Day 2: Assistive Technology frameworks and Communication

In class number 2 we looked at assitive technology frameworks such as HAAT and WATI. HAAT (human activity assistive technology) provides activities (in the areas of self-care, work/school and play/leisure) to determine what assistive technology system might be needed. By finishing a set of specific tasks in a given context (setting and social or cultural context) the human skills that will be required are also determined. WATI (Winsconsin Assistive Technology Initiative was implemented to assist school districts in improving the outcomes and results for children with disabilities through the use of assistive technology. The WATI checklist assesses a student's needs for assistive technology. What impressed me most about these frameworks was the fact that today we have such a comprehensive means to analyse students with various disabilities and set appropriate action plans and match appropriate assistive technologies to meet their specific academic, social and behavioral outcomes.

Barb discussed the concept of communication and what it looks like. In groups we role played communication activities in which one of us was a non-verbal participator and our task was to include them in a dialogue. Through role playing it became apparent that some form of assistive technology was necessary to engage in meaningful communication endeavors. In order for effective communication to occur we discovered that it was necessary to have three main components: 1)communication partner, 2) joint attention and 3)common language. Non-verbal people are limited in their ability to have meaningful dialogues with others without the aid of some form of assistive technology, whether it be as low-tech as drawing a picture to a much higher form as utilizing iPods. Assistive technology devices such as GoTalk and Crespeaker can be utilized by non-verbal people for effective and successful communication to occur.

Barb discussed modes of communication and stated that there are many different modes to examine. Through internet surfing, I came to find that were several various modes of communication. Some but not all modes of communication include: body language and behaviors, sign language, talking, singing, dancing, acting, charades, writing (notes, books, magazines, letters, memos, journals, diaries, newspapers, etc.), pictures, props, signs, assistive technology devices (such as iPods, GoTalks, etc.), computer (Facebook, Blogger, MySpace, Twitter, Internet, etc.), phones, TV, radios and telegraphs.


Communication is a complicated procedure. When communicating we subconsciously have to attend to many features in order for effective communication to occur. Some things to consider when communicating are: the goal of communication (the intent of the message); the focus of interaction; the duration of interaction; the content of interaction; the predictability (rate of communication); the scope of communication; and the number of communication partners involved.