Strategic Partnership: Vocational Evaluation and Assistive Technology

13th National Forum on Issues in Vocational Assessment

Joseph Ashley Juliet Fried Anthony Langton

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Assistive Technology: Leveling the Playing Field

“For Americans without disabilities, technology makes things easier.For Americans with disabilities, technology makes things possible.”

Mary Pat Radabaugh, 1990

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Technology is often literally the interface between person and environment. The ability to access and use technology is likely to play a pivotal role in functionally redefining disability, and in bridging the wide gulf between what “significant disability” means to the disability community, and what it means today in the business/employer community.

Alexandra Enders, 2004

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Work in progress . . .

For over twenty years efforts have been underway to integrate assistive technology (AT) in vocational evaluation

What has limited this from becoming a reality in more settings?

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Our Shared Vision

Help to strengthen the field of vocational evaluation

Contribute to improved rehabilitation outcomes

Realization that the concept of disability is changing

Desire to maximize potential of persons served

AT should be an integral part

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Assistive Technology (AT) and Vocational Evaluation:

In order to remain relevant and to address the barriers to employment faced by people with significant disabilities, vocational evaluation and career assessment practitioners must integrate assistive technology into the evaluation and assessment process to increase employment opportunities; to aid in the removal of barriers; and, to enhance the capability of individuals to accomplish essential skills and functions.

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To accomplish this, vocational evaluation and career assessment professionals must work to ensure that participants have appropriate technology available and have a level of proficiency with the devices to ensure maximum performance within the assessment and evaluation process.

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AT and Vocational Evaluation

Expands choices and opens up vocational options for persons with most severe disabilities

Offers a means to “level the playing field” for many

Not a Panacea - but AT is a key resource to have available for many persons

AT can integrate and fit well within comprehensive VE process

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VE and AT Services: Survey Findings

Awareness Issues Cost/Funding

Concerns Access to

information and Resources

Logistical Issues Impact on

Standardization

Limited Time for AT

Need for Technical Support

Training Needs VE Process

Restraints

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Challenges and Barriers

Perceptions/Limited Awareness Threats to Vocational Evaluation Lack of Knowledge of AT Money/Equipment Staff/Training Issues Logistics and Coordination Lack of Clear Directives Connections to outcomes unclear

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VE and AT: Which comes first?

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VE and AT: Options Available

1. Traditional service delivery boundaries could be maintained

2. VE programs can infuse AT into existing service delivery

3. AT programs could add vocational assessment into existing service delivery

4. VE and AT can be combined to form fully integrated, hybrid service delivery option

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Possible “Tech Points” in the Vocational Evaluation Process

Pre-Evaluation Preparation Initial Interview Evaluation Planning Administering assessment

tasks and activities Conducting career exploration Developing Recommendations

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Strategic Partnerships and Alliances

Implementing assistive technology services requires resources and technical expertise

Establishing partnerships and cooperative agreements should be one consideration

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Promising Practices

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Next Steps . . .

If AT part of your vision for vocational evaluation . . .

What is your strategic plan to carry this out ?

Who will champion your efforts?

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Direct questions or follow-up to:

Pathfinder AssociatesSuite 301712 Woodcreek Ct.Columbia, SC 29212803.767.8043Info@pathfinderassociates.netwww.pathfinderassociates.net