Beyond ARRA: Don't Buy Technology - TRAIN STAFF!

This month, Fred Tchang (Director, Assistive Technology Services @ Advancing Opportunities) was interviewed for The Family Center on Technology and Disability newsletter - Technology Voices.


Fred's interview is titled "Beyond ARRA: Put AT Purchases on Hold; Ramp Up Training and Implementation Plans". The discussion focuses on the use of AARA for assistive technology. Typically, districts have purchased technology tools but haven't thought all the way through to implementation.

According to the article:

To put it bluntly, in the words of Fred Tchang, ATP: “Please, please, please do not buy any more equipment between now and August 30!”

Instead, Mr. Tchang advises districts that have purchased technology under ARRA to quickly incorporate plans for training and implementation. “For those districts, now is the time to initiate a major effort to determine how training and implementation will be instituted so that optimum use can be made of their current technology.” Using remaining ARRA funds, he emphasizes, is the best way to underwrite those plans.

Read the whole article here.

Are you interested in assistive technology services? Visit our website at www.assistivetechnologycenter.org and learn about the services ATS can provide to districts.

Click on the Link - AT for Schools and Learning - to learn how the ATS staff can support the staff and students at your school.