Assistive Technology – Implementation and Decision Making: The “How?”

Presented at 1:30pm in Matchless on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

Speaker(s)

• Rachel Kruzel, Higher Education Specialist, Texthelp

Session Details

• Length of Session: 3-hr
• Format: Lecture
• Expertise Level: Beginner
• Type of session: Pre-conference

Summary

Professionals working in the DS field have a basic understanding of assistive technology. But, when it comes to making decisions on tools or implementing it strategically, professionals wish they had more process and strategies. This session will focus on the “how” of assistive technology: how to make decisions around AT; how to effectively implement AT; how to train users on these tools; how to acquire, track, and organize these resources. We’ll focus on these and other questions regarding AT.

Abstract

Many professionals who work in the field of disability resources have a basic understanding of assistive technology. They understand what it is and why it can benefit students and know the common types of assistive technology and programs that are commonly used to accommodate students. However, when it comes to making decisions on tools or implementing it strategically with particular learners or more broadly as a support tool across campus, professionals often wish they had more process and strategies. This half-day preconference session will focus on the components of assistive technology provision, implementation, and decision making. Our time will be focused on the "how" of assistive technology:

• How do I make decisions around what assistive technology is best for learners? • How do I effectively implement assistive technology with students on a wider scale on campus? How do I train students on these tools? • How do I acquire, track, and organize these resources? • How can I address reluctance, fear, or skepticism of use as it relates to student assistive technology implementation and use? • How can I address my own professional reluctance, anxiety, or skepticism around embracing these tools within my office and the students I work with?

During our time together, we’ll focus on these and other “how” questions regarding assistive technology, through exploration, discussion, and collaboration among attendees. To ensure attendees have the skills and knowledge to capitalize on these supports in their offices and on campus, we’ll spend time discussing implementation science and strategies from an individual, office, and systemic perspective. Ideas around budgeting advocacy and procurement will also be touched on to support the process of obtaining these resources. Both new and seasoned professionals will leave with frameworks, strategies, and processes to support this key type of accommodation.

Keypoints

1. Best practices and strategies around the provision of AT can help with implementation.
2. Strategic budgeting, advocacy and procurement strategies can support AT use in your office or on campus.
3. Implementation science can guide strategic steps around successful implementation of AT on campus.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Assistive Technology, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Rachel Kruzel

Rachel Kruzel, ATP, is the Higher Education Specialist for Texthelp where she supports higher education institutions across the United States and Canada as they explore, adopt, and implement technology based literacy, STEM, and accessibility based solutions to help create more inclusive, equitable, and accessible campuses and learning spaces for all students and campus members. She is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional and spent over ten years working as an Assistive Technology and Accommodations Specialist in Disability Resource Offices prior to coming to Texthelp. During her time in higher ed, she built and developed assistive technology programs at both schools she worked at, as well as coordinated the provision of accommodations. Rachel is a national expert in the areas of assistive technology, digital accessibility, accessible course materials, and accommodation provision around testing and notetaking. Rachel presents both regionally and nationally on these topics and others, as well as consults with students, parents, schools, and organizations.