Assessing an individual’s Assistive Technology needs makes it far more likely to identify AT devices and services which will improve their functional capabilities.

A poor match between technology and user more often than not leads to abandonment of the technology, and thus loss of the desired outcome.

Various studies and surveys indicate that half and possibly as much as 80% of assistive technology is abandoned by the prospective user. Often, this is because the technology was not a good match for the user’s abilities, needs, preferences, the task to be accomplished, or the context of the technology’s use.

So the first and arguably most important step is to identify the right tool for the job.

More than anything, matching an individual with the appropriate Assistive Technology involves asking, and seeking answers to, the right questions — about the tasks where the person has difficulties, the person’s abilities and challenges, and the context in which the person performs those tasks.

The most effective technology tools are those selected with these factors in mind.

The more we understand about the interaction between the PERSON, the TASK or activity they have difficulty with, and the ENVIRONMENT or context in which they perform that task — WHO needs to do WHAT, WHERE? — the better equipped we are to identify TOOLS (the Assistive Technology) to help produce the desired outcomes.

We are credentialed to assist you through this process and to choose the appropriate technology.

We collaborate with students, educators, and others to identify the most effective technology for the student’s abilities, tasks, and environments. If needed, we provide written report and attend IEP meetings.

After each thorough assessment, strategies or tools are recommended for each client in a detailed report.

Collaborative Technology Solutions LLC provides one-on-one training to teach the user what the technology does, where to find relevant features, how to operate them, and how they will benefit the client.

Training options also include opportunities to train team members who are involved in helping the client to reach their goals.

We provide a wide variety of essential training services for people directly in their homes. In Nevada and Arizona, we are the ideal service for those who lack transportation options, or who desire to be trained on technologies in the environment in which they intend to use them.

Examples of technologies we train on in Nevada and Arizona include:

• Desktop and handheld electronic magnification devices (CCTVs)
• Optical character recognition/text-to-speech (‘read-aloud’) devices
• Computer technologies including screen reading and magnification software, designed to allow people with a visual impairment to use their computer
• Tablets and smart phones (iPad, iPhone, Android devices), including using the built in apps, and specialized apps designed to aid people with a visual impairment
• Alternative & Augmentative Communication Devices such as Tobii Dynavox
• Braille displays and note-takers