Resources for Teamwork and AT Processes

In order to develop high quality assistive technology services, student centered teams and teams that guide AT services must think about the way services are designed and the ways that each team member contributes to AT services and IEP team decisions.  The resources on this page will help you to think about the services you provide whether your team is a student-centered team or a district level assistive technology team.

• AT Decision Making Guide-The WATI AT Decision Making Guide describes a process that teams can use when considering a student's need for AT.
• AT Decision Making Self-Assessment-This self-assessment was developed to help team figure out how to develop or improve the AT assessment process. The AT Decision Making Self Assessment helps a team review their respective attitudes, decision making process, and team dynamics. Using it facilitates useful discussion of underlying differences that can interfere with team function if not addressed.
• Assistive Technology Teams:  Many ways to do it well-If you are starting an AT Team or looking to upgrade an existing team, this free, online manual, The Changing Role of AT Teams discusses the ways AT teams get started, the challenges and issues that they often address and the range of service models that teams use to provide AT services.
• Assistive Technology Trainers Handbook-The Assistive Technology Trainers Handbook is a free downloadable guide to planning, offering and assessing your AT professional development offerings.
• ATOMS Project Technical Report - Factors in Assistive Technology Device Abandonment: Replacing “Abandonment” with “Discontinuance”:   The Assistive Technology Outcomes Measurement System (ATOMS) project was developed to review and describe the effects of the use of AT.  The final report lists recommendations for improving outcomes that will be in interest to teams developing or refining their AT service designs.
• The Changing Roles of Assistive Technology Teams in Public School Settings, DeCoste, D. , Wilson, L. and McGrath, W. Denise C. DeCoste .Perspectives on Language and Literacy, The International Dyslexia Association, Fall 2013
• Consultation, Collaboration, and Coaching:  Essential Techniques for Integrating Assistive
  Technology Use in Schools and Early Intervention Programs,  Reed, P., & Bowser, G., (2012) Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 5:15–30, 2012.
• Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) Indicators and resources:  The Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology include the specific quality indicators that were developed by focus groups and validated through research, intent statements that further explain each indicator, and a list of common errors for each of the eight areas. The eight areas are all important to the development and delivery of assistive technology services and include: Consideration of AT Needs, Assessment of AT Needs, AT in the IEP, AT Implementation, Evaluation of Effectiveness of AT, AT in Transition, Administrative Support for AT, and AT Professional Development.
• QIAT AbleNet University Webinars-Ablenet University hosts a variety of webinars which are free and available online.  The program has hosted three webinar series about the use of QIAT to develop high quality assistive technology services.  Visit AbleNet University and search the list of recorded webinars using QIAT as the search term to watch them.
• Strategies for Improving Team Decision Making-Click here to download a self-evaluation tool to help teams assess and improve the ways that they make AT decisions.  The Strategies for ImprovingTeamDecisionMaking form looks at team process, leadership and other factors.