Sharing AT Information

The diversity within the field of assistive technology and the rate at which information changes makes it absolutely necessary that there be a vehicle for sharing information within the district. This could be a newsletter (in either electronic or hard copy format), a column or section within an existing newsletter, a web site, an electronic bulletin board, a corner within each staff lounge, a time slot at staff meetings, or any other vehicle that can be effectively used to disseminate information.

Newsletters

When creating a newsletter, it is important to keep it short. If something is too long and complicated, it goes on that "stack" on the desk. (The one that you are going to get to later!) One piece of paper (two pages, front and back) is the best length if we want something to be read immediately. Many school districts are effectively using a monthly newsletter to keep their teachers informed and interested in assistive technology. Other districts have found it effective to include assistive technology in an already existing newsletter. This may make it inexpensive to disseminate information, as the budget for the newsletter is already there.

• In Janesville, Wisconsin, Kathy White, AT Coordinator, has been creating newsletters on different uses of assistive technology for three years to disseminate information throughout her district. They are now on a central website, making her newsletters, fact sheets, and assessment forms are all easy to find.
  • Software for Literacy
  • Using the Internet to Encourage Reading

• Milwaukee Public School's Assistive Technology Program and the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative publish a newsletter six times during the school year. It includes information about new technology, ideas for implementation, new web sites, lists of training opportunities, and other information related to assistive technology.

• Direction: Technology in Special Education Newsletter
  DREAMMS for Kids

• IntelliWorld:
  A free e-mail newsletter for the IntelliTools' global family of special education professionals, teachers and parents.

• Tapping Technology Newsletter
  Maryland Technology Assistance Program

• T.R.E.A.T. Resources (Technology Resources for Education Center Assistive Technology) Albany, NY
  

Professional Groups

It is important for individuals who are striving to learn more about assistive technology to be connected to others with the same interests and goals. Collegial support is a key ingredient for success in any endeavor. It is especially important as individuals work to increase their use of various software and hardware. In large school districts it may be necessary to connect teachers and therapists from throughout the district who share common interests or who are working to apply assistive technology with similar populations. In smaller districts a collegial network must be established across districts. In many areas interested persons meet on a county or regional basis. Attending a meeting on a regular basis that is focused on applications of assistive technology helps the teacher or therapist gain much needed information about the technology itself. Perhaps even more important, it creates a network of individuals who know each other and are comfortable calling or emailing each other to ask questions and explore ideas.

In many states professional organizations help to create these networks of support. Several professional associations exist in the areas of augmentative communication, computer access, rehabilitation, and general disability issues. Each of these national organizations has branches or subdivisions in many states. You can find out more about them by visiting their websites.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
4720 Montgomery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20824
(301) 652-2682
Fax: (301) 652-7711

AOTA is a nationwide organization of occupational therapy professionals. Membership includes a special interest section on technology.

ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 897-5700
(800) 498-2071
Fax: (301) 571-0457

National association of professionals working in speech, language, and hearing fields. Membership includes many specialists in augmentative communication.

Council for Exceptional Children: Technology & Media Division
1920 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091-1589
(888) CEC-SPED
Fax: 703-264-9494

The Technology and Media Division of the national association of special education teachers, university faculty, researchers and administrators, focuses on the technology needs of students with disabilities. Publishes "Journal of Special Education Technology".

United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC)
P.O. Box 5271
Evanston, IL 60204-5271
(847 869-2122
Fax: (847 869-2161

The purpose of USSAAC is to bring together individuals who are committed to providing augmentative + alternative communication for people with disabilities.