
  2. Describe the process of AT assessment.
  3. Describe the role of the AT team and identify possible team members.
  4. Identify resources for the identification and selection of AT options from a continuum of options.

Module Authors

Angela M. Harris, M.S.

Angela M. Harris works as a special education district coordinator for Emporia Public Schools. Prior to joining Emporia Public Schools, she worked as a consulting teacher for Topeka Public Schools, as a worksite coordinator for Three Lakes Special Education Cooperative, and as a 5th-8th grade special education teacher in the West Franklin school district. She received her master's degree in adaptive special education from Emporia State University.

Module Contributors

Jan Rogers, MS, OTR/L, ATP

Jan Rogers is currently an AT and AEM consultant having retired as the Program Director of the OCALI AT&AEM Center in 2023. She is an occupational therapist and is also a RESNA certified ATP who has worked in a variety of agencies serving the needs of individuals with disabilities. She has taught assistive technology courses at Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, and Ashland University. She is a published author of peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters on the topic of assistive technology. Additionally, she has been a frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences on the topic of assistive technology.

Heather J. Bridgman M.S., ATP

Heather Bridgman is a rehabilitation engineer and has worked in both the medical and educational environments. Her specialties include computer access, augmentative communication, universal design for learning and online learning. She presents regionally and nationally on these topics. Heather has earned a master's degree in systems engineering as well as a teaching license in the area of high school mathematics. She is currently employed with the OCALI AT&AEM Center as an Assistive Technology Consultant. Bridgman is certified as a RESNA Assistive Technology Professional, teaches AT courses at Ashland University and is a co-author of the book "Show Me: A Teacher's Guide to Video Modeling".

Modules on this site are always free. If you would like proof of completion, you can purchase a certificate when you have successfully completed this module. The certificate will provide contact hours for this module.

Graduate credit for courses is available through OCALI's partnership with Ashland University. Access information about course options and semester dates in the Search.

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