EI Assistive Technology National Research Institute: A Collaboration Between Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia)

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EI Assistive Technology National Research
Institute A Collaboration Between
Thomas Jefferson University
(Philadelphia) Arizona State University
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Mission
The mission of Tots n Tech is threefold (1) to
study prevalence, policy and resources,
individualized decision making, training and
support, funding and other factors related to use
of assistive technology (AT) devices and services
in early intervention. (2) to disseminate current
knowledge and research findings in timely ways to
families, multidiscipline EI providers,
administrators, educators ad policymakers using a
variety of methods and approaches. (3) to partner
with parents of children with disabilities, with
individuals with disabilities, in the design and
implementation of the national research program.
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Goals
Multi-Media Dissemination of Institute Findings
and Products
Describe and Understand Policy and Resources that
Promote AT in Early Intervention
Identify Optimal Training/TA Practices for
Establishing Maintaining Knowledgeable Adults
to Support Childrens AT use
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Today You will learn about

• What Providers Told Us
• Prevalence of State policy
• Existing AT Tools Related to Decision Making
• Resources
• Training materials/curricula
• Informational Booklets
• How Your Community can Participate in the
  Institute

Policy and Resources
Training/TA Practices
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Initial Provider Survey

• N 976 (N 450 in follow-up survey)
• 98 Female
• Education Level
• 61 Masters Degree
• 35 Bachelors
• Yrs wk with I/T M 9.95 (s.d. 7.24 yrs)
• Community
• Urban 13
• Suburban 26
• Rural 21
• Combination 39

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We asked providers (N 450)

• Engaged in and to what extent with in the last 3
  years
• Workshops/Presentations
• College Course
• Self-Study
• Mentoring
• Technology Fair/Expo
• Other

Policy and Resources
Training/TA Practices
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What Providers Told Us (N 450)
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Policy documents (N 44 states)

• 61 (27) states indicate
  they have state
• EI statutes

• 71 (31) states indicate
  they have state
• EI regulations

Policy and Resources
Training/TA Practices
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Resources for making decisions (N 50 states)

• 36- 44
• Specific policies
• Specific guidelines
• Things to consider list
• Statements considering the continuum of AT

• 10 - 20
• Flow charts
• Check lists
• Criteria lists
• Assessment forms
• Process used to acquire AT devices and services

Policy and Resources
Training/TA Practices
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AT Implementation plan (N 50 states)

• 24 - 36
• Determine when AT will be used
• How AT will be used in natural settings
• What will be done
• Who will do it

Policy and Resources
Training/TA Practices
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AT Tools (N 50 states)

• 28 - 30
• Ownership of AT devices
• AT when a child transitions

• lt 4
• Specified device loan time
• Location to trade devices
• Lost/stolen devices
• Insurance for devices

Policy and Resources
Training/TA Practices
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AT Tools (N 50 states)

• 54
• During Use
• Repairing
• Replacing
• Maintaining

• lt16
• Previously used
• Recycled
• Added to lending library
• Returned to school/purchaser
• Parent Buy-out option

Policy and Resources
Training/TA Practices
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National Document Collection Informational
Sources
Policy and Resources
Part C or designated State contact
Comprehensive web searches
Training/TA Practices
University Centers on Disability
Technology Act Program Directors
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What we found (N 102 docs.)
General trainer/organization information
website print-outs, phone/email communication, no
materials
Informational booklets reference materials
that individuals can use through self-study
Handouts handouts associated with
workshops/presentations
Assessment tools tools for
parents/providers to determine AT needs
Training curricula training presentation
package
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Providers of resources (N 67 docs)
Target audience
Parents and providers 70
State offices
Content
Specific devices/services 79 Funding
49 Policies/procedures 46 Monitoring/evaluati
ons 30
Private organizations
Intent
Awareness 89 Skill-building 52 Implementatio
n 34
Universities
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With regard to training (N 49 docs)

• Delivery format
• Interactive 67
• Didactic 65
• Consultatio 33
• Mentoring 6
• Self-study 6

• Duration
• Single 63
• Continuous 49
• Series 35

Policy and Resources
Training/TA Practices
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Summary
There is a clear need for increased number of
trainings and reference materials which focus on
AT for the infant/toddler population.
Policy and Resources
Most trainings found were focused on general
transference of knowledge about AT, and limited
trainings focused on improving parents or
providers use of AT in the context of service
delivery.
Providers reported little variability in the
types of training accessed. Providers most
frequently reported attending a
workshop/presentation.
Training/TA Practices
Clearly, parents and providers need more
opportunities to gain knowledge about AT, such as
the development of trainings and training
materials which focus on best practices of AT use
with infants and toddlers.
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Organization of materials

• National Technical Assistance Consortium for
  Children and Youth who are Deaf-Blind (NTAC)
• Outcomes and Performance Indicators for
• Service Providers
• Children and Youth
• Families
• Systems
• September 2004

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Example
General Outcome Modified NTAC Outcome QIAT Indicators DEC R.P. Documents
Service providers are given tools to develop IFSP 3. Service provider's use of strategies for effective IFSP/IEP development for children with special needs has increased. v focuses on consideration and documentation   OR - Assistive Technology Model Operating Guidelines (mostly for school-age but has applications for EI) CO- Assistive Technology for Infants, Toddlers, Children Youth with Disabilities
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Time to Peruse

• AT Tools Related to Decision Making
• Resource Materials
• Training materials/curricula
• Informational Booklets

Next Steps
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Next Steps
AT Best Practice Field Test
30 communities
1 designated Research Coordinator
3 or 4 providers
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AT Best Practice Field Test