Assistive Technology Certificate Program

The Assistive Technology Certificate Program (ATCP) is a flexible packaging of 4 Assistive Technology courses taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). ATCP trains working professionals to deliver state of the art Assistive Technology clinical services to individuals with physical, cognitive, and/or sensory disabilities. ATCP instructors are faculty members in the Department of Disability and Human Development (DHD), and group leaders within the Assistive Technology Unit (ATU). ATU provides Assistive Technology services to approximately 500 individuals with disabilities in northeast Illinois each year.

Two of the four courses are required; two courses are selected from a group of four courses based on the interests of the students. Required and elective coursework represents most of the coursework comprising the Rehabilitation Technology track within the Master of Science program in Disability and Human Development. ATCP students take the courses along with UIC students. Classes can be taken individually or as part of the certificate program, and may also be applied to the Master of Science program in Disability and Human Development.

This highly flexible certificate program benefits all professionals serving individuals with assistive technology needs in the areas of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Special Education, Engineering, or Vocational Rehabilitation.

To receive full consideration for Fall admission, applications should be received by May 1st of the year in which admission is being sought.

Coursework

First Required Course

DHD 440: Introduction to Assistive Technology (Fall Semester)

An examination of best clinical practices and state-of-the-art Assistive Technology devices, including the areas of Augmentative Communication, Cognitive Technologies, Computer Access, Environmental Control, Home Modification, Orthotics and Prosthetics, Seating and Wheeled Mobility, and Worksite Modification. Funding and Outcomes Measurement with respect to each area also included.

Elective Courses (choose two)

DHD 441: Adaptive Equipment Design and Fabrication (Summer Semester)

Design theories, idea generation, fabrication machines, hand tool techniques, and appropriate materials are covered related to custom design and custom fabrication of low-tech adaptive equipment. Students work in the ATU shop during practice sessions, and in completing an individual project based on actual consumer request.

DHD 444: Assistive Technology for Literacy, Learning, and Participation in Pre-K through High School (Summer Semester)

This course includes weekly hands-on lab experience along with lectures and group projects. The emphasis is on learning how to use a variety of assistive technology software and techniques that can be used to make academic curriculum available for all learners. Literacy and writing software are covered extensively. Assessment techniques for diverse learners are presented.

DHD 552: Seating and Wheeled Mobility (Spring Semester)

This course provides the student with detailed information on the issues of wheelchair seating, positioning and mobility for children and adults with physical disabilities. Emphasis is placed on evaluating for a consumer's need and identifying the appropriate technology to match those needs. Course content includes in-depth information on assessment procedures and technology selection. The student will participate in significant hands-on experiences with the technology presented as a means to understand the capabilities and potential applications. Current research related to seating and wheeled mobility is included throughout the course. Funding sources and associated guidelines are also covered.

DHD 554: Augmentative Communication Assessment (Spring Semester)

This course covers a range of augmentative communication assessment strategies and evaluation materials utilizing case examples for discussion of specific approaches for different ages, disabilities, and settings. Special topics include vocabulary selection, communication display design, features of electronic communication aids, funding speech-generating devices, strategies for beginning communicators and partners, vision issues and the relationship between behavior and communication for individuals with complex communication needs. Students work with a wide range of speech-generating devices to conduct feature analyses of systems and to gain hands-on experience using a variety of access methods, rate enhancement techniques and vocabulary expansion tools.

Final Required Course

DHD 551: Computers, Communication and Controls (Fall Semester)

Assistive technology course exploring different methods for evaluating controls used to operate computers, communication devices and powered wheelchairs. Instruction also addresses device features and integration factors.

Course logistics are subject to change. All the courses will be taught in the Disability, Health and Social Policy (DHSP) building, located at 1640 West Roosevelt Road , Chicago .

For more information or to apply, please contact:

Maitha C. Abogado, Academic Coordinator
Department of Disability and Human Development (M/C 626)
University of Illinois at Chicago
1640 West Roosevelt Road
Chicago , Illinois 60608
(312) 413-1647 TTY (312) 413-0453
maitha@uic.edu

Visit us at: idhd.org/ATCP.html

To enroll in individual classes, please contact:

Office of Continuing Education
www.oce.uic.edu
oce@uic.edu

Course Offerings

2011 (PDF, Word)
2012 (PDF, Word)

Application (PDF Fillable application form)
Course Descriptions (PDF, Word)
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, Word)
Bringing Assistive Technology Into Your Schools & Classrooms (PDF)