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InfoUse, in collaboration with the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), is conducting an Assistive Technology Act Data Collection Project for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Our 4-year project designed and implemented a Web-based performance reporting system for the Assistive Technology Act state grants program. This system was designed to meet the information needs of the Assistive Technology Act grantees, NIDRR, and Congress, and to fulfill the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). The project is also conducting evaluation studies, described in more detail under Activities & Resources. We are creating a Chartbook on Assistive Technology that presents national estimates on the need for and use of assistive technology. The project is producing statistical estimates, by state, on the need for and use of assistive technology. The project is studying "model approaches" to capacity building systems that provide assistive technology training to professionals and individuals with disabilities. Research on employment-related assistive technology is also underway.

"The Assistive Technology Blog The Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at VCU's Assistive Technology Blog is for Assistive Technology providers across Superintendent's Regions 1 & 8. Do you have a question you would like to see answered in the assistive technology blog? EMAIL US and someone on the Assistive Technology team here will post an answer as quickly as we can! "

"Boundless Assistive Technology proudly offers the world's best Assistive Technology products, service, and support. With over 30 years of combined industry experience our goal is to provide you with the best Assistive Technology buying experience." We function not only as a point of supply for Assistive Technology but as a full system integrator as well. Many of our clients order complete systems and other bundled solutions which are fully configured, tested, and shipped ready to go. As with anything ordered from us online, over the phone, or here at our offices, the purchase comes with lifetime product support. You can contact us as long as you own the product with questions, configuration advice, technical support, or any other feedback or request you have.

This is an AT on-line store I was not aware of. offering bundles, like an iPad2 with Proloquo2Go already installed.

Assistive Technology The term assistive technology encompasses a broad range of devices from "low tech" (e.g., pencil grips, splints, paper stabilizers) to "high tech" (e.g., computers, voice synthesizers, braille readers). These devices include the entire range of supportive tools and equipment from adapted spoons to wheelchairs and computer systems for environmental control. Assistive technology certainly includes computers, but it also refers to a number of other types of accommodations and adaptations which enable individuals with disabilities to function more independently. Computers are an important type of assistive technology because they open up so many exciting possibilities for writing, speaking, finding information, or controlling an individual's environment. But computers are not the only avenues to solving problems through technology. There are many low tech (and low cost) solutions for problems that disabilities pose. Examples of inexpensive, low tech solutions include wrist splints, clip boards for holding papers steady, or velcro tabs to keep positioning pads in place.

"e initiatives include professional development, information dissemination and technical assistance. View the Minnesota Assistive Technology Manual.  Sign up for the AT listserv. Educators must consider assistive technology for all children with an Individualize Education Program  and provide assistive technology for students who require it. Assistive technology can be as simple as a pencil grip or as complex as a voice-activated computer."

Assistive Technology (The Simon Technology Center) The Simon Technology Center helps children and adults with disabilities and their families use assistive technology to improve their lives. The Simon Technology center believes that technology allows children and adults with disabilities to keep pace with a rapidly changing world by providing opportunities for communication, education, recreation, employment, and independence.

Texas Assistive Technology Network (TATN) is working to ensure that students with disabilities receive assistive technology devices and services when needed to benefit from a free, appropriate public education. The TATN consists of representatives from each of the Texas Education Services Centers, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Region 4 Education Service Center (Region 4) in Houston, TX provides statewide leadership for the network. Through a comprehensive planning process, the TATN has developed a framework for statewide collaboration. Priorities in professional development and technical assistance focus on providing training, products and services that: build district capacity in assistive technology knowledge and skills promote strategies for building the literacy skills of all students, and are aligned with statewide literacy initiatives.

Why? * To increase participation and achievement for ALL students including those with significant disabilities * To position ALL students to take advantage of emerging educational technologies in inclusive learning environments. What? * The integration of interactive white boards (SMART Boards), SMART Solutions (e.g., SMART Table, SMART Document Camera, SMART Sync) and other mainstream technology (IPADS/IPODS, Nintendo DSi) with assistive technology for use during whole and small group instruction in all educational settings. The key is including ALL students using a Universal Design for Learning Toolkit (technology, traditional teaching methods,pedagogy) in their current educational setting to ensure meaningful academic and social participation. How? * By using SMART Boards and other mainstream technology as well as assistive technology to facilitate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI) so that learning environments, opportunities and activities are accessible by diverse groups of learners. Understanding how the Participation Model can extend UDL and DI so that the learning and participation of students with the most significant learning challenges are increased and enhanced.

"The use of Participatory Action Research (PAR) during the project ensures that TATE SIP is informed by stakeholder input throughout the development and evaluation phases. Outcome measures will include evaluation of device use (device skill acquisition), device usability (skills used in targeted environments), functional performance (activities of daily living affected by device use), quality of life (subjective well-being) and social participation (community integration). To ensure the TATE SIP reaches its intended audiences-survivors of TBI and the individuals who will train them to use ATC-we are working with a national group of researchers, practitioners, consumers, and advocacy organizations to support recruitment and dissemination activities. Presentation Training Assistive Technology Post-ABI Project Updates Training Assistive Technology in the Environment (TATE) Project Update 02/28/2012 Project Update 04/11/2011 Project Update 07/09/2012 Project Update 08/26/2011 Project Update 10/24/2012 Project Update 11/05/2012 Projects Access to Services Transition Web Problem Solving Strategies Oregon Traumatic Brain Injury Educational Consulting Team Building Capacity STEP TBI Web-Based Family Support Training Assistive Technology in the Environment (TATE) News & Events Cory's Corner: A Personal Perspective The seventh issue of Cory's Corner explores the dynamics of ... May 2013 TBI Team Training Effective Tools and Strategies for Behavior Management when a Student ... "

rehabtool.com is an information technology company that develops and markets innovative hardware and software integrated into solutions to assist individuals with disabilities and special needs. We also offer many free unique services including: * a personalized Product Search & Referral service to help you choose appropriate assistive technology solutions and locate product vendors. * a quarterly Newsletter to keep abreast of assistive technology developments. * access to our AT Links Library, a comprehensive collection of links to the largest assistive technology catalogs, databases and vendor directories in North America.

"The Assistive Technology Oral History Project is an archive of pioneers in the field of assistive technology (technology for individuals with disabilities). It includes the histories of assistive technology (AT) specialists including occupational therapists, physical therapists, experts in blind and low vision, special educators, audiologists, rehabilitation engineers, software and AT device inventors, and more. "

Today marks the public launch of Assistive Technology Daily, a blog dedicated to sharing assistive technology solutions. As you will soon see, we share technology in a variety of categories that can be easily accessed by the user. New posts are available each weekday. We encourage you to share your thoughts about the technology featured here and perhaps to contribute some suggestions of your own.

Assistive Technology Advocacy By Dave Edyburn A key question, often left unstated during assistive technology consideration, is: Who can benefit from assistive technology? Federal law is silent on this issue assuming that the local IEP team is in the best position to decide if a student's needs can be met through technology interventions or other accommodations.

GPAT "As mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, Individual Educational Program (IEP) teams must document a student's need for assistive technology (AT) devices and services within the IEP. Assistive technology may be addressed in one or more components of the IEP depending on the student's need for and use of AT"

"Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB) ATIA, in partnership with the Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT) Center at Illinois State University, produces ATOB to promote the outcomes and benefits of assistive technology for persons with disabilities across the lifespan. ATOB is a peer-reviewed annual publication. The journal is free for download and available in multiple accessible formats."

"The ATIA AT Video YouTube Contest. The goal of the contest was to Broadcast AT and raise awareness around the world of the power of assistive technology. With over 20,000 views recorded the contest achieved its goal! The videos show a broad range of assistive technologies and feature individuals of different ages from toddlers to adults. Each video tells a story of how an individual with a disability uses assistive technology to communicate, learn, work, play and live independently. "

"Just as a carpenter needs to locate and use the correct tool for the job, teachers need to select technology tools to assist all learners in the classroom. Many tools can also assist in providing Tier 1 differentiated instruction for all learners and Universal Design for Learning. Use this wiki to learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Response to Intervention (RTI), free web tools and assistive technology (AT). Each set of "tools" might not be all encompassing. Continuing the carpenter analogy, every tool available is not necessary in order to complete a successful project. In addition some manual tools (non-technology) might be better than power tools (technology tools) for some projects. Teachers can fill their own toolbox with specialized tools to make learning more effective and efficient for all all students."

"Welcome!!! MrMatt.Org is a free website designed to help educators with assistive and educational technology services. The site contains the opinions of Matt Connell, Educator and Assistive Technology Specialist, and has no connection with any specific developer or service. Matt Connell is an Early Childhood and Special Education teacher in Western Kansas. In addition to teaching three- and four-year-olds with special needs, Matt is also the co-chair of his district's Assistive Technology team."

I was asked to help paint the 'big picture' of technology use with relation to the education of students with disabilities. My viewpoint is (albeit, perhaps a biased one) that technology has the potential to be beneficial in almost every aspect of educating students with disabilities. However, as I was presenting, questions started to arise as to how technology - specifically assistive technology - fit into various initiatives and mandates - Response to Intervention (RtI), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) and the Assistive Technology (AT) mandate within IDEA. We had some lively discussion about these but I decided to put together a graphic to begin fueling the discussion and think about the relationships between these various initiatives and mandates. The graphic has been revised several times as my thinking has changed over time.

"The Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT) Center at Illinois State University is a community of people working together to help individuals with disabilities realize the democratic ideal through assistive technology (AT). The SEAT Center was approved as a Center by the state legislature in 2001. The SEAT Center focuses on teaching preservice and practicing professionals the skills they need to meet the technology needs of people with disabilities through instruction that is practical, "hands-on", and performance-based. Instruction provided at the SEAT Center emphasizes developing competence in both AT and other types of technology (e.g., instructional technology, adaptive equipment) that can improve the education and quality of life for persons with disabilities. "