Assistive Technology


READS Collaborative
Assistive Technology Team

Background:

Our Assistive Technology Team (AT Team) is comprised of a group of specialists who are trained to recommend no, low, mid and high tech tools to students whose curriculum success is hampered by physical or learning disabilities.


Technology can help students:

  • access student learning styles
  • meet the demands of learning and functioning in their environment
  • make measurable progress in meeting their learning objectives

Assistive Technology Team Members:
  • Technology Coordinator/Administrator
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Physical Therapist
  • Speech/Language Pathologist

SERVICES

Evaluation

STEP 1: A student is referred for an assistive technology evaluation when his or her educational team believes technology may help in achieving proposed learning objectives. Upon receipt of a completed evaluation referral, the READS AT Team will select the appropriate team members who will observe the student in his/her environment.

STEP 2: The AT Team will compile data during the observation to identify key issues or barriers for the learner as they relate to his/her academic goals.

The AT Team utilizes the SETT model in our evaluations to consider the:

  • Student needs, strengths and weaknesses
  • Environment: physical space, materials, equipment and supports
  • Tasks: what the student needs to be able to do, referring to the IEP objectives.
  • Tools: what will help the student accomplish the task(s)
STEP 3: The AT Team will meet again to target specific, effective technological solutions that will address the student’s goals immediately, in the next few months, and in the future. We will submit an evaluation summary that outlines our recommendations and, in some cases, a follow-up plan for trial use of AT devices or programs.

STEP 4: A member(s) will be identified who will implement trial use of the tools as they relate to the student’s tasks and IEP goals.

STEP 5: School district requests consultation for purpose of instruction of device use and monitoring of successful integration. Identified member(s) of our team will assist with trial use.

Consultation

The AT Team provides a variety of consultation services:

• Training individual staff members and students to use assistive devices

• Monitoring the successful integration of technology into the classroom

• On-going support to determine if the recommended AT tools and techniques are working to meet student goals

• Resource information for technology purchases

• Working with parents

Staff Training

The AT Team offers professional development workshops designed to increase exposure and expand the use of Assistive Technology in the school setting.

For more information, please contact READS Collaborative at 508 947-3634, or visit our website at www.readscollab.org.


Evaluation – Level (1)
(Not to exceed 10 hrs.) $550 $650

Evaluation – Level (2)
(Not to exceed 14 hrs.) $770 $885

Evaluation – Level (3)
(Not to exceed 18 hrs.) $990 $1,130

Consultation
Hourly rate: $60 - $70

Staff Training
Hourly Rate: $100 $150

We offer short-term loans of hardware and software as well as referrals to vendor resources that provide lending programs for student trial use. We are constantly updating our inventory, so please contact us for a list of current stock items.

Current Software/Hardware inventory:

  • ULTIMATE READER
  • ALPHA SMART 2000
  • CO-WRITER
  • WRITE OUTLOUD
  • NATURALLY SPEAKING
  • HYPERSTUDIO
  • ACCESS TO MATH
  • INTELLIKEYS
  • INTELLIPICS
  • OVERLAY MAKER
  • BIG MAC
  • CHEAP TALK
  • SPEAKING DYNAMICALLY
  • BOARDMAKER
  • NEEDS FIRST
  • MAGIC WINDOW
  • VARIETY OF SWITCHES
  • DEMO CD ROMs

For more information, contact:

READS Collaborative
105 East Grove Street
Middleboro, MA 02346
Email: reads@readscollab.org
Phone: (508) 947-3634
Fax: (508) 946-1088
Website: www.readscollab.org