Back to the AT Basics: From High to Low to No Tech Tools

The purpose of assistive technology is to remove or reduce the effects of functional limitations. When discussing AT tools to meet the needs of individuals, often times conversations and determinations center on the most expensive, most complex, or most recent technologies. 

As stated in Visual Supports for People with Autism, "The use of high-tech devices and software to support individuals with disabilities is certainly not a silver bullet, and it is important to understand the specific needs and strengths of each individual before making any decisions. A good rule of thumb is “just because something is new, doesn’t mean it is the best choice.” While some individuals may benefit from the use of handheld computers or other mobile devices, others may benefit from more traditional, low-tech visual supports or a combination of the two."

A critical component of the AT process is the matching an individual’s strengths, needs, and preferences with the most appropriate software or hardware, referred to as Feature Matching. As shared in a latter post, a comprehensive feature matching assessment such as the SETT Framework (Student, Environment, Tasks, Tools) (Zabala, 2005) should explore both the needs of the individual along with how and where the tools will be used.

The determination between high tech and low tech options depends on the individual and their abilities. It is essential to remember one size does not fit all. Ultimately, the determination for the technology should be based upon and meet the needs of the individual, never that the individual's needs meet the requirement for the technologies. 

The chart below provides some examples of high to low to no tech adaptive solutions available to individuals in need of AT. If you are seeking a more comprehensive list of high to low tech tools, visit the Assistive Technology Continuum of Low to High Tech Tools list created by the Boston Public Schools' Access Technology Center (ATC). Additionally, Glenda's Assistive Technology blog offers tools sorted by specific disabilities. 

Sources: Visual Supports for People with Autism; Joy Zabala; Glenda's Assistive Technology Blog; Assistive Technology Continuum of Low to High Tech

Back to the AT Basics: The SETT Framework

What is the SETT Framework? 

The SETT Framework, developed by Joy Zabala, utilizes a systematic process to determine the appropriate technologies and tools for an individual with a disability.  As stated on Joy Zabala's webpage, "The 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. 


So why use the SETT framework? To answer, it simply ensures the individuals are receiving the tools that best meet their needs which can ultimately "level the playing field." 

The graphic from Understood.org posted below provides a visual explanation regarding the SETT Framework.

Additionally, visit the PrAACtical AAC website for their article "5 Things to Love About SETT Framework"! or see below for more direct links to information regarding the SETT Framework...

• SETT Scaffold for Consideration of AT Needs
• SETT Scaffold for Data Gathering
• SETT Scaffold for Implementation and Evaluation of Effectiveness Planning

Back to the AT Basics: A Review

While contemplating what articles or resources to feature this week, I felt it was important to take a step back to review the basics of what is assistive technology, the types/categories of technologies available, as well as some of the important steps to follow during the selection process. Whether you're new to the field of assistive technology or more seasoned, join me this week as we take a peek into each of these areas. Please feel free to comment below if you have any other information you feel should be included or would like to see more of. 

Looking for information to get started learning about assistive technology, visit some previous Where It's AT blog posts:

• Getting Started....What is Assistive Technology?
• Assistive Technology Checklist: What to Consider When Looking at AT
• Assistive Technology: What It Is and How It Works
• The QIAT Top 10
• Assistive Technology (AT) to Support Students with Special Needs
• 5 Low-Tech AT Options

Motivational Monday

Assistive Technology (AT) to Support Students with Special Needs

Heard of Assistive Technology (AT), but are unsure of what it's all about? New to the field and looking for more information? Or are you just learning to expand your knowledge? 

The following article written by Andrea Parrish for the Kennedy Krieger Institute highlights the most essential basics when delving into the world or assistive technology. Topics covered in the article include, but are not limited to...

• What is AT? 
• Legal Basis for AT
• How AT Has Evolved
• Benefits of AT for Students with Disabilities
• AT Decision-Making: How to Choose the Right Tool

To read the full article click here....

Looking for more information about assistive technology, visit some of my previous posts: 

• Getting Started....What is Assistive Technology?

• Assistive Technology Checklist: What to Consider When Looking at AT

• Assistive Technology: What It Is and How It Works

• The QIAT Top 10

The New Periodic Table of iPad Apps (Primary Aged)

Motivational Monday

QIAT-PS Introduction to the Student Self-Evaluation Matrix Webinar

Introduction to the Student 

Self-Evaluation Matrix Webinar

QIAT-PS is having a webinar introducing the new Student Self-Evaluation Matrix tool on September 19, 2017 at 4 - 5pm CST.

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology in Post-Secondary education is sponsored by Great Lakes ADA Center and is a collaborative effort of hundreds of professionals from a wide variety of higher education, K-12 schools and students.

The Student Self-Evaluation Matrix allows students to rate themselves on their AT skills. The tool is useful to both students struggling to manage AT and assists students in enhancing self-awareness and problem solving with AT for better transition outcomes.

The session will discuss the foundations of the QIAT-PS project, the research behind the Student Self-Evaluation Matrix, and using the tool in K-12 and Postsecondary environments.

About The Speakers:
Janet Peters is a project coordinator for the Great Lakes ADA Center and manages the QIAT-PS Project.
Gayl Bowser is an independent AT consultant and long term collaborator on the QIAT-PS Project.
Rachel Kruzel is the Assistive Technology and Accommodations Specialist at Augsburg University.

The session link is available on QIAT-PS site. There is no registration required, but if you require captioning please request it by September 12, 2017.

Winnie Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award Nomination

Winnie Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award

Nominate an educator who has been instrumental in helping students with print disabilities. Educators will win a paid

trip to Learning Ally’s Student Success and Achievement Summit, a cash award for them and a cash award for their school, plus other exciting prizes.

Parents, students, colleagues, and administrators are eligible to nominate educators. Educators should be teachers, administrators or leaders in Learning Ally member schools.

Source: Learning Ally

Image Source: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents/

Webinar Wednesday: Bookshare's Back to School Webinar

Bookshare is an invaluable resource that provides access to printed materials for people with print disabilities, including visual impairments, physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities.

Bookshare offers the world’s largest collection of accessible titles. As a result, people of all ages, as well as schools and many organizations around the globe can access the books they need for school, work, career advancement, skill development and the simple love of reading in formats that work for them. 

Click the link to read my post on Overcoming Print Disabilities with eBooks to learn more about Bookshare and other free resources available to those with print disabilities. 

Join the folks at Bookshare for an upcoming Back to School with Bookshare webinar  on September 14, at 2pm PST. The webinar will last approximately one hour. During this hour you will learn how easy it is to implement Bookshare in your classroom and get your students reading in just a few easy steps. If you're unable to attend, be sure to still register and Bookshare will send you a link to the recording.

An Epic! Giveaway

Calling all educators...

ENTER NOW

for a chance to

Win iPads for Every Student in Your Class!

Plus, get 6 months of unlimited reading at home with Epic!

(contest ends October 20, 2017)

If you don't already know about Epic!, you are missing out. I was introduced to Epic! by a colleague of mine and since then here has been no looking back. It is by far not only a preferred app by students, but by teachers and parents as well. 

Click here read my previous Friday "Appy" Hour blog post featuring Epic! to learn what it's is all about.

Motivational Monday

Webinar Wednesday: New Apps and Chrome Tools for the New School Year

Recently, Jamie Martin (@ATdyslexia), assistive technology consultant and trainer, presented the webinar "New Apps and Chrome Tools for the New School Year" hosted by Understood.org. The focus on the webinar was to discuss various assistive technology tools to get your students or children ready for the new school year.

If you weren't able to catch the webinar live, below you will find the recorded webinar. Also, be sure to visit Understood.org's site to learn more about what assistive technology is and the right assistive technology tools to support struggling learners. 

ISTE's Back to School Technology Guide

As teachers around the country welcome new students through their classroom doors, there is no time better than the present to begin thinking of how you can enhance past practices to create a more engaging learning environment for all learners. 

ISTE's Back to School Technology Guide provides manageable ideas to get your students learning with technology. Whether you want to personalize learning, gamify your classroom or help your students become better digital citizens, there are lesson ideas and educator-tested resources to help you get started.

Motivational Monday - Back to School

Here's to a school year filled with high expectations for all students...

Hurricane Harvey: USSAAC Stands Ready to Help

The United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) is an organization dedicated to supporting the needs and rights of people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). USSAAC is thinking of people with complex communication needs and their allies affected by Hurricane Harvey, and preparing its response. They have established a website (https://harveyaac.recovers.org/), designed to help people who use AAC and their family members in communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Individuals with complex communication needs, family members and professionals can request help that results in re-establishing someone's ability to communicate using AAC methods. Professionals, companies, and institutions can offer to donate or volunteer skills as well as tools and technologies by clicking on the buttons above. Information and offerings will be kept confidential and only shown to vetted organizations helping the AAC community. Organizations who join this effort can post their services, request resources, and access the databases of needs, donations, and volunteers.

Other resources or ways to support individuals affected by Hurricane Harvey are available on the USSAAC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ussaac1/.

Harvey is the kind of disaster whose effects, like those of Katrina, will last a long time. USSAAC stands ready to help, as we did in Hurricane Katrina and other disasters. Let them know how they can assist. Please visit https://harveyaac.recovers.org/ and take a look.

Updated Resources will also be made available on the USSAAC Emergency Preparedness Page.