The Golden Ticket to AT

By Heather Maydak

Ah! That elusive candy bar with a Golden Ticket! Did you daydream about how that ticket would change your life? It certainly changed the lives of the kids in the beloved movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Despite possessing the golden ticket, Augustus, Violet, Veruca, and Mike's decisions ultimately led to disappointment. But for Charlie, it opened up a whole new world for him and his family.

Right Technology, Big Change

Technology has made such a tremendous change in our everyday lives. For people with disabilities, technology often makes everyday life possible. A child who is nonverbal is limited in his ability to communicate successfully without some type of assistive technology. The middle schooler with dyslexia, who struggles with the increased demands of reading and writing, will only increase without the aid of technology.

Each year, when the special education team meets to discuss the strengths, needs, and goals of each student, they must consider assistive technology (AT). This can be as simple as a five-minute conversation agreeing that AT is not needed or that a referral for a full AT evaluation is recommended.

Here at Westminster Technologies, we want your team to be successful and we want each of your students to be provided with the best possible opportunity to succeed. That’s why we’ve developed assessment training options.

One of those options is an on-demand online training module that allows each team member to work at their own pace. When they have finished each module, completed case studies, and passed quizzes, they receive one-on-one coaching from our RESNA Certified ATP for a full year.

Why? Because the right assistive technology provides that Golden Ticket, creating a whole new world of possibilities.

Learn more about Assistive Technology Assessment Guide (ATAG).