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Strategic Partnership: Vocational Evaluation and Assistive Technology

Strategic Partnership: Vocational Evaluation and Assistive Technology. 13 th National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment Joseph Ashley Juliet Fried Anthony Langton. Assistive Technology: Leveling the Playing Field.

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Strategic Partnership: Vocational Evaluation and Assistive Technology

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  1. Strategic Partnership: Vocational Evaluation and Assistive Technology 13th National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment Joseph Ashley Juliet Fried Anthony Langton

  2. Assistive Technology: Leveling the Playing Field • “For Americans without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For Americans with disabilities, technology makes things possible.” Mary Pat Radabaugh, 1990 National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  3. Technology is often literally the interface between person and environment. The ability to access and use technology is likely to play a pivotal role in functionally redefining disability, and in bridging the wide gulf between what “significant disability” means to the disability community, and what it means today in the business/employer community. Alexandra Enders, 2004 National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  4. Work in progress . . . • For over twenty years efforts have been underway to integrate assistive technology (AT) in vocational evaluation • What has limited this from becoming a reality in more settings? National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  5. Our Shared Vision • Help to strengthen the field of vocational evaluation • Contribute to improved rehabilitation outcomes • Realization that the concept of disability is changing • Desire to maximize potential of persons served • AT should be an integral part National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  6. Assistive Technology (AT) and Vocational Evaluation: • In order to remain relevant and to address the barriers to employment faced by people with significant disabilities, vocational evaluation and career assessment practitioners must integrate assistive technology into the evaluation and assessment process to increase employment opportunities; to aid in the removal of barriers; and, to enhance the capability of individuals to accomplish essential skills and functions. National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  7. To accomplish this, vocational evaluation and career assessment professionals must work to ensure that participants have appropriate technology available and have a level of proficiency with the devices to ensure maximum performance within the assessment and evaluation process. National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  8. AT and Vocational Evaluation • Expands choices and opens up vocational options for persons with most severe disabilities • Offers a means to “level the playing field” for many • Not a Panacea - but AT is a key resource to have available for many persons • AT can integrate and fit well within comprehensive VE process National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  9. Awareness Issues Cost/Funding Concerns Access to information and Resources Logistical Issues Impact on Standardization Limited Time for AT Need for Technical Support Training Needs VE Process Restraints VE and AT Services: Survey Findings National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  10. Challenges and Barriers • Perceptions/Limited Awareness • Threats to Vocational Evaluation • Lack of Knowledge of AT • Money/Equipment • Staff/Training Issues • Logistics and Coordination • Lack of Clear Directives • Connections to outcomes unclear National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  11. VE and AT: Which comes first? National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  12. VE and AT: Options Available • Traditional service delivery boundaries could be maintained • VE programs can infuse AT into existing service delivery • AT programs could add vocational assessment into existing service delivery • VE and AT can be combined to form fully integrated, hybrid service delivery option National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  13. Possible “Tech Points” in the Vocational Evaluation Process • Pre-Evaluation Preparation • Initial Interview • Evaluation Planning • Administering assessment tasks and activities • Conducting career exploration • Developing Recommendations National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  14. Strategic Partnerships and Alliances • Implementing assistive technology services requires resources and technical expertise • Establishing partnerships and cooperative agreements should be one consideration National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  15. Promising Practices National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  16. Next Steps . . . • If AT part of your vision for vocational evaluation . . . • What is your strategic plan to carry this out ? • Who will champion your efforts? National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

  17. Pathfinder Associates Suite 301 712 Woodcreek Ct. Columbia, SC 29212 803.767.8043 Info@pathfinderassociates.net www.pathfinderassociates.net Direct questions or follow-up to: National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

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