AT Assessment Frameworks and Tools

General

WATI (ASNAT - Assessing Students' Needs for Assistive Technology) - WATI provides a free downloadable version of the Assessing Student Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT) Manual that includes a variety of assessment forms.

SETT (Student, Environment, Tasks and Tools)- The SETT Framework is a four part model intended to promote collaborative decision-making in all phases of AT service design and delivery from consideration through implementation and evaluation of effectiveness. Link includes free downloadable forms.

Education Tech Points - Education Tech Points describe an integrated approach where assistive technology (AT) is considered at specific, intentional points within the existing IEP/IFSP process—rather than through a separate AT assessment process. Embedding AT considerations into referral, evaluation, planning, implementation, review, and transitions ensures that educational teams routinely and efficiently address technology needs within the child’s real learning environments.

HAAT (Human, Activity, Assistive Technology) - The HAAT model is based on a human performance model but is expanded to recognize that AT is an extrinsic enabler that enhances a person's abilities and also includes social and cultural aspects as well as environments and physical conditions such as temperature, noise and lighting. More information about the HAAT model can be found in Cook & Polgar's Assistive Technologies Principles and Practices. This book is available from the OCALI AT Lending Library.

QIAT (Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology) - The Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) provide a set of research based indicators that describe what high quality assistive technology consideration, assessment, implementation, and evaluation should look like across an educational system. QIAT is not an assessment tool for selecting specific devices; instead, it aligns with and supports assessment by evaluating the quality of the processes and practices teams use when making AT decisions.

Reading and Writing

PAR and uPAR (Protocol for Accommodations in Reading) - The PAR is a free downloadable version designed to help determine the most suitable reading accommodations for students. uPar is a universal screening tool that collects data about the benefits of text-to-speech software for reading comprehension.

DeCoste Writing Protocol - The DeCoste Writing Protocol is a commercially available formative assessment tool that helps educators identify factors affecting an individual student's ability to produce writing. The DeCoste Writing Protocol is available through the OCALI AT Lending Library to qualifying individuals.

Communication

Communication Matrix - The Communication Matrix helps families and professionals easily understand the communication status, progress and unique needs of anyone functioning at the early stages of communication or using forms of communication other than speaking or writing. New accounts come with 2 free assessment credits and additional credits area available for $5.00 each.

AACP (Augmentative & Alternative Communication Profile) - The AACP provides a structured framework for evaluating an individual's current level of communicative competence with existing AAC systems.

Test of Aided-Communication Symbol Performance (TASP) - Developed by Joan Bruno, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Ó 2010 the TASP helps assess symbolic skills quickly and easily by providing a starting point for designing and selecting appropriate AAC page sets. Available from the OCALI Lending Library.

KPR Scanning Wizard - The KPR Scanning Wizard is a free tool that helps people who utilize scanning as an access method for communication to configure their switch and scanning software to maximize communication rate.

DAGG-3 (Dynamic AAC Goals Grid) - The DAGG-3 is a free tool to help clinicians assess their clients’ communication abilities. It is designed to guide and track augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) goals.

AAC Evaluation Genie - This app is designed to be used as a clinical tool to help identify skill areas related to language representation systems commonly found in AAC devices. It is a framework for selecting appropriate AAC systems.

Accessible Educational Materials

AEM Navigator - Use the AEM Navigator to make informed decisions about the acquisition of accessible formats for students who need them.

Navigating Accessible Educational Materials (AEIM): Accessible Formats - Use the Navigating AEM: Accessible Formats ATIM module to learn about AEM and how to provide accessible formats so students with disabilities can access the curriculum alongside their peers. The module guides educators through a 4-step process to ensure timely access for students who rely on accessible formats and AT.

Measuring User Satisfaction

COPM - The COPM was designed by occupational therapists to detect a client's self-perception of occupational performance over time. Although not AT-specific it is commonly paired with AT use. The COPM is a commercially available product.

MPT and MATCH-ACES - The MPT (Matching Person & Technology) looks at how well an AT tool aligns with an individual’s abilities, needs, preferences, and psychosocial factors, rather than the technology alone. Its goal is to increase successful adoption and long‑term use of AT by addressing motivation, expectations, and environmental fit alongside functional requirements. MATCH-ACES (Matching Assistive Technology to Child-Augmentative Communication Evaluation Simplified Assessment Process) is an evidenced-based and student-centered process to determine the need and match of AT in the educational setting. Both of these tools are available free of charge.

PIADS (Psycholosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale) - The PIADS is a self-report questionnaire consisting of 26 questions related to the impact of AT device use on a person's functional independence, well-being, and overall quality of life. The forms and support materials can be downloaded from the PIADS website. PIADS materials are available free of charge.

Computer Access

Compass - The Compass software was developed by Heidi Koester. This assessment tool collects data in common areas of computer access such as switch use, pointing, scanning, and text entry. The software is available for Mac or PC. View the overview video for more information. A free trial is available.

Aim Online - Aim Online is a free browser-based tool; it is one component of the Compass software which helps assess a person’s ability to use a mouse or other pointing device to select targets on the screen. Data is provided for assessment purposes.