Obtaining the best fit between assistive technology devices/services and students with disabilities can lead to improved independence, participation, and communication.  An assistive technology (AT) device is any item used to maintain or improve an individual’s functional capabilities.  An AT service is any service that helps an individual select, acquire, or learn to use an AT device.  Selecting the most appropriate AT device/service is a complex process requiring the participation of numerous team members working collaboratively to identify the strengths and needs of the AT user and matching those to the features of AT equipment.

     This module will describe feature matching, the process whereby the best fit between individual, environment, technology, and desired outcomes is determined.  Several resources, tools, and checklists will be provided including the SETT Framework and the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) AT Assessment Guide.  Case studies will be used as a means to implement the feature match process and evaluate the learner’s understanding of the process.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROFICIENCIES:

Teachers of Students with Exceptional Needs:  Intense Intervention

Standard #4:  Instructional Strategies

The educator of students with exceptional needs possesses a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies and knowledge of technology, and selects, adapts, and uses these strategies and technologies to promote positive learning results.

Performance #2:  The educator of students with exceptional needs selects and utilizes appropriate instructional strategies and assistive technologies to address the strengths and needs of learners.

Knowledge #3:  The educator of students with exceptional needs knows a variety of instructional strategies, accommodations, modifications, assistive technologies, and resources to support the unique needs of learners.

Standard #6:  Communication

The educator of students with exceptional needs understand typical and atypical language development and uses individualized strategies to enhance language development and teach communication skills.

Performance #3:  The educator of students with exceptional needs uses augmentative, alternative, and assistive technologies to support and enhance communication skills.

Knowledge #5:  The educator of students with exceptional needs is familiar with augmentative, alternative, and assistive technologies to support and enhance communication.

Standard #7:  Instructional Planning

The educator of students with exceptional needs understands that individualized planning is at the center of special education practice.

Performance #13:  The educator of students with exceptional needs selects and designs technology, materials, and resources to meet student needs.

Standard #8:  Assessment

The educator of students with exceptional needs is competent in selection, administering, and interpreting a variety of formal and informal assessment tools and utilizes this information to design, implement, and evaluate instruction and to guide students in self-assessment.

Performance #9:  The educator of students with exceptional needs assesses the use of technology, materials, and resources appropriate to the abilities, desires and anticipated outcomes of the individual.

Standard #10:  Collaboration

The educator of students with exceptional needs collaborates with families, colleagues, related service providers, and community members in culturally responsive ways to support students’ learning.

Performance #3:  The educator of students with exceptional needs collaborates with families to define expectations and establish goals and quality life outcomes.

INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES:

After completing the module, the learner will be able to: 

1. identify the steps in a comprehensive AT and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment process
2. list the critical members of an AT/AAC assessment team and describe their roles and responsibilities
3. define the feature matching process
4. list goals/outcomes that can be enhanced by AT
5. identify several AT/AAC devices and their corresponding features
6. match individual abilities and needs to AT/AAC device features

INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS:

     Read the narrative text of this module.  Specific websites and text references are included to assist you in completing the instructional evaluation activities.