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Training
and Technical Assistance (1998-2003)
|
Best Practices in Assistive Technology (Joy Hammel, Ph.D)
Objective
Participants
will learn best practices for training and supporting older adults with I/DD
in the long term use of assistive devices.
Target Audience
Rehabilitation
professionals, community agency staff, families.
Product Outputs
A training
curriculum on best practices and how to implement them; a train-the-trainers
guide that can be applied in AT clinics, community service agencies, and the
natural home.
Training Content
Strategies
to help individuals overcome the stigma of using assistive devices; techniques
that support the proper use of devices; best practices to support continued
usage; how to identify when devices are not working or not being used properly;
resources for device maintenance and repairs; how participants can implement
best practices within their settings.
Progress to Date
· Over
220 people at 10 sites in two cities have received AT-EI training. Evaluations
have been very positive (average 3.8/4.0 for quality, 3.9/4.0 for value, 95%
would recommend this training to other people).
· A curriculum, Developmental Disability and Aging: Making the Transition
to Older Adulthood Easier Through the Use of Asssitive Technology & Environmental
Interventions, has been developed.
· Over 200 students have been involved in AT-EI coursework and training
with information specific to developmental disability at the Illinois and New
York sites.
· An AT-EI fact sheet was created and is being reviewed by the national
ARC for national dissemination in Year 5.
Utility of the Training
Several homes
have already made changes in their environments as a result of the training.
associated with:
The Identification and Evaluation of Best Practice
Assistive Technology
and Universal Design Solutions and Services for Older Adults with Mental
Retardation(R6.1)
Employ Retention Assistance (TA 5.1)
TA6.1 Applications of Assistive Technologies & Universal
Design
TA6.2 Applications of Americans with Disabilities Act
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