University of Dundee, Disability Services 1 See the ability not disability, image by Korean artist inspired by UNDP's work in Kazakhstan

University of Dundee, Disability Services 2 The role of an Assistive Technologist in needs assessment Andy McMahon IT Disability Support Specialist

University of Dundee, Disability Services 3 University of Dundee Regional Access Centre –Generally DSA referrals from NE scotland –Complex assessments referred from local HEI’S & FE’s for students on HE courses –Conduct almost all DSA assessments for University of Dundee students 6 assessors (4 of which are Disability Advisors, IT Disability Support Specialist, 1 Manager) Some Access to Work assessments

University of Dundee, Disability Services 4 Knowledge Supplier & equipment management – AT evaluation – Training of assessors – Maintaining assessment equipment – How AT is part of a solution – Assessment participation Knowledge Supplier & equipment management AT evaluation Training of assessors/CPD Maintaining assessment and loan equipment Solutions, not technology Assessment participation

University of Dundee, Disability Services 5 Supplier & equipment management Suppliers will push equipment which attracts greatest margin of profit Ensure you have an account manager at the supplier(s) Have more than one supplier to avoid complacency and encourage competition SAAS auditors require value for money. This does not mean cheap, but assessors/sector need to justify total cost of ownership Computer & AT evaluation – define criteria (battery length, weight, screen size, warranty, durability) Several ATANET institutions evaluate laptops for each academic year Technical support for yourself Supplier & equipment management

University of Dundee, Disability Services 6 AT evaluation Trade shows, be selective but essential to attend –Sight Village, ATANET conference Invite suppliers to demonstrate and leave equipment for testing Test in real world, claims are often overstated Be wary of “functionality coming” statements AT evaluation

University of Dundee, Disability Services 7 Training of assessors/ CPD Essential assessors feel confident in using frequently recommended equipment Push boundaries/preconceptions of how the equipment is used or could be used Monthly sessions, plus 1to1 sessions at Dundee Invite suppliers to provide training and equipment demonstration on regular basis Training of assessors/ CPD

University of Dundee, Disability Services 8 Maintaining assessment equipment Equipment should be serviced regularly and checked prior to needs assessment Sample materials to aid demonstration Help sheets Take away demonstration copies of software A reasonable and varied supply of equipment for a range of learning needs Maintaining assessment equipment

University of Dundee, Disability Services 9 Solutions AT should increase independence and reduce the need for human support Assistive Technology is rarely the solution on its own, consider –Individual learning styles –AT integration with academic study skills –Students’ individual training requirements –Requests to academics to adapt teaching styles –Requests to Schools to adapt teaching and learning resources Solutions

University of Dundee, Disability Services 10 Assessment participation During the assessment –Effective demonstrations –Effective questioning, tasks analyses, goals –Draw on experience Post assessment (complex cases) –Research solutions –Challenge SAAS rejections on new uses of technology and AT Assessment participation

University of Dundee, Disability Services 11 Knowledge You need time to become confident user of technology and AT Provide/undertake AT Training to maintain product knowledge Test AT in your own environment, across subjects areas to evaluate effectiveness Hands-on equipment evaluation System accessibility testing –Simulate AT use on your own systems ( , VLE, library) Test AT with teaching material, become knowledgeable about inclusive teaching –AT can only bridge the gap from own side of the river. Practices and attitudes build from the other side Knowledge