Overview of the Web-Based Skills Inventory for
Assistive Technology Assessment Competencies

Overview

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (IDEA (§300.304(c)(1)(v)) makes it clear that the IEP teams make decisions about the assistive technology needs of students.  Assistive technology assessments are often conducted in order to provide the IEP team with the information needed to make an appropriate decision.  Given the breadth of the definition of assistive technology devices and services and the complexity of issues related to technology and educational achievement, the importance of effective assistive technology assessments, conducted by qualified assistive technology personnel cannot be understated.  IDEA requires districts to assure that assessments are conducted by trained and knowledgeable personnel.  Florida school districts have specially trained assistive technology specialists to help meet IDEA mandates.  These Local Assistive Technology Specialists (LATS) provide leadership to school district personnel and families across a range of activities related to the effective selection, acquisition, and use of assistive technology devices and services to support the achievement of students with disabilities in Florida schools.  A critical element of this leadership focuses on assessment of student technology needs to promote success in academic environments.

To ensure that this requirement is met, the Department of Education has recommended assistive technology assessment competencies for LATS and other technology providers who assess students for needed technology accommodations.  These competencies focus on fundamental concepts, knowledge, and skills for assessing assistive technology in educational settings.  They are crafted from the perspective of the assistive technology professional working with students at the school and district level in the state of Florida and consequently are specific to Florida.

To assists LATS and technology providers, the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) in conjunction with the Florida Center for Interactive Media (FCIM) and the FDLRS Regional Technology Specialists have developed a Web-based competency management tool, which will allow technology providers to meet and manage competency achievement through a skills inventory procedure.

Each LATS, assistive technology specialists, or district assistive technology provider is encouraged to complete the Skills Inventory Self-Assessment.  To access the Skills Inventory you must log-in.  To obtain a username and password, contact your FDLRS Regional Technology Specialist.  You can view the competencies, benchmarks, indicators and resources without a password.

 
This competency management tool includes:

• an online tool that will allow technology specialists to perform a skills inventory self-assessment of needed competencies
• links to resources to meet professional development needs identified by the skills inventory
• information to aid in the development of individual professional growth plans based on identified skill gaps.
• a structure to help assistive technology providers understand job requirements, maintain currency, and provide a credible record of achieved skills.
• a list of skills that district directors and administrators may use to identify expertise needed for technology positions.
• support by FDLRS Regional Technology Specialists in learning the online system.
• a system designed to assure current information through updates of links to current materials.
• consolidated data available for easy retrieval and analysis to determine types of training and skills needed.
• security measures to protect user data.