Assistive Technology Training and Resource Center (ATTRC)

What is Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology (AT) is any strategy or device that helps persons with disabilities improve functional capacity, including:

• Accommodations, techniques and tools that make educational tasks accessible to all students and job related tasks accessible in the workplace.
• Ways to help persons with motor, sensory, communication or cognitive impairments learn more effectively, communicate and achieve greater independence at home and in the community.
• A range of supports from simple strategies to complex hardware and software.
• A way to create a pathway for new skills and higher levels of independence, involvement and inclusion.

Our Assistive Technology Training and Resource Center offers a variety of workshops designed to increase expertise in the use of Assistive Technology in the classroom and build school capacity for Augmentative and Alternate Communication (AAC)/Assistive Technology (AT) evaluations.

Services include:

Workshops, Training and Events
Lending Library
Evaluations
Interest & Support Groups

Location

Assistive Technology Training and Resource Center
Southwest Human Development Easter Seals
2850 N. 24th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phone: (602) 266-5976
Fax: (602) 274-8952

Assistive Technology Program Philosophy

Southwest Human Development Easter Seals believes that access to current information about assistive technology products and services can enable people with disabilities to participate in activities of their own choosing, and lead more independent, self-sufficient and satisfying lives.

Sensitivity and responsiveness to individual needs underscores the assistive technology training and resource center's service. Consumer choice, when supported by professional guidance and proper training, results in effective and functional use of assistive technology.

Partners

The Assistive Technology Training and Resource Center collaborates with the following organizations:

• Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities
• Arizona Department of Economic Security, Rehabilitation Services Administration
• Arizona Commission for Blind and Visually Impaired
• Arizona State University
• Arizona Technology Access Program
• Foundation for Blind Children
• University of Arizona
• Vision Rehabilitation and Technology Exposition

For more information on the Assistive Technology Training and Resource Center contact us.

Out and About, a unique program for Assistive Technology users

Imagine being unable to speak.  Imagine having to use a computer-based device to communicate.  Now, imagine that you are trying to talk to people who have never seen or heard such a device!  And, although your device allows you to communicate, it still has limitations that are never encountered by most of society. 

Research shows that individuals who use augmentative communication (AAC) devices have great difficulties communicating with unfamiliar partners.  Worse, many AAC users end up forgoing the use of their device altogether out of frustration and/or lack of training.

Out and About offers children and adults who are unable to speak due to a disability, and their family members and mentors, a chance to meet in the community to develop support networks, build friendships, and get critical practice using their speech-generating communication devices with old friends, new friends, and unfamiliar partners.  The program employs internationally renowed staff and is well-respected throughout the country.

Augmentative communication devices can be a wonderful alternative for those who are unable to speak due to a disability.  Some of the more sophisticated devices can hold up to 25,000 word.  However, AAC users require extensive training as it is very time-consuming and difficult to learn to use a device to replace speech. Many individuals stop using their devices altogther; a costly prospect in both human and monetary terms.

Children require additional support from family members and all users need support from other professionals in their lives such as therapists, teachers and respite workers.  Without the ability to communicate using their speech device, children and adults become isolated as they are limited to, at best sign language (assuming they are physically able to do this) and at worst, grunting and pointing.

Out and About meetings take place ten times a year for two to four hours in a community location.  Past locations and activities include zoos, bookstores, ice cream shops, outdoor parks and outdoor restaurants. Activities may also include games such as treasure hunts, or toss games using special props.

Language objectives are developed for each event and individual user by Easter Seals Southwest Human Development assistive technology specialists.  Staff and Out and About coordinators work in collaboration with families and mentors/support personnel to develop outcomes and incentives for each AAC user, such as receiving one point for each animal named or one point for each part of a conversation completed.  Experienced augmentative communication users are also present to provide a model, and interact with new device users. 

If you or someone you know could benefit from Out and About and would like more information, please contact Easter Seals Southwest Human Development at 602-266-5976 or www.info@swhd.org.