Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan/Feb 1996	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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Education Initiative Takes Flight

In October the DATI held six public forums throughout the state to find out what our constituents' greatest AT-related needs were. By far, the issue that was discussed most frequently and with the most emotion had to do with the preparation of educational personnel to meet the technology-related needs of their students. Time and time again, attendees noted that their concerns extended beyond special education personnel to those in general education as well, particularly as the commitment to inclusion becomes more widespread.

These are not new concerns. The DATI, the Delaware Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and many school districts throughout Delaware are devoting considerable effort to improving AT-related knowledge and skills. Beginning in the Fall of 1994, the DATI and DPI co-chaired a task force charged with examining the barriers to assistive technology access for students with disabilities. One of the group's most prominent findings was that access was limited to a great extent by educators' lack of awareness of AT and its applications. As a follow-up, a committee was formed to examine AT training needs. The committee recommended that school districts designate staff to serve as AT Specialists, "point people" who would have significant AT expertise and could serve in a support role to the rest of the personnel in the district. While there was general agreement with the concept, implementation posed considerable challenges: Who would these AT Specialists be? Where would their salaries come from? How would they gain the requisite AT expertise?

DATI staff realized that if we waited until all the issues were resolved, the commencement of training might be delayed indefinitely. Consequently, we began to plan the AT Specialist training curriculum, defining topics and a model for the training. We secured commitments to participate from several district superintendents, and were very encouraged by the interest and involvement evidenced by district personnel. It became clear that additional resources would be needed if we were to implement the plan the way it was evolving. This led to the submission of a proposal to the Department of Commerce, Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program to support both professional training and student and family awareness relative to the educational possibilities afforded by AT. The proposal was successful (see the November/December issue of the AT Messenger for more details), and NEAT-Network for Education and Assistive Technology-will begin offering training in the late winter.

A kick-off reception and orientation session for participants is scheduled for January 22.

There are many other facets to the DATI's education initiative. As this issue of the AT Messenger goes to press, we are awaiting return of the surveys distributed to over 7,200 educators in Delaware. The surveys will provide information about respondents' AT awareness and knowledge, their perceptions of the barriers to AT access in the schools, and the topics about which they would like additional training. This data should help the DATI, individuals districts, and DPI meet the in-service needs of educators more effectively.

The DATI begins 1996 with major activity on the education front. Within the first few weeks of the year, every child receiving special education services in Delaware will take home an invitation to the Open Houses-spotlighting educational applications of AT-to be held at each of the Assistive Technology Resource Centers in January. The New Castle County Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9; Kent County's is Thursday, January 11, and Sussex County's is Friday, January 12. All run from noon until 7 p.m. to accommodate a range of schedules.

For a whole host of reasons, 1996 will be a very important year for students with disabilities who might benefit from assistive technology. The AT Messenger will keep you informed of developments as they unfold.