AT assessment frameworks

Frameworks used for assessing individual AT needs:

There are five commonly used AT assessment frameworks that we learned about in class today. I will give a brief overview of each framework and include a link to a useful website should you wish to learn more. It is important to remember that in order to accurately assess an individual there is a great deal of background information that is required, this is something that all the frameworks have in common.


1. MPTT – This framework stands for ‘Matching person to technology and task’. This is Marcia Scherer’s model and it puts the student or individual at the center of the model. The assessment takes into account a number of different factors such as, the student’s personality, environment, technology, task and time to determine the best assistive technology for the individual. To learn more about this framework follow the link below.

MPTT model Marcia Scherer
http://www.gdewsbury.ukideas.com/Models%20of%20AT.html

2. WATI- This framework stands for the ‘Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative’ and is a referral guide which asks a series of questions to identify what is currently being used by the individual and what needs are not being met. The guide asks a number of different questions from a variety of categories such as, the age of the individual, classroom setting, mobility concerns, distractibility, medical considerations etc. More information can be found on the website below.

WATI
http://www.wati.org

3. SETT- The SETT framework stands for ‘Student, environment, task, tools’ it is a guideline created by Joy Zabala for gathering data to make effective AT decisions. It begins with collecting information about the student, deciding on solutions, creating a plan and integrating the AT into daily use. To learn more about this framework visit the website below.

SETT Joy Zabala
http://web.ccesc.k12.oh.us/ccesc/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=zrGmE7RDN8s%3D&tabid=69&mid=879


4. Stages- Stages is a computer software program with seven stages mainly related to language. The website below has some excellent images of the software.


Stages
https://www.spectronicsinoz.com/catalogue/stages-assessment-program


5. HAAT- This framework stands for ‘Human, activity, assistive, technology’. The HATT model was developed to analyze the complexities of a person with a disability, doing an activity, within a context. HAAT assesses the basic capabilities of the individual and that the activity defines the overall goal of the use of assistive technology.

HAAT
http://assistivetech-4alllearners.wikispaces.com/file/view/HAAT+model+info.pdf

What I really took from today’s lesson is that assessing an individual requires a wide range of background information. The person administering the assessment must look at a wide range of factors that would impact the student using the assistive technology. It is important to look at what is already being done and what needs are not being met in order to make the best recommendations for the individual.