Overview
Assistive
Technology (AT) devices and services help people with disabilities participate
more independently within their home, work and educational settings. Students
who have access to AT resources that meet their needs will be more successful
both in high school and as they plan for their futures. Transition planning is
designed to prepare a student for post-secondary educational, employment,
and/or community environments and it is important that AT be a part of that
process. Students, their families, and their education teams need to carefully
consider, plan and document AT needs during this time. This session will
discuss the national priority of transition for state Technology Act Programs
and explore some of the free resources available to support successful AT
transition from high school. Specific strategies to help students successfully
transition with AT will be shared.
Learning Objectives
- Compare one or more differences in expectations, resources, and processes for AT from high school to the community.
- Describe four considerations for successful transitions from high school for students with assistive technology.
- Identify at least three free resources to improve the transition process for students using assistive technology in the high school setting.
Strand
State Assistive Technology Programs
Target Audience
Accessibility Professional; Administrators; AT Specialists; Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities; Consultants/Trainers; Curriculum and Instruction; Disability Services; Educators; Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education; Family Members; Government/Non-Profit Agencies; Instructional Technologist; Paraprofessionals; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Transition Coordinator; Vocational Rehabilitation
Experience Level
Introductory
Content Area
Professional Area
ATIA 2020 Conference Recording
This course was given at the ATIA 2020 Conference on Thursday, January 30, 2020 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs
This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP (General & ATBVI); AOTA; IACET
For: 0.1 CEU Units.
ASHA CE Information:
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: April 1, 2020. This course was offered for 0.10 ASHA CEUs. (Introductory level.)
End date of ASHA CEUs offering: April 30, 2023
Speaker/s:
Maureen Melonis
University of Colorado Denver
Ms. Melonis is Director of Assistive Technology Partners. She is also a Senior Research Instructor and Assistive Technology Specialist in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bioengineering and Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus. Ms. Melonis is the Project Director for the Colorado Assistive Technology Act Program. She serves as an assistive technology consultant to the Colorado Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services Leadership Unit and serves as Principal Investigator for early intervention and assistive technology services in the state. She earned her Master’s degree from Arizona State University as a Speech-Language Pathologist, and worked in private practice, public schools and multi-site preschool networks before joining the University in 1998. In her role at the University, Ms. Melonis has developed numerous training curriculums around assistive technology, adult learning strategies and curriculum development. Her technology development and application research has focused on language development and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as well as early childhood. Ms. Melonis has presented at state, national and international conferences on assistive technology and has published numerous resources in the field.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Maureen Melonis receives a salary from the University of Colorado Denver, where she is the Director at Assistive Technology Partners. Through this position, she manages inter-agency agreements with the Colorado Department of Education, Special Education Department for a statewide program to support the AT needs of students with disabilities in the schools in Colorado and with the Department of Health and Human Services, Early Intervention Colorado where she manages a program to support early interventionists in supporting the AT needs of young children in the state. She also manages the Assistive Technology Act Program of Colorado funded through the Administration for Community Living
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Maureen Melonis serves on the board for the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) but receives no compensation.