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Quality Indicators for Device Demonstrations

April 21, 2009

Lisa KoshDiana Carl

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What are Quality Indicators?

Quality Indicators

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Quality Indicators in Assistive Technology

Initiated in the Fall of 1998 A grass roots effort Validated by hundreds of

practitioners and consumers

Validated by research in 2004

Facilitated by the QIAT Leadership Team

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Purpose of QIAT

Improve quality of services by providing a systematic way of planning, developing, and delivering AT devices and services

Increase consistency of services by providing consistent, clearly understood descriptions of quality AT services

Support implementation IDEA and other legal mandates

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Beneficiaries of QIAT

School districts - quality AT servicesIndividual service providers - continuous improvement Consumers and families - integrated AT servicesUniversities - competent service providersPolicy-makers - judicious policy

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Primary QIAT Tools

Indicators in 8 areas Intent statementsCommon errorsInnovation configuration matrix (ICM) in each

area

Based on the Program Evaluation Standards by the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation and Taking Charge of Change by Hord, Rutherford, Huling-Austin, and Hall.

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QIAT Indicator Areas

Consideration Assessment AT in the IEP Implementation

Evaluation of Effectiveness

Transition Administrative Support Professional

Development

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Matrix

Provides clear, operational terms for implementing an innovation

Identifies the components of an innovation Identifies a number of possible variations that

might be observed in implementation Identifies ideal practice and the variations

considered acceptable

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Quality Indicator

UNACCEPTIBLE

Variations PROMISING PRACTICES

1. The education agency has written procedural guidelines that ensure equitable access toassistive technology devices and services for students with disabilities, if required for a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

1No written procedural guidelines are in place.

2Written procedural guidelines for few components of AT service delivery are in place. (i.e. assessment or consideration)

3Written procedural guidelines that address several components of AT service delivery are inplace.

4Written procedural guidelines that address most components of AT service delivery are inplace.

5Comprehensive written procedural guidelines that address all components of AT service delivery are in place.

Quality Indicators for Administrative Support of Assistive Technology

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QIAT

Visit the QIAT Web site at www.qiat.org Join the QIAT list at the Web site

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Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Device Demonstrations

MethodAdapted from the work of Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) Consortium

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Device Demonstration

Consumers learn about potential devices and categories in a way that assists with making an informed choice about assistive technology.

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Purpose

To be used as a self-assessment tool for programs to identify specific areas in need of improvement for program planning.

To increase consistency of services among Statewide AT Act Programs.

To assist Statewide AT Act Programs with effective implementation of the AT Act requirements.

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Quality Indicators for Device Demonstrations

What it is not intended to do: The indicators and self-assessment matrices

are not monitoring tools that will be used by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), rather they can be used as a self-assessment tool for Statewide Programs that is aligned with RSA monitoring.

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Process

Development Creation and revision of indicators Identification of variations/matrix elements

Validation Wide distribution – input from field

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Background

Development Fall 2007 – Work Group formed, drafted document of

practices Spring 2008 – Document shared at Annual

Conference in Salt Lake City – received comments from attendees

Summer/Fall 2008 – Revised document based on comments; formatted practices to match QIAT indicators

Winter 2009 – Revise indicators

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Next Steps

Development Complete draft indicators and self-assessment

matrices

Validation Share draft Indicators with AT Act program

audiences and wider audiences to validate indicators Revise as needed

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Areas

Area A - Comprehensive Statewide Demonstrations

Area B - Access to Appropriate Technology

Area C - Conduct of Effective Demonstrations

Area D – Competencies of Demonstrators Providing Demonstrations

Area E - QI for Referrals

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Area A – QI 1

Indicator

Demonstration programs serve

individuals in all areas of the state in

which they are located.

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Area A – QI 2

Indicator

Assistive technology demonstration

programs serve people of all ages across

the full range of functional needs which

result from any type of disability.

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Area B – QI 1

Indicator

Demonstration programs have access to a

full range of technology items that will

enhance functional capabilities.

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Area B – Q 2

Indicator

Devices used in demonstrations are

representative of the current, available

technology.

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Area B – QI 3

Indicator

Devices used in demonstration are in

working order.

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Area C – QI 1

Indicator

Procedures are clearly defined and

consistently applied.

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Area C – QI 2

Indicator:

Demonstrations are provided in a mutually

agreeable timeframe.

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Area C – QI 3

Indicator

Communication prior to the demonstration

includes a discussion of the functional

needs of the individual and provides an

overview of what to expect during the

demonstration.

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Area C – QI 4

Indicator

Devices are demonstrated in a logical

grouping so that people are shown a variety

of appropriate devices to meet their needs.

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Area D – QI 1

Indicator:

Those performing demonstrations have the

knowledge and skills needed to understand

the needs of diverse individuals of all ages.

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Area D – QI 2

Indicator

Those conducting demonstrations have

knowledge of a full range of AT devices.

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Area D – QI 3

Indicator

Collectively, those conducting

demonstrations can apply their knowledge

and skill that is needed to demonstrate AT

devices based on the individual’s unique

needs and abilities.

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Area E – QI 1

Indicator

The program builds and maintains a current

Network of AT professionals who have the

Expertise to conduct evaluations, make

specific recommendations for assistive

technology devices and services, and

provide and supply equipment.

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Area E – QI 2

Indicator

A variety of information is available for the

individual to explore funding options for

acquisition of assistive technology devices.

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Area E – QI 3

Indicator

Individuals are provided comprehensive

information about state and local assistive

technology vendors, providers, and repair

services.