Roane State CC Resources

Therapy is my 'thing' and teaching has always been my passion, so I enjoy spending time with the Occupational Therapy Assistant students at Roane State Community College.  I've been invited to offer a guest lecture/hands-on lab for this group every fall for the last 4 years and it's become one of my favorite things to do.  I believe that "adaptive equipment" and "assistive technology" are the SAME thing, just named differently because of the times in which they were defined. People often ask me, "What's the difference between the tools for OT and AT?"   My answer... "Not much at all!" Assistive technologies are simply newer, more technology-based forms of adaptive equipment and the goal for both is always to improve independence.TheRSCC Overview 2014 I showed this week looks at AT as it applies to the accommodation for dysfunction and disability.  I set up a hands-on learning lab and we looked at student profiles in an interactive exercise, offering the OTA students an opportunity to look at what's available and think creatively when choosing AT for specific needs.  On my home page, there is a link to the Assistive Technology Lending Library list2.  The list includes photos and information about specific tools or programs and can be a great resource for becoming more familiar with what's out there.When evaluating students with physical disabilities for AT needs, a checklist can be an invaluable tool.  Dr. MariBeth Coleman at the University of TN (Department of Education) has created a wonderful UTK Curriculum Access Checklist that guides the process and i shared this with the students, as well. 

Janice Reese

My name is Janice Reese and I LOVE assistive technology! I worked as an Occupational Therapist for more than 15 years, earned a Master’s degree in Education Technology, and I’m RESNA certified as an Assistive Technology Profession (ATP). I have worked in the school system for many years now and I love using technology to enhance the lives of children with disabilities. Since my first love is teaching, I’ve spent just as much time training wonderful teachers everywhere to use these tools in their classrooms. AT4Kids, llc was founded in 2008 in an effort to provide quality instruction and resources for teachers, therapists, student users and parents who wanted to know more about using AT.

I currently serve as Director of the Center for Assistive Technology, a state-supported program of the Little TN Valley Educational Cooperative. LTVEC is a non-profit agency whose goal is to provide rehabilitation services and accessibility supports for students with special needs in east Tennessee. My AT4Kids blog is designed to be as a one-stop resource for ideas and information for those wanting to learn more about the use of AT with children in the special education setting.

I hope to offer helpful hints, program and product reviews, AT recommendations, links to great new finds on the web, and lists of resources for “all things AT”.

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PVC Pipe-Eye Gaze Frame

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Mo Buti Autism Session 9/12