AT Task Force Formed

The Statewide Assistive Technology Education Task Force for Delaware Children & Youth with Disabilities has been formed and is dealing with educational issues related to assistive technology. The Task Force is being co-chaired by Cherritta Matthews, Exceptional Children Team, Department of Public Instruction, and Ron Sibert, Funding Specialist, Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative. The group meets monthly and is charged with the following activities:

• Development and implementation of a plan to ensure that all public school staff are aware of assistive technology and its potential for students with disabilities in Delaware schools.
• Development and implementation of training using a trainer-of-trainers model for appropriate school staff related to the assessment and provision of appropriate assistive technology for Delaware students with disabilities.
• Identification of funding strategies to support the provision of assistive technology for students with disabilities in Delaware.
• Recommendations for the development of guidelines and/or changes to the Administrative Manual: Programs for Exceptional Children related to the provision of assistive technology for Delaware students with disabilities.

The planning components of the Task Force charge will be completed by May, 1994 and submitted to the Exceptional Children Team of DPI and the Advisory Board of DATI for review. The plan will identify any barriers to full implementation of assistive technology services for Delaware children and youth with disabilities and after recommendations for elimination of those barriers. This will include, but is not limited to, funding issues. The plan will document training completed and establish timelines to complete needed training for Delaware educational staff.