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Welcome to the QIAT website, the official site of the QIAT Community. This website supports QIAT’s mission of guiding the development and delivery of quality assistive technology services by providing the QIAT Community with a gateway to resources.
The QIAT Community is a nationwide grassroots group that includes hundreds of individuals who provide input into the ongoing process of identifying, disseminating, and implementing a set of widely applicable Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services in school settings that can be used as a tool to support:
- school districts as they strive to develop and provide quality assistive technology services aligned to federal, state, and local mandates
- assistive technology service providers as they evaluate and constantly improve their services
- consumers of assistive technology services as they seek adequate assistive technology services that meet their needs
- universities and professional developers as they conduct research and deliver programs that promote the development of the competencies needed to provide quality assistive technology services
- policymakers as they attempt to develop judicious and equitable policies related to assistive technology services.
The QIAT Leadership Team is happy to recognize the work of Aneta M Kochanowicz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at WSB University in Poland!
Dr. Kochanowicz is researching the effectiveness of using the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology to improve assistive technology services in Poland. Her preliminary data is very promising. She hopes to continue her research and publish a book about the use and effectiveness of the Quality Indicators in another country with many differences in the educational system.
The Joy Zabala Fellowship for Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials
Joy Smiley Zabala (1946-2021) was an inspiring leader, a gifted communicator, a passionate advocate, and a beloved friend. The Joy Zabala Fellowship will support emerging, early career professionals who, in collaboration with a seasoned mentor, will a)strengthen their expertise and skills in services supporting assistive technology (AT) and/or accessible educational materials (AEM) and b) share what they learn with the larger community of stakeholders. The focus of this fellowship is to expand and guide the provision of services of AT and/or AEM.
Click here to view a video from the Zabala family!
Announcing The 2024-2025 Joy Zabala Fellows in Assistive Technology and Accessible Instructional Materials:
Dr. Brian Wojcik is the Assistive Technology Partnership Supervisor working with the Nebraska Department of Education. He will mentor Judith Nomura, an assistive technology specialist for the Hawaii Department of Education. Their work will focus on improving the state’s capacity in AT and AEM. They will collaborate with their connector, Cynthia Curry.
Sayard Bass works for the Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education, which includes developing assistive technology programs, training staff, and providing direct therapeutic intervention using alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). Her mentee is Amy Comford, a supervisor for the OT and PT department of Columbus City School District. Their focus will include strategies to increase AT services for students with disabilities. Their connector partner is Rick Ferrie.
Judie Schoonover has wide-ranging experience providing AT services and coaching in educational settings. She brings her extensive skill set to collaborate with mentee Amy Thompson, also an OT, who works in the Rapid City Schools. Their work plan focuses on developing capacity for the Rapid City Schools in AT foundational skills. Their connector is Caroline Van Howe.
Stacy Alvare is an instructional support and inclusion specialist in a Florida school system. She will work with mentee Lindsey Fountain, an SLP and AT consultant for an intermediate district. They will collaborate on strategies to increase AT capacity, partnering with their connector Joan Breslin Larson.
Celebrate and ensure Joy’s legacy, please make your tax-deductible gift to the Joy Zabala Fellowship today!
All donations go directly to the Joy Zabala Fellowship to support the activities of the mentorship partners. CAST, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, serves as the fiduciary agent of the Fellowship. CAST and the QIAT Leadership team donate their time and administrative support to the Fellowship.
Mail donation checks payable to CAST, Inc. Please note Joy Zabala Fellowship on the check and mail to:
Joy Zabala Fellowship Fund, c/o CAST, Inc. 50 Salem Street, Bldg. B, Suite 103, Lynnfield, MA 01940 781-245-2212 (voice) 781-245-5212 (fax)