Assistive Technology Training: Diverse Audiences and Multidisciplinary Content
By Jans, Lita H.; Scherer, Marcia J.; Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Vol. 1, Nos. 1-2, pp. 69-77Publication Date: January-June 2006
Study conducted to survey United States programs that train assistive technology (AT) professionals in order to gain information on the diverse populations they serve, and to learn about the training methods utilized in the programs. The longitudinal study gathered information from 55 AT training programs in the United States on their courses, curricula, and clientele in 2002 and again in 2004. The researchers’ main focus was on 45 unique programs that provided AT training for formal credit, which included graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education programs. Twenty-five university and college programs provided training to mainly graduate students, and offered five or six three-unit AT courses. Twenty community-based AT programs offered one- to two-day workshops, as special educators were the main professionals in attendance. A total of 32 training directors and 135 instructors discussed curriculum issues, training barriers, distance and hands-on learning methods, and future AT training methods. The authors conclude that multidisciplinary AT training not only reaches core audiences of disability professionals, but includes educators in both special, general, and inclusive education. The researchers also found that AT training programs experience an abundance of turnover and often fall prey to funding issues.
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
