Information & Referral
What is Assistive Technology (AT)?
These definitions also appear in the Tech Act Legislation (P.L.100-407) which has been adopted in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
IDEA defines an assistive technology device as:
...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. [20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Section 1401 (25)].
This definition is broad and includes a range of devices from low technology to high technology items as well as software.
Under IDEA the legal definition of assistive technology services is:
...any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. [20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Section 1401 (26)]
Specifically, assistive technology services include:
- the evaluation of the needs of an individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the individual in the individual's customary environment;
- purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities;
- selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology services;
- coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
- training or technical assistance for an individual with disabilities, or, where appropriate, the family of an individual with disabilities; and
- training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of individuals with disabilities.
Information and Referral Links
- Disability Linkage Line - Your link to Minnesota disability services and supports. Toll Free 1-866-333-2466.
- MinnesotaHelp.info - An informational, searchable Web site for help in your community.
- Directory of Funding Resources for Assistive Technology in Minnesota - A searchable database for funding of assistive technology in Minnesota, includes information about the search for funding process. For a hard copy of the Funding Directory, contact STAR at 651-201-2640,Toll-Free 1-888-234-1267, or e-mail star.program@state.mn.us.
- Equipalife - Two low-interest loan programs for people with disabilities. For more information contact 763-479-8239 or Toll Free 1-866-535-8239.
- Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD) is the comprehensive disabilities resource for lawmakers, agencies, non-profits, businesses and individuals. The Minnesota State Council on Disability helps advance the rights of Minnesotans with disabilities. We do this by linking people with disabilities to those who legislate, plan and deliver services to them. If you make the laws or need to abide by them, or if you provide services or need information about laws and services, you can call on us at 651-296-6785 or at disability@state.mn.us.
- AT Links - Links to Assistive Technology Web sites.
- Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center - A central source for people with disabilities, their families, and professionals to obtain current information about assistive technology products and services. Toll Free 1-800-537-2237.
- PACER's Simon Technology Center has a featured called PACER Super Service, that links people with useful products and equipment, to those looking for such items.
- Telephone Equipment Distribution Program (TED) Program provides specialized telephone equipment at NO CHARGE for Minnesota residents of all ages who have difficulty using a regular telephone due to a hearing loss, speech or physical disability. Eligibility requirements do apply. For more information call 651-297-1507, Toll Free 1-800-657-3663, or 1-888-206-6555 (TTY).
Assistive Technology Specialist Website Information
Minnesota has skilled Assistive Technology (AT) Specialists, but they can be difficult to find because there is no one credential that assures competence, no specific professional degree to look for, and no registry of AT Specialists to help consumers, service providers, and payers. A task force facilitated by the STAR Program developed the following guide to assist in the selection of an AT Specialist.
STAR does not endorse or recommend any particular individual or agency. The posting of this information to STAR's website does not imply endorsement by STAR's funders, the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research nor the State of Minnesota. This information is educational in nature. Let the buyer beware.
There are no generalists in AT service delivery. Service providers specialize in one or two areas that are generally related. Selection of an AT Specialist should be guided by the identified need of the person with a disability.
Skills expected of an AT Specialist within their specialization(s):
- Have a knowledge base.
- Know other resources including related services and be willing to bring them in.
- Know about people with disabilities.
- Understand capabilities of people with disabilities.
- Know how AT and people with disabilities interrelate.
- Know funding sources and how to use them.
- Complete an evaluation/assessment.
- Document findings.
- Research available commercial products.
- Determine appropriate equipment.
- Perform system set-up/integration into environment.
- Provide training.
- Provide consultation.
- Operate under a code of ethics.
Specialty Areas
- Seating and positioning.
- Orthotics and Prosthetics [ footnote 1 ].
- Environmental Access (home modification).
- Computer Access – software and hardware.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
- Electronic Aids for Daily Living (environmental control).
- Transportation (adapted vehicles).
- Mobility aids (wheelchair, scooters, etc).
- Instructional Aids/Aids for living (low tech).
- Recreational.
- Vocational (employment related).
(Note: switch access was determined to be a component of several of the above categories).
Footnote #1: Orthotists and Prosthetists have stringent requirements for practice and reimbursement. For additional information on their qualifications and quality assurance, go to Global Resource for Orthotics & Prosthetics Information.
Demonstrable/Objective Criteria
| Criteria | Example | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Degree: OT, PT, SLP, Teacher, Rehab Engineer, ORC, CRC, CVE | College degree from AT related area (Health Care & Human Services) | Course descriptions / transcripts / degree |
| Associate Degree: COTA, PTA, Electronics Tech, Orthotics Tech | Degree from AT related area (Health Care & Human Services) | Course descriptions / transcripts / degree |
| Practice: Work under supervision, Work with a team, Work with credentialed people in AT-related area | Working title | Position description, Letter of support, Performance Review, Names & credentials of team members, Name & AT-related credential of direct supervisor |
| Formal Training: Established AT curriculum, May be a structured on-the-job training program. | Certificates from training / technical courses; Credentialing based on formal course work: RIATT, ATP/ATS, RESNA AT course, CSUN AT Course | Course description / objectives & instructor qualifications and credential; certificate; documentation of qualifications of onsite trainer, mentor, direct supervisor |
| Continuing Education: AT related workshops, independent study, teleconferences, research, conferences, etc., Trained by manufacturer, Self-directed learning with practical application, Vendor inservice | AT Conferences such as CSUN, CTG, RESNA, USAAC, ISAAC, ASHA, RIATT, etc., AOTA's Self-study Course on AT | Documentation required, Must be verifiable with written proof of participation |
Based on the degree of risk for harm – physical, financial, limitation of potential function due to error, etc. the AT Specialist Task Force divided the service areas in to high risk and moderate risk areas and made recommendations for experience/training for each category.
High Risk
Rating of the categories of AT Service by the group found that high risk for harm categories were:
- Seating and positioning.
- Orthotics and prosthetics.
- Transportation (drivers training with adapted vehicles).
- Mobility aids (wheelchair, scooters, etc).
Recommendations for a minimum standard/guide for being an entry-level AT Specialist in these High Risk areas are:
- A professional degree with 2 years of practice and 100 hours of formal training or continuing education, or
- An associate degree with 4 years of practice and 100 hours of formal training or continuing education, or
- Eight years of directly supervised practice and 200 hours of formal training and 200 hours of continuing education.
Directly supervised practice is defined as full-time work with hands on experience in application of AT with the person and the equipment under the direct supervision of an experienced AT-related degreed professional or within the context of a team.
Moderate Risk
Categories identified as some or moderate risk are:
- Environmental Access (home modification).
- Computer Access – software and hardware.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
- Electronic Aids for Daily Living (environmental control).
- Instructional Aids/Aids for Living (low tech).
- Recreational.
- Vocational.
Recommendations:
- A professional degree with 2 years of practice and 100 hours of formal training or continuing education, or
- An associates degree with 4 years of practice and 100 hours of formal training or continuing education, or
- Two years of directly supervised practice and 4 years of mentored practice and 200 hours of formal training and 200 hours of continuing education.
Mentored practice is full-time practice that involves hands on experience in application of Assistive Technology with the person and the equipment with mentoring by a person with expertise in the area.
Continuing Education for High and Moderate Risk
Recommended annual continuing education once meeting the basic criteria of AT Specialist is 20 hours in each specialty area of practice.
Sample questions one might ask an assistive technology practitioner:
- What is your experience and training? (See grid of demonstratable / objective criteria for guidance.)
- What categories of assistive technology do you know well? (see listings of skills and categories of AT.)
- Are your services reimbursable and by whom?
- What is involved in your AT assessment/evaluation process?
- May I see a sample of a letter of medical necessity that you have written?
- If the AT you recommend is denied, will you work with me through the appeal process?
Disclaimer
STAR and the AT Specialist Task Force encourage consumers to be wise purchasers of service. Use the information on this website to screen or interview your AT practitioners to evaluate their ability to provide you with a quality AT-related service.
STAR does not endorse or recommend any particular individual or agency. The posting of this information to STAR's website does not imply endorsement by STAR's funders, the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research, nor the State of Minnesota. This information is educational in nature.
This web site will allow for a listing of individuals who have identified themselves as AT Specialists based on their self-assessment. STAR does not recommend any individual or certify the accuracy of their expertise. STAR does not guarantee the accuracy of the information of the individuals posted as AT Specialists. STAR does not check the references or background of the AT Specialists posted. Buyer Beware.
(Note Service Providers: To be listed in this directory, please e-mail the following information to STAR.Program@state.mn.us).
Directory of Minnesota AT Specialists
This is NOT an exclusive list. Only service providers who have chosen to identify themselves are listed.
| Name/Title | Address/Phone | Areas of Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Assistive Technology Center (RATC) | Regional Assistive Technology Center Higher Education Center Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN 56563 Telephone: 218.477.2288 Email: swansonm@mnstate.edu |
|
| EquipAlife (formerly ATMn) | Daniel M. Stores, B.A., ATP, Assistive Technology Program Manager PO Box 310 5563 Pioneer Creek Drive Maple Plain, MN 55359-0310 Telephone: 763.479.8239 Email: dstores@atmn.org |
|
| Mayo Clinic Rochester: AT Program | Tamara Vos-Draper, O.T.R./L, ATP Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Saint Mary's Hospital 3 Mary Brigh Mayo Clinic 200 First Street SW Rochester, Minnesota 55905 Phone: 507.255.4605 Email: vosdraper.tamara@mayo.edu Web: www.mayoclinic.org |
|
| People Achieving Change Through Technology (PACTT) - a program of Ability Building Center |
1911 14th Street NW Rochester, Minnesota 55901 Phone: 507.535.7101 (Direct) Phone: 507.281.6262 (Main) Fax: 507.281.6270 Email: michaelb@abcinc.org |
|
| PACER/Simon Technology Resource Ctr. | 8161 Normandale Boulevard Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044 Phone: 1.800.537.2237 or 952.838.9000 TTY: 952.838.0190 Fax: 952.838.0199 Email: stc@pacer.org |
|
| Jeni Mundl Assistive Technology Specialist Courage Center |
3915 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55422 Phone: 763.520.0567 TTY: 763.520.0557 Fax: 763.520.0861 Email: jenim@courage.org |
|
| Linda Potts, MEd, OTR, ATP Assistive Technolgy Specialist ISD 199, Inver Grove Heights School District |
9167 Cahill Avenue East Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076-3214 Phone: 651.306.7159 or 651.749.7951 Fax: 651.306.7295 Email: pottsl@invergrove.k12.mn.us |
|
| Kim Lewandowski OT, Supervisor Courage Saint Croix |
1460 Curve Crest Boulevard Stillwater, MN 55082 Phone: 651.351.2353 |
|
| Barbara Cochran Registered Occupational Therapist, Geriatric Specialist |
10302 Humboldt Circle Bloomington, MN 55431 Phone: 952.888.0055 Fax: 952.884.5226 Email: cochb@aol.com |
|
| Jeff Shoemaker, Speech/Language Pathologist, Assistive Technology Services, Fergus Falls RTC |
128 Junius Avenue West Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Phone: 218.739.7455 Cell: 218.831.5350 Fax: 218.739.7243 TTY: 218.739.7455 |
|
| Patricia Bahr MSE/ATP/RET Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Mobile Outreach Clinic |
200 University Avenue East St. Paul, MN 55101 Phone: 651.634.1911 or 800.578.4266 (toll free) Fax: 651.628.4484 Email: pbahr@gillettechildrens.com |
|
| Mary VanRavenhorst OTR/L Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. |
309 Holly Lane Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 507.388.5437 Fax: 507.388.2108 Email: mrvotr@hickorytech.net |
|
| Robert Meyer ATP Gillette Lifetime Specialty Healthcare |
550 County Road D New Brighton, MN 55112 TTY Phone: 800.578.4266 Fax: 651.628.4484 Email: rmeyer@gillettechildrens.com |
|
| Wayne A. Rudberg Gillette Lifetime Specialty Healthcare |
550 County Road D New Brighton, MN 55112 Phone: 651-634-1902 TTY Phone: 800.578.4266 Fax: 651.628.4484 Email: wrydberg@gillettechildrens.com |
|
| April A. Pate ATP Gillette Lifetime Specialty Healthcare |
550 County Road D New Brighton, MN 55112 Phone: 651-634-1913 TTY Phone: 800.578.4266 Fax: 651.628.4484 |
|
| Bruce Tew Gillette Lifetime Specialty Healthcare |
550 County Road D New Brighton, MN 55112 Phone: 651-634-1903 TTY Phone: 800.578.4266 Fax: 651.628.4484 |
|
| Jolene Hyppa Martin MA, CF-SLP Assistant Clinical Specialist of Assistive Technology University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders |
225 Bohannon Hall 1207 Ordean Court Duluth, MN 55812 Phone: 218.726.8199 TTY: 218.726.8199 Fax: 218.726.8693 Email: jhyppama@d.umn.edu |
|
| Mark Mizuko, PhD, CCC-SLP Professor & Dept. Head of Communication Sciences and Disorders University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders |
230 Bohannon Hall 1207 Ordean Court Duluth, MN 55812 Phone: 218.726.7974 TTY: 218.726.8199 Fax: 218.726.8693 Email: cd@d.umn.edu |
|
| Alexandra (Allie) Hafez OTR/L, CDMS, CCM, QRC |
PO Box 356 Prior Lake, MN 55372-0356 Phone: 612-338-6525 Fax: 952-440-6846 |
|
| D. Mae Ceryes Special Education Teacher, AT Practioner (RESNA) |
48983 County Hwy. 31 Vergas, MN 56587 Phone: 218-863-2508 or 218-234-6670 |
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