Enhancing AT Services by Collaborating with an

Academic UnitAssistive Technology Resource Center

Sherri Keller & Marla RollAccessing Higher Ground 2010

Introduction

Explore models for AT service delivery in higher education.

What are Assistive Technology (AT) services at Colorado State University?

CollaborationsHow collaborations enhance AT services

Pros:

Cons:

Explore various service models:Pros/ Cons for assistive technology services based out of the DSS office:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros/ Cons for assistive technology services based out of central computing/ IT:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros/ Cons of other service models:

Colorado State UniversityInstitutional ProfileFort Collins, CO pop: 141,000Land grant institutionCarnegie Research University8 CollegesEnrollment = 26,5000Tuition

Residents ( 81%) = $6,985.00Non-residents = $23,095.00

Small bit of history –ATRC began with:

Fed DEO personnel prep grant for OT grad studentsIBM donations

University politics – centralize services:Moved to the Office of Equal Opportunity

Oops:Strong justification to move the center back to the

Department of Occupational Therapy

Lessons learned : Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC)

Services= DirectAssistive Technology:

EvaluationsAccommodationsTraining

Eligibility:Students with a disability as defined by ADA

and Section 504Students with cumulative trauma disorders/

acute injuriesEmployees with a disability as defined by the

ADA

Services = ConsultationErgonomic, accessibility, and universal design

considerations for computing and technology environments.

Assistance with ensuring accessible web content, on-line education, and course materials.

TeachingOversight of Assistive Technology content in

the Occupational Therapy graduate curriculum.

Development of an Assistive Technology elective.

Fieldwork students.

Occupational Therapy Graduate Program: provides a MS or MOT degree to 45 students

annuallyPhD is in process

Other human services fields to consider:PsychologySocial WorkEducationAllied Health

Collaborations

GrantsResearchDevelopmentMore comprehensive level of servicesPersonnel prepPublications

Benefits of collaboration with OT

ATRC has been positioned to partner with other faculty in Occupational Therapy in pursuit of grants.

1. Access –

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education(Grants P333A050015 and P333A080026).

http://accessproject.colostate.edu/(1.7 million) – activities and research related to implementing universal

design in higher education classrooms

 2. TPSID – Transition Project: Opportunities for Postsecondary Success( 2 million) - activities related to transition programs for students with

ID in higher education

Grants

Program of Research & Scholarly Excellence (PRSE) Award – mini-research grant to encourage interdisciplinary research projects

ATRC partnered with other OT faculty and Computer Science faculty to bring Brain Computer Interface technology to people with disabilities.

Research

Research (Con’t)

PRSE project position to submit a large scale submission to NIH (pending).

We receive assistance from both the University & College Development offices.

Daniel’s Fund – foundation award that allowed the ATRC to buy equipment and provide AT services to the community. Recently asked to submit another proposal.

Donor connections – connection with a college has provided us with a donor pool. ATRC has received a fellowship from a College/ OT alumni.

Development:

Professional Trade journals and practice papersE.g. OT practice – assistive technology service

Refereed Journals e.g. AHEADEffectiveness of universal design for learning in

higher education – in printTwo others – in development

PhD program -

Publications

GSA’s

Application of the HAAT modelDocumentation – Outcomes – Evidence

Comprehensive AT services

Staffing 1.0 FTE Director – 25% of job is faculty related 1.0 FTE AT/ IT Coordinator .50 FTE Service Coordinator Two 12 hours GSA’s - 1st year OT graduate students Two 12 hour GSA’s – 2nd year OT graduate students

Grad students - Who benefits?Win for ATRC Self sustaining system, 2nd yr students

train the 1st yr students

OT graduate students study human factors as it relates to a task. They are learning about the relationship between one’s abilities and technology

Motivated, hard working. Eager to do projects, and research that will better the center

Relate better to peers, college students more receptive to training

Grad students are involved with the campus, able to provide feedback based on personal experiences how to improve services

Bring fresh energy and innovative ideas to the ATRC

Win for Grad Students Opportunity to learn via real examples

Experience with direct and indirect service delivery

Access to cutting edge technology

Ability to practice new skills with clientele: evaluation, documentation. Opportunity for constructive feedback in safe learning environment.

Opportunity to participate in research, grants, publications

Preparing them to be skilled assistive technology practitioners

Enhances employability

HAAT Model- Human Activity Assistive Technology Model4 Components

Things to consider

Human What are the student’s abilities?How satisfied is the student with their performance?

Activity What is the overall goal of using Assistive technology?What tasks, skills and abilities does the activity require?

Assistive Technology

What features apply to the specific user?Is performance improved based on the presence of the technology?

Context Does the environment support or hinder performance?Is it acceptable the student use technology in specific environments?

Application of HAAT ModelApplication of HAAT model

How ATRC applies the model

Define key activities Intake: Student defines meaningful activities related to academia Discuss strengths, barriers related to the academic taskDiscuss what adaptations they have attempted in the past

Consider the Perspective of the User

Assessment: ATRC staff selects an array of technology for student to view based on the feedback from the interview. Student previews technology, interacts with the technology with personal applications, determines what may work for them

Consider the Environment Training: Student is trained in their preferred setting Personal computer- free programsLibrary study roomsComputer labs- anywhere on campus

Selecting the technology Follow up: Student communicates with ATRC staff member the outcome of using technology via survey.Based on user feedback, technology use is either altered or continued

IntakeProgress NotesAssessment SummarySurvey- Results of the survey

Documentation

ATRC perspective: Providing the technology is the easy part Working with client, finding useful applications of the

AT and long term adoption is the challenging part.

Consider: Teaming with an academic unit - human services fieldsMay encourage meaningful and purposeful use of the

technologyMay provide access to financial and academic

opportunities, and opportunity for growth

Summary

Assistive Technology Resource CenterDepartment of Occupational TherapyColorado State UniversityFort Collins, CO 80523970-491-6258www.atrc.colostate.edu

Sherri Keller, MS, OTR Marla Roll, MS, OTREmail: sherri.keller@colostate.edu

mcroll@cahs.colostate.edu

Contacts: