Overview
Inconsistent practice in documenting AT in the IEP can result in not knowing how to include AT in an IEP; AT being written into an IEP in such a way that it does not address the student's specific needs; or devices included in an IEP without necessary services. This interactive session will share the technical assistance documents available from the work of the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT), engage with participants about current best practices, and explore what additional supports or scaffolding might be needed. Participants will have opportunities to discuss, collaborate, and problem-solve strategies to help scaffold and support quality integration of AT into IEPs.
Session Content Disclosure: This session will focus on free resources from Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT), as well as QIAT: Quality Indicators in Assistive Technology, a publication available from CAST.org.
Learning Objectives
- Identify two resources for best practice in including AT in an IEP.
- Discuss three potential areas in an IEP where AT can be included.
- Identify two common errors in documenting AT in an IEP.
Primary & Secondary Strands
Education & Learning: Early Intervention - 12/Higher Education; Leadership
Target Audience
Administrators; AT Specialists; Caregivers; Communication Specialist; Consultants/Trainers; Curriculum and Instruction; Educators; Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education; Family Members; Government/Non-Profit Agencies; Occupational Therapists; Paraprofessionals; Physical Therapists; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Teachers of the Visually Impaired; Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Transition Coordinator; Visual Impairment Specialists; Vocational Rehabilitation
Experience Level
Introductory
Primary Life Cycle Addressed
Birth - Pre K; Elementary - Secondary (K-12)
Session Delivery Format
In-person presentation with recording
Course Schedule
This course was given at the ATIA 2023 Conference on Thursday, February 2 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Learning Center CEUs
ASHA CE Information: Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: June 15, 2023
This course is also offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.
End date of CRC CEUs offering: January 30, 2024
As this course was included in the ATIA 2023 Virtual Event series, please refer to the ATIA Learning Center CEUs page for further information on how to submit your CRC CEUs for this course to CRCC.
Speaker/s:
Brian Wojcik
Assistive Technology Partnership, NE ATP Education Program Supervisor
Biography
Brian Wojcik currently works as the Education Program Supervisor for the Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership within the Nebraska Department of Education. He has worked previously as Special Education Faculty at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and as the Coordinator of the Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT) Center at Illinois State University. As an educator, Brian has been integrating technology to meet the needs of students with diverse learning needs for well over three decades. In his current position, Brian works to help educators build capacity for delivering quality AT services within Nebraska.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Brian Wojcik receives a salary from the Nebraska Department of Education as compensation for his work with the Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No
Joan Breslin Larson, M.Ed.
Breslin Larson and Associates, Independent Consultant
Biography
Joan Breslin Larson, M.Ed. is an independent consultant on issues relating to AT. Her work has a particular focus on policy, leadership and developing effective teams to improve services for assistive technology in special education. She was formerly a supervisor for services for students with low incidence disabilities at the Minnesota Department of Education and as an AT and UDL specialist. She has worked in AT for over 30 years, as an independent consultant, in a school setting, and at the state education agency. Joan lives in Minnesota, and is the parent of three adult children, one of whom had an IEP. Joan is a member of the QIAT Leadership Team.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Joan is an independent consultant and receives payment for services provided. She is a member of the QIAT Leadership Team, and receives royalties for publications from CAST Publishing.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Member- QIAT Leadership Team
Kelly Fonner, MS
Consultant, Fonner Consulting
Biography
Kelly is a self-employed consultant and trainer in assistive and educational technology. She is also an online educator for students with complex learning needs. Since 1986, she has presented to schools, universities & families in 48 US states & internationally in Australia, Canada and South Africa. She presents on a wide range of topics including technology integration, augmentative communication, access, literacy, writing, assistive technology assessment and implementation strategies.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Kelly is a co-author to the QIAT: Quality Indicators in Assistive Technology book that will be mentioned in this presentation; her non-financial disclosures are voluntary leadership membership of QIAT, Wisconsin AAC Network; Kelly does training for some AT companies and training organizations that may be mentioned in this session. She is not receiving financial support from those entities.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No
Matthew Newton
T/TAC @ Virginia Tech, Assistive and Educational Technology Coordinator
Biography
Matt serves as the coordinator of assistive and instructional technology for the Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at Virginia Tech. His focus is supporting general and special education teachers, administrators, and related service providers in finding and implementing low to high-tech solutions and UDL strategies for PK-12 students with disabilities. Matt began his career in education as a special education teacher working with students with multiple disabilities in the Roanoke City Public Schools division and has also served there as an instructional technology resource teacher. He was recognized as Roanoke City's Teacher of the Year in 2014 and Virginia's Region 6 Teacher of the Year in 2015, as well as a Joy Zabala Fellow in 2022.
Matt earned his Education Specialist Degree in Instructional Design and Technology from Virginia Tech, his Master's Degree in Special Education from Liberty University, and an adapted curriculum endorsement following coursework at Radford University. He also holds a graduate certificate in assistive technology from George Mason University. Matt is a certified Assistive Technology Professional by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) and has been endorsed as an accessibility professional by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Employed with VA DoE.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Member- QIAT Leadership Team, Joy Zabala Fellow 2022. Matt is a certified Assistive Technology Professional by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) and has been endorsed as an accessibility professional by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
Shannon Paige, MA, CCC-SLP
Texas Technology Access Program, Education Program Manager
Biography
Shannon is a US Navy veteran, speech language pathologist, and an assistive technology (AT) specialist. She received her degrees from the University of Houston. She has over 20 years’ experience supporting AT and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with a passion for collaboration and problem solving to ensure equitable access for all individuals in all settings. She has worked in rehabilitation, schools, private practice, and as a Texas Education Service Center specialist supporting AT in education through coaching and training in school districts. She has presented in Texas at school districts, education service centers, and at both state and national conferences. As the Education Project Manager for the Texas Technology Access Program, she currently works to increase statewide AT awareness.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Shannon is employed full time and receives a salary from the Texas Technology Access Program, a grant funded state AT program under the AT act.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Her non-financial disclosures include a leadership position in QIAT and she is a member of the ASHA Sig 12 Coordinating Committee.
Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP
Stacy Springer Consulting, Independent Consultant
Biography
Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP has over 20 years of experience in assistive technology, and universal design for learning. Stacy started her career as a preschool special education teacher serving children with multiple complex disabilities. Since then she has worked in a variety of school-based settings across the country, as a Special Education Teacher, Occupational Therapist, and Assistive Technology Specialist. Stacy worked as AT specialist for South Carolina’s Department of Education building capacity for developing AT teams at the local district level and providing technical assistance. Stacy served on the AOTA workgroup of leaders in State Departments. Most recently, she led the AT/AAC team for Oakland Unified School District (California), supporting aligning services with MTSS. Stacy is currently an independent consultant with a focus on AT, UDL, and special education instructional technology and curriculum. Stacy is a member of the QIAT leadership team.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Stacy regularly receives speaker fees and stipend from other educational agencies.
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Stacy is a member of the QIAT Leadership Team.