The mission of Tots n’ Tech is threefold:

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

EI Assistive Technology National Research Institute: A Collaboration Between Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia) & Arizona State

University

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

The mission of Tots n’ Tech is threefold:(1) to study prevalence, policy and resources, individualized decision making, training and support, funding and other factors related to use of assistive technology (AT) devices and services in early intervention.(2) to disseminate current knowledge and research findings in timely ways to families, multidiscipline EI providers, administrators, educators ad policymakers using a variety of methods and approaches.(3) to partner with parents of children with disabilities, with individuals with disabilities, in the design and implementation of the national research program.

Mission

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Goals

Gain an Understanding of Patterns of AT Prevalence and Use

Understand and Improve Individualized AT Decision Making and Practices in Early Intervention

Multi-Media Dissemination of Institute Findings and Products

Describe and Understand Policy and Resources that Promote AT in Early Intervention

Identify Optimal Training/TA Practices for Establishing & Maintaining Knowledgeable Adults to Support Children’s AT use

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Today You will learn about…• What Providers Told Us• Prevalence of State policy • Existing AT Tools Related to

Decision Making• Resources

– Training materials/curricula– Informational Booklets

• How Your Community can Participate in the Institute

Policy and Resources

Training/TA Practices

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Initial Provider SurveyN = 976 (N = 450 in follow-up survey)• 98% Female• Education Level

– 61% Master’s Degree– 35% Bachelor’s

• Yrs wk with I/T M = 9.95 (s.d. 7.24 yrs)• Community

– Urban 13%– Suburban 26%– Rural 21%– Combination 39%

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

We asked providers… (N = 450)

• Engaged in and to what extent with in the last 3 years:– Workshops/Presentations– College Course– Self-Study– Mentoring– Technology Fair/Expo– Other



OSEP~NECTAC 2005

What Providers Told Us… (N = 450)

Workshops

72% attended ---- 48% V. Helpful

M = 19.4 hours (s.d. 28.1 hrs)

College Course


M = 15 c.h. (s.d. 25.8 c.h.)

Internet Self-Study


M = 24 hours (s.d. 48.9 hrs)

Mentoring (formal)


M = 47.5 hours (s.d. 93.4 hrs)

Tech Fairs/Expos


M = 12.7 hours (s.d. 13.2 hrs)

Video, CD, Manual Self Study


M = 18.9 hours (s.d. 32.4 hrs)

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Policy documents (N = 44 states)

61% (27) states indicate they have state EI statutes

71% (31) states indicate they have state EI regulations



OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Resources for making decisions (N = 50 states) 36- 44%

• Specific policies• Specific

guidelines• “Things to

consider” list • Statements

considering the continuum of AT

10 - 20%

• Flow charts • Check lists • Criteria lists• Assessment

forms• Process used to

acquire AT devices and services



OSEP~NECTAC 2005

AT Implementation plan (N = 50 states)

24% - 36%

• Determine when AT will be used

• How AT will be used in natural settings

• What will be done• Who will do it



OSEP~NECTAC 2005

AT Tools… (N = 50 states)

28% - 30%

• Ownership of AT devices

• AT when a child transitions

< 4%

• Specified device loan time

• Location to trade devices

• Lost/stolen devices

• Insurance for devices



OSEP~NECTAC 2005

AT Tools… (N = 50 states)

54%

During Use…

• Repairing• Replacing • Maintaining

<16%

Previously used…

• Recycled• Added to lending

library• Returned to

school/purchaser• Parent Buy-out

option



OSEP~NECTAC 2005

National Document Collection: Informational Sources

Part C or designated State contact

Comprehensive web searches

University Centers on Disability

Technology Act Program Directors



OSEP~NECTAC 2005

What we found… (N = 102 docs.)

General trainer/organization information ~ website print-outs, phone/email communication, no materials

Informational booklets ~ reference materials that individuals can use through self-study

Handouts ~ handouts associated with workshops/presentations

Assessment tools ~ tools for parents/providers to determine AT needs

Training curricula ~ training presentation package

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Providers of resources… (N = 67 docs)

State offices

Private organizations

Universities

Specific devices/services 79%Funding 49%Policies/procedures 46%Monitoring/evaluations 30%

Awareness 89%Skill-building 52%Implementation 34%

Parents and providers: 70%Target audience

Content

Intent

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

With regard to training… (N = 49 docs)Delivery format

• Interactive 67%• Didactic

65%• Consultatio

33%• Mentoring 6%• Self-study 6%

Duration

• Single 63%

• Continuous 49%

• Series 35%



OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Summary…Policy and Resources


There is a clear need for increased number of trainings and reference materials which focus on AT for the infant/toddler population.

Most trainings found were focused on general transference of knowledge about AT, and limited trainings focused on improving parents or providers’ use of AT in the context of service delivery.

Providers reported little variability in the types of training accessed. Providers most frequently reported attending a workshop/presentation.

Clearly, parents and providers need more opportunities to gain knowledge about AT, such as the development of trainings and training materials which focus on best practices of AT use with infants and toddlers.

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Organization of materials…

• National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children and Youth who are Deaf-Blind (NTAC) – Outcomes and Performance Indicators for

• Service Providers • Children and Youth • Families• Systems

» September 2004

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Example

Service providers are given tools to develop IFSP

3. Service provider's use of strategies for effective IFSP/IEP development for children with special needs has increased.

√ focuses on consideration and documentation

OR - Assistive Technology Model Operating Guidelines (mostly for school-age but has applications for EI)

CO- Assistive Technology for Infants, Toddlers, Children & Youth with Disabilities

General Outcome

Modified NTAC Outcome

QIAT Indicators

DEC R.P. Documents

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Time to Peruse……•AT Tools Related to Decision Making

•Resource Materials– Training

materials/curricula– Informational

Booklets

Next Steps…

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Next Steps…

AT Best Practice Field Test

30 communities

3 or 4 providers

1 designatedResearch Coordinator

OSEP~NECTAC 2005

Nominate a Community in Your State

AT Best Practice Field Test