Assistive Technology
What is
Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (Section 602 (a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Regional Assistive Technology Project
Regional
Assistive Technology Lending Library
The Assistive
Technology Lending Library and Demonstration Lab equipment and
materials are there in order to enhance our special education
learners' outcomes and quality of life. The Regional
Assistive Technology Lending Library lends equipment to appropriate
school districts, as identified by our Regional Low Incidence
staff, to determine if the specific piece of equipment meets the
technology needs of individual students prior to the school
purchasing a similar piece of equipment.
The Regional Assistive Technology Lending Library lends equipment
to any school district considering technology support for a student
identified under one of the low incidence categories. The
assistive technology needs of the student are determined through
the IEP team process. Appropriate low incidence staff should
be involved in the assistive technology request. Assistive
technology materials are available for short-term loan to assist
the team in determining the effectiveness of specific forms of
technology.
The Regional Assistive Technology Demonstration Lab Provides on-site assistance in enhancing a special needs learner's outcomes with assistive technology through consultation, training, and demonstration.
Assistive Technology Demonstration Lab
Provides on-site assistance in
enhancing a special needs learner's outcomes with assistive
technology through consultation, training, and demonstration.
The demonstration lab is located at the SW/WC Service
Cooperatives. Training and demonstrations are provided for
software and equipment, which requires greater technical
assistance. Those attending the lab are encouraged to come as
a team.
For additional information contact:
Dan
Stores
Assistive Technology/Transition Coordinator
Southwest West Central Service Cooperatives
1420 East College Drive
Marshall, Mn 56258
507/537-2272 (phone)
507/537-7327 (Fax)
dan.stores@swsc.org
Assistive Technology Demonstration Lab
Equipment Catalog
Gillette
Mobile Outreach Clinics
Gillette
Outreach Clinics are made available to anyone (people of all ages
with disabilities,
families, therapists, teachers, counselors, social workers,
etc.). We can provide
general information, demonstration, hands on work, and/or training
for all types
of assistive technology. Some groups can be made available to
talk with clients
about specific needs or to assist with making product
recommendations and setting
goals. The Outreach clinics also provide staff from Gillette
who are equipment
specialists for orthotics (braces), prosthetics (artificial arms
and legs), wheelchair
and other seating systems (for work, home, recreation, school),
and adaptive
equipment (other daily living aids). Vans are brought stocked
with equipment
to provide repairs, make modifications, measure for or take models
for all types
of equipment that might assist a person to work, learn, play or
live more easily.
Outreach
clinics are sponsored by: SW/WC Service Cooperatives Regional
Educational Services, Region 5 S.W.A.T. Network (Southwest
assistive Technology Network), United Way of Southwest
Minnesota, Otto Bremer Foundation and Gillette Children's
Specialty Healthcare.
Gillette
Mobile Outreach Clinic Schedule
For
more information, to schedule an appointment or if you need special
accommodations, please call 1-800-578-4266
Regional Staff
Contact:
Dan
Stores
Assistive
Technology/Transition Coordinator
SW/WC Service
Cooperative
1420 East
College Drive
Marshall, Mn
56258
Phone: (507)
537-2272
Fax:
(507) 537-7327
E-Mail: dan.stores@swsc.org
State
Contact:
Mary
Bettlach
MDE
Assistive Technology Specialist
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 5511-4266
Phone:
651-952-8210
Email: mary.bettlach@state.mn.us
State DAPE
Contact:
Bruce
Suneson
DAPE Specialist
Metro ECSU
4001 Stinson Blvd. NE, Suite 304
Minneapolis, MN 55421
Phone: 612.638.1538
Fax: 612.638.1548
Email: bruce.suneson@metroecsu.org
or bsuneson@charter.net
