Assistive Technology Resources for Low Incidence Populations
AT device- make use of technology you already have- example zoom feature, don’t have to increase font size
Any item…
Excludes devices surgically implanted
AT service-
Low incidence disabilities-
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic- DPI purchased account for every LEA, for students with print disabilities, VI, provides digitally recorded text
Bookshare- library of digital books for students with print disabilities- VI, some physical impairments, some students with specific reading disabilities
Download for FREE
Braille?
Books, textbooks, newspapers, etc.
Augmentative Alternative Communication Evaluation Teams- LEA Teams trained by CDL to perform these evaluations with their students, done for students when something is preventing them from speaking
Contact- Julie Kagy
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
Government funded, provides materials for blind and VI students
Federal Quota Funds-
Fill out legally blind application to obtain $308/student to purchase materials for legally blind students
Contact- Julie Kagy
Risk Pool- high need funds for RS and special education services
Complete application for high need students
Not disability specific, determined on case by case basis
Special State Reserve- funds to apply for if you inherit a high need student that you did not budget for (i.e., nursing services, Brailler, etc.)
SETT Framework- framework for thinking about AT
Consider everything about student, environment in which student functions, tasks student needs to complete- prior to identifying tools student might need
NC Assistive Technology Program-
Provides AT services/consultation to students and adults in NC
Can borrow some items from some of the regional offices on trial basis
Partnerships in Assistive Technology (PAT)- non profit program
Coordinates NCAT Expo in Raliegh
NC Assistive Technology Expo-
NC’s #1 Technology Expo coordinated by PAT
NC Augmentative Communication Association- non profit organization that provides support to non-speaking individuals
Clinical Center for the Study of Development and Learning (CDL)- in Chapel Hill offers variety of evaluation and consultation resources for children with developmental disabilities including Autism
NC Division of Services for the Blind- provides services to students and adults with visual impairments, can do AT evaluations, similar to Voc Rehab, good for VI students when looking at transition and post secondary employment
NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing- provides services to students and adults with hearing loss, telephone access and communication, etc.
NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services- state agency provides services to people with disabilities to help them obtain employment, typically long waiting lists, (NC Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing refers to Voc Rehab for the employment piece)
DPI Low-Incidence Disability Consultants-
Outreach Program of the Governor Morehead School for the Blind- regionally based consultants that offer services to student with visual impairments, can do functional vision assessments, consultation, etc.
Resource Support Program of the NC Schools for the Deaf-
Your own staff-
Center for Early Communication and Learning- located at Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton, helps families for students birth-5 years in need of AT, funding has been cut to this center, possibly shut down???
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)- funds implemented to help states struggling during recession, must be spent by Sept. 30, 2011, funds could be used for AT
Quality Indicators in Assistive Technology (QIAT) -indicators to help states improve provision of AT services through self- assessment
Vendors-
Quintex of Asheville-
Key Technologies-