Assistive Technology Industry Association Expands Educational Offerings

Chicago, IL
July 24, 2009
via ATIA

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) has expanded the reach of its educational offerings with the introduction of the ATIA Webinar Series. The series complements ATIAs conferences and leadership forums, which have distinguished ATIA as a leading association dedicated to education related to Assistive Technology. With the introduction of the ATIA Webinar Series, ATIA hopes to further increase awareness of the innovative assistive technologies and services that enhance learning, working, and independence for people with disabilities.

The goal of the ATIA Webinar Series is to broaden knowledge of assistive technology and the evaluation skills to assess assistive technology products.  For a full listing of the ATIA Webinar Series go to www.atia.org/webinars.

The overarching goal of ATIA is to provide enhanced benefits and opportunities to people with disabilities, and education is the fir stand very key step in that process, says David Dikter, Executive Director of ATIA. Since our inception 10 years ago, ATIA has continually expanded the number of educational seminars at our annual conferences and leadership forums.  With the addition of webinars we can reach a much wider audience and can do so throughout the year.

This year ATIA will offer more than 500 educational opportunities that provide education and communication to 1) professional practitioners serving those with disabilities (teachers, occupational therapists, rehabilitation counselors, physicians, psychologists, etc.), 2) individuals with disabilities and their families, 3) assistive technology specialists, 4) educational institutions, and 5) corporations and government agencies.  These offerings cover all aspects of the assistive technology spectrum, including: augmentative and alternative communication; blind/low vision; computer access; Web accessibility; K-12 and higher education technology; and deaf and hard-of-hearing. ATIAs next conference and leadership event is ATIA Chicago 2009, October 28-31, 2009, www.atia.org/chicagoeducation.

Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as any item, piece of equipment, product or system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.