Assistive Technology Resource Bank (ATRB)

This web site provides strategies and helpful hints about how to use assistive technology with young children with disabilities.  The hints and strategies provided on this web site support the philosophy of family-centered care, together with family empowerment. Assistive technology when used well can help to achieve developmental outcomes contained in the IFSP and IEP while the child is enrolled in early childhood programs.

The following basic beliefs provide the basis for the use of assistive technology to help achieve these developmental outcomes:

A piece of technology is not for life.  (children outgrow assistive technology devices just like they outgrow their shoes; new technology comes along that may be better or be a better fit for the child and the task he or she is trying to do) Actual device value does not always equal the "use value." (an inexpensive device can be priceless when used successfully by a child to do a task or an expensive device can be worthless if the child is unable to use it to do the task that the device is suppose to help) A technology device does not provide success by itself. (knowledgeable adults, other materials, and accessible and well-designed learning environments are required for successful use of a device) Technology training should be reasonable and efficient. (if training requires weeks of learning and practice, it may not be worthwhile for the parent or provider to use for a small task) Technology should enhance rather than alter the activity's intent. (example, if children in a class are distracted by the use of a device rather than listening to the child using it as a communication device, it may not server the teacher's or child's purpose) Technology should positively change the child's participation role. (a child's role should always increase their level of participation) The successful use of technology is not only in the selection of appropriate technology for the child, but also subject to the skillful use of the technology. (picking the right device is only the start of experience for the child; he or she has to learn how to use the device skillfully to make that experience successful. Technology in different hands and different situations, brings different results. (one teacher may get a child to have a positive experience using the technology, but that same child may not respond the same way with another adult in a different situation)

Learn more about how to use assistive technology in everyday educational routines, making AT device decisions, and incorporating AT into teaching by clicking on the links on the left navigation bar. 

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