Universal Design for Learning in Open Educational Resources
Quality Indicators for Assistive
Technology
http://www.qiat.org
Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology
(QIAT) are the result of intensive, ongoing
work that began in the summer of 1998
when a group of assistive technology (AT)
service providers, concerned about the
complexity of selecting, locating, and
delivering AT and AT services in K-12 and
postsecondary environments agreed on the
need for guidelines that could be used to
improve the quality and consistency of AT
delivery. To ensure the QIAT work is high
quality, relevant and useful, input was
gathered from more than 4,000 individuals
ranging from assistive technology
professionals to students and families,
school staff, policy makers and higher
education faculty.
Research demonstrates that the QIAT work is considered to be valid and useful to:
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school districts as they strive to develop and provide quality assistive technology
services aligned to federal, state and local mandates
assistive technology service providers as they evaluate and constantly improve their
services
consumers of assistive technology services as they seek appropriate assistive
technology services which meet their needs
universities and professional developers as they conduct research and deliver programs
that promote the development of the competencies needed to provide quality assistive
technology services
policy makers as they attempt to develop judicious and equitable policies related to
assistive technology services.
In addition to quality indicators in eight areas, the QIAT work includes intent statements,
common errors and implementation supports such as self-evaluation matrices, suggested
activities, checklists and other helpful tools.
QIAT work is now available in a book, Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology: A
Comprehensive Guide to Assistive Technology Services authored by the QIAT Team and
published by CAST Professional Publishing. The book provides resources for those who seek to
ensure that high quality, useful and relevant services are provided to students who require AT
devices and services. Purchasing information can be found at http://www.castpublishing.org/.