Assistive Technology
October 18, 2006
Assistive Technology Educating Children with Handicaps (ATECH)
The Assistive Technology Department provides on-site assessment and consultation services to students, staff, and parents within the NKESC districts. It also offers a loan program of various assistive technology devices for check out to districts and families for equipment trial before a local district makes a purchase. Assistive technology items provide students with avenues to participate in activities which they would normally be limited due to their disability. Staff work closely with other related service providers such as physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech and language specialist. They also provide inservices to staff and parents. The purpose of the NKESC ATECH department is to serve children ages birth through 21 years and provide assistive technology services in order to overcome physical barriers, facilitate communication, compensate for biological deficiencies, and improve educational independence.
The NKESC ATECH department provides services such as:
assessment services - coordinate with other areas such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, visual impairment, and speech/language
device library - the library provides assistive technology devices, software, switches, toys, etc., to exceed 1360 items
on-site support - through training inservices and ATECH personnel.
The benefits of Assistive Technology include:
Technology can improve the academic performance of a student with disabilities.
Technology is a powerful motivator.
Technology can help students improve their behavior.
Technology can empower students with disabilities, enabling them to accomplish things not thought possible before.
Technology can improve students self-concept and feelings of self-worth.
Students with disabilities who use assistive technology may be perceived more capable.
The NKESC ATECH department is based out of the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center in Oakley, Kansas, and serves 11 northwest counties of Kansas, 19 school districts, and over 11,000 square miles.
For further information, contact:
Assistive Technology Department
Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center
703 W 2nd St
Oakley, KS 67748
(785) 672-3125
Karin Rasmussen, Facilitator, Assistive Technology Consultant, Ext 174
email: Karin Rasmussen
Jana Hutton, Augmentative Communication Consultant, Ext 170
email: Jana Hutton
Assistive Technology Case Manager, Ext 131
email: Jodi Moellering
Jeannie Sharp, Assistive Technology Specialist, Ext 173
email: Jeannie Sharp
To access the Kansas Infinitec Coalition -- Infinite Potential through Technology, please click on the following link:
