Assistive Technology Implementation
It is important to ensure that assistive technology (AT) implementation does not get overlooked once teams have determined the best AT support or device to meet a student's learning needs. This page includes links to lesson activities, plans, and demonstrations of evidence-based practices for AT implementation. The Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) consortium provides many resources regarding implementation to help special education professionals plan and implement AT. Additionally the QIAT Resource Bank (new tab) includes lesson plans and templates to help teams get started.
On the QIAT website (new tab), educational teams can also access rubrics to support their own evaluation of effectiveness for assessment, implementation, professional development, and more.
QIAT suggests these indicators must be present for quality AT implementation:
- AT implementation proceeds according a collaboratively developed plan.
- AT is integrated into the curriculum and daily activities of the student across environments.
- Persons supporting the student across all environments in which the AT is expected to be used share responsibility for implementation of the plan.
- Persons supporting the student provide opportunities for the student to use a variety of strategies - including AT - and to learn which strategies are most effective for particular circumstances and tasks.
- Training for the student, family and staff is an integral part of implementation.
- AT implementation is initially based on assessment data and is adjusted based on performance data.
- AT implementation includes management and maintenance of equipment and materials.
In each area, the QIAT Indicator Matrix lists evidence that these criteria have been met. When looking at the indicators, plans that have shared responsibility for AT, include parent collaboration, infuse AT throughout the school day, and plan for ongoing staff, student, and family training are on the road to effective AT implementation.
Reference
QIAT: Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology. (2020, November 1). Indicator 4: AT Implementation. Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services. https://qiat.org/indicators/indicator-4-at-implementation/ (new tab)