Abstract
Despite evidence supporting the use of assistive technology (AT) to improve early literacy outcomes, only a small percentage of preschool age children with disabilities utilize such devices and services. The goal of the Step Up AT to Promote Early Literacy Project is to develop an evidence-based training program to increase teacher and parent knowledge, confidence, and use of AT practices to promote inclusion and improve early literacy skills for this population. During years 1 and 2, a 6-month in-person and online training program was developed and implemented across 3 childcare centers serving children 3 to 5 years of age (n = 56), their primary caregivers (n = 56), and teachers and teacher aides (n = 36). This paper discusses how the program evolved over a period of two years to: a) better address the needs of children from Spanish-speaking and low-income families, b) incorporate a range of “low-tech” to “high-tech” AT options to serve a diverse population with various abilities, and c) enhance the utility of the toolkit for parents and teachers.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 36-51 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 2020 |
Keywords
- Assistive technology
- Early childhood
- Early literacy
- Professional development
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Biomedical Engineering
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation