Assistive Technology Teams, Funding, and Switch Access

Presented by Donna Case

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Assistive technology can allow individuals with disabilities to find meaning and participate in their homes and communities. There are many factors that impact an individual with a disability successfully implementing that technology. The best assistive technology must be accessible to the individual with a disability, and without it, the technology and desired outcomes remain out of reach. This course will address how to develop an assistive technology team, possible funding sources for assistive technology, the components that should be considered for an individual to access assistive technology, and how to determine an individual’s access to the assistive technology.

Meet your instructor

Donna Case

Donna Case, PhD, OTL, began her work with assistive technology more than 30 years ago when working with adults with significant multiple disabilities who had been removed from Michigan’s State Institutions. She received a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Technology from Eastern Michigan University to facilitate her…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Developing an Assistive Technology Team

1. Developing an Assistive Technology Team

Evaluation for and prescription of a specific assistive technology requires a team that is comprised of individuals from varying disciplines. Everyone brings his or her discipline's perspective and knowledge, thus providing for successful implementation of assistive technology.

Funding for Assistive Technology

2. Funding for Assistive Technology

Once an Assistive Technology Team has determined the specific technology that is required to allow an individual to perform the desired task, funding for the technology must be found. This chapter will discuss funding options that are available for assistive technology.

Accessing Technology

3. Accessing Technology

For an individual with a disability to successfully utilize assistive technology, they must be able to access it. Successful access must be quick and repeatable for the individual to sustain the assistive technology.

Selecting an Appropriate Switch

4. Selecting an Appropriate Switch

Successful utilization of assistive technology requires appropriate access. This chapter will look at several types of switch access and factors to determine which is most appropriate.