The development of an assistive technology toolkit for early literacy instruction

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.