Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits
Professionals
Based on the findings of the AT Visioning Group, the following ‘next steps’ are recommended for developing a national AT agenda:
Step 1
Identify financial resources to cover agenda development expenses and needed staffing, both full time and part time.
Step 2
Convene a meeting in early 2005 composed of selected individuals from the Visioning group to create a working business and strategic plan by the end of the first calendar quarter. Part of the plan should reflect some innovation in channel and product development, measurement of need to reflect distribution priorities and other guidelines and how to best incorporate the other players in a comprehensive AT market place. The plan must reflect immediate innovative objectives that address student achievement initiatives (short-term wins), non-traditional partners, and include input pertaining to the definition of highly qualified personnel in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. A meeting of these participants at the ATIA Conference in Orlando would facilitate planning.
Step 3
Once the initial plan is developed, submit for group review, refinement, and input from broad constituencies. Have a completed revised plan by early April.
Step 4
Begin plan implementation with focus on short-term wins, and emphasis on expansion of partnerships with wide range of constituencies.
