Diana works with students, educators, reated therapists, families, individuals, organizations, public and private schools, K-12 as well as post-secondary. AT for Education provides Assistive Technology Evaluations, Recommendations, Training for individuals,Training for students and educational teams, training for districts, as well as follow-up consultation, maintenance, and support. We also work with disability providers in Colleges and Universities to provide AT training for literacy software, apps, magnification, Screen readers, Smart Pens, Voice Recognition as well as consultation on Assistive Technology and Alternative Text Production for college students. Services are provided primarily in New England. AT for education also provides Assistive Technology testing of websites, and consultation regarding website accessibility, and 508 compliance. Diana provides larger workshops and trainings on apps for education and related therapy, as well as apps for special education, for the iPad and mobile devices, as well as google apps. To view a schedule of upcoming trainings, see the Calendar.
Services for individuals include Assistive Technology assessments, recommendations, and training , including access to education, employment and ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living).
Services for Schools and Districts
In order to schedule an Assistive Technology evaluation for a specific student, first the school, agency, individual, or organization needs to:
- Schedule an initial consultation meeting with Diana in person or via conference call. Contact Diana at dp.atspecialist@gmail.com, or call 603-998-4980
- The teachers, related therapists and parents or guardians must fill out our pre-assessment/ student information forms. (K-12 Only)
- Send Diana the student’s IEP and relevant test scores from other assessments (ie: neuropsych, vision, reading,OT/PT etc.). (K-12 Only)
- Diana will call the Case Manager, DSS coordinator or director, or Special Ed. administrator to schedule the AT Assessment, as well as in-school observations and follow-up meetings, training and support.
Teachers, related therapists, case managers and the family are all invited to attend the meetings. Follow-up services are also available at the student’s home.
**FREE Assistive Technology: There are SEVERAL Free options for assistive technology. Free magnification and accessibility features, free literacy software, free voice recognition, free apps for the iPad, free audio and e-books, free apps and extensions in Google Chrome, etc. We will explore all of your free options with you, as well as provide training to use the free technology and programs. The pros and cons of the free technologies versus paid technologies will be explained and demonstrated.
Services for Individuals, Students, and Families
Do you have or know a child, student or an individual who has one or more following concerns?
- Dyslexia or other learning disability
- Struggling with the Reading or Writing Process
- Reading challenges or delays
- Low Vision or Blind
- Deaf/ Hard of Hearing
- Fine Motor Difficulties or Physical Access Challenges
- Physical limitations preventing the use of a standard keyboard and mouse
- Difficulty with Attention, Organization, Time Management or “time-on-task”
- Executive Function Difficulties
- Autism
- Communication or Speech Challenges
- Needs or Responds better to a multi-sensory approach to Learning
He or she may benefit greatly from an Assistive Technology Evaluation.
Professional Development Training Services
Diana also provides Professional Development Workshops to Train Staff and Students (hands-on) on the use of selected AT (Assistive Technology) software and devices, both operational skills and application strategies. She provides workshops to access and utilize assistive technologies such as Bookshare, Read and Write Gold/Literacy Software, ZoomText, Dragon/Voice Recognition, LiveScribe Smart Pen, AAC or switch access, Google Apps & Extensions,Refreshable Braille Displays as well as iPad Accessibility and iPad or iOS Apps for specific grades, skills, abilities, disabilities, learning goals and daily living (ADL’s). Training for android apps and free options in Chrome is also provided. (ie: Apps for Reading/Writing/Notetaking/scheduling/Math, Apps for Science/Gov’t/History, Apps for Blind/Low Vision users, Apps for Related Therapists, Apps for access and ADL’s, etc).
A well thought out approach for a specific/individual assistive technology evaluation may consist of any number of the following services:
- AT Assessment – Work with students, educators, and others to identify appropriate AT devices and services for the student’s academic goals; if needed, observe in school and the community, provide written report, attend IEP meetings (K-12).
- Acquisition of Technology – Identify and recommend sources of AT and assist with purchase and acquisition.
- Technology Configuration – Technical assistance configuring devices and software to student’s needs and preferences. Also, assisting IT personnel configuring AT software on school’s computers and advise to the required technology, hardware and specifications needed.
- Assistive Technology Training- for the selected/ purchased/ acquired assistive technology, for the student and education team.
- Modifications and adaptations to furniture, environment, iPad, AAC, and computer to ensure equal access to the curriculum.
- Alternative Accessible Formats of Books & Materials – Assistance with acquiring and converting materials to alternative formats, such as audio, digital, electronic Braille, large font, DAISY, Word, PDF,EPub, or others for use with AT such as text-to-speech/literacy software, DAISY players, iPad apps. or magnification, etc. Advising on the best sources for specific types of materials such as Bookshare, APH, NIMAC, NLS, and others depending on the format needed and how it will be used.
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – Help educators adopt U.D.L. practices through incorporation of various instructional technologies such as interactive whiteboards, literacy software, iPads and Apps, graphic organizers, free websites and resources and others.
- In-Class follow-up support – As needed, Diana can observe the individual or student in appropriate environments in which the assistive technology will be utilized. Strengths, abilities and learning styles of the individual will be considered and built upon. Diana can provide staff training and time in the classroom to work with the student and teacher in using the assistive technology solution, matching AT solutions with the student’s academic goals and helping to integrate the new tools into daily curriculum.
- Other Professional Services – Collaboration and Consultation on Assistive Technology related inquiries, Assistive Technology Assessments, Alternative Text Production, and 508 Compliance for websites and documents.
- Services for everyone! – Hands-on workshops arranged on-request for small groups of 15-50 people, training on iPad Accessibility and Apps for Education, Communication/AAC, Software & Hardware/ AT Devices, Magnification, Voice Recognition Options, LiveScribe SmartPen, Free AT solutions, and more.
Areas Served
AT for Education works primarily with schools and families in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont. Services are usually delivered in the client’s school or home, though other arrangements are possible.
Fees
General questions and discussions via phone or email are provided at no charge. For more specific services rates are as follows:
- Assistive Technology Assessments – AT assessment costs do vary depending on numerous factors, for example: the extent of solutions sought, whether classroom observations are needed, whether a written report is required, and I.E.P. meeting attendance. Formal A.T. assessments with a written reportand demonstration of technology options generally range from $800 to $1500, depending on the factors mentioned above. Once you have discussed the specifics of what you need, we can provide you with an estimate.
- Hourly Rate – $95 per hour for time spent onsite with client including training, consultation, assessment, workshops, meetings and time spent providing specific services, such as configuring computer software. There is a flat one-hour charge for document review, such as reading evaluations/testing and I.E.P.’s. There is no charge for email exchanges or phone calls, unless the phone call is scheduled as a meeting substitute or a conference call to remotely attend an I.E.P. meeting, for example.
- Travel – For most locations in New England within a two-hour round trip from the Lakes Region in New Hampshire there is no charge for travel. For locations outside of that range there is a $25 charge to cover travel mileage expenses.
To learn more about why having an AT evaluation is important, visit this page. To contact Diana with any questions or to schedule an assessment or consultation you may reach her by email at DP.ATSpecialist@gmail.com, by phone at (603) 998-4980.
