Assistive Technology Specialist: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Assistive Technology Specialist
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An Assistive Technology Specialist in the field of special education is responsible for assessing the needs of students with disabilities and implementing technology that can support their individual learning. They typically introduce, train, and adapt various technological tools and software designed to aid students in participating fully in their education.
Skills
- Knowledge of various assistive technologies and their applications in special education settings
- Ability to assess students' needs and recommend appropriate assistive technology solutions
- Proficiency in training and supporting students, teachers, and parents in the use of assistive technology
- Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with students, parents, and other education professionals
- Understanding of special education laws and regulations related to assistive technology
- Ability to adapt and customize assistive technology tools to meet individual student needs
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills to address technical issues with assistive technology devices
- Patience and empathy to work with students with diverse learning needs and disabilities
- Organization and time management skills to effectively manage and maintain assistive technology resources
- Continuous learning and staying updated with the latest advancements in assistive technology
Qualifications & Education
- A first degree that provides QTS (qualified teacher status) or TQ (teaching qualification) in Scotland
- Other relevant degree followed by further postgraduate training, such as PGCE or PGDE
- Prior experience in mainstream teaching
- Further training for special needs teaching may be mandatory
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
To get into assistive technology in the UK, you typically need professional certification and a bachelor's degree. However, if you have the right experience and educational background, it may be possible to earn certification without taking training courses.
Three types of assistive technology are text to speech, reading pens, and voice recognition.
An assistive technology specialist is a person who provides support and assistance to individuals with disabilities in accessing distance education, electronic information, and alternate media services. They are responsible for answering questions, providing technical assistance, and conducting research on access issues and needs.
The role of an assistive technology professional is to analyze the needs of individuals with disabilities, help them select the appropriate assistive technology devices, and provide training on how to use these devices effectively.
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