Models for Assistive Tech Assessment

There are several assistive technology assessment models that are used to assess which assistive technology is best suited to each students needs. One of these is the SETT Framework (Student, Environments, Tasks and Tools) designed by Joy Zabala. http://www.joyzabala.com/

The main questions they look at are,

         

         (1) What are the functional areas of concern. (What does the student need to be able to do that is difficult or impossible to do independently at this time?)

         

         (2) Special needs (Related to area of concern)

         

         (3) Current Abilities (Related to area of concern)

        

         (4) Expectations and concerns

         

         (5) Interests and preferences

Another model is the Education Tech Points designed by Gayl Bowser and Penny Reed. The Education Tech point model incorporates steps that are similar to the referral process used in our education system making this model very compatible within schools. 

The steps are,

(1) Referral

(2) Evaluation

(3) Extended Assessment

(4) Plan Development

(5) Implementation

(6) Periodic Review

Bowser and Reed feel that these steps correspond with what the student needs at each stage of the process. http://www.educationtechpoints.org/

The Has Technology Been Considered Model by Antonette C. Chambers is a very different system. Chambers has created a flow chart to help guide people when trying to assess a students need for assistive technology. This flow chart is user friendly and takes into consideration the problems and successes that you will have when trying to introduce a student to new technology. The flow chart asks:

(1) What do we want the child to do?

(2) What has been tried?

(3) Is it working?

(4) Does the team have necessary knowledge?

(5) Seek assistance or specify what will be tried.

(6) Consideration is ongoing.

The fourth model is The AT CoPlanner Model by Leonard P. Haines, Gladene Robertson, Robert Sanche and colleagues. The AT CoPlanner model has some excellent concepts built into its framework. The model itself encourages a teamwork approach, this allows for input from a greater resource of experienced people. The AT CoPlanner model draws upon the previous models and tries to bring all of them together into one model. The AT CoPlanner model allows people to decide which assessment model will work best in their own situation.