86 14.4 Recommendations for the Future

The successful integration of assistive technology into K-12 classrooms depends on several factors, one of which is educators having access to the right resources and tools. Professional development plays a vital role in the integration of assistive technology because it offers a structured environment where educators can receive the support they need. The following are recommendations to ensure that professional development remains effective and beneficial to educators.

Develop data-driven practices

School administrators should regularly assess the effectiveness of the PD programs by collecting feedback from participants to evaluate and improve training where necessary. To demonstrate the effectiveness of assistive technology, data should also be collected to compare the performance of students before and after educators received training on devices (Giek, 2021).

Technology Coaches

Introduce technology coaches or assistive technology consultants/coordinators to schools for personalized support with AT. This may include recommending devices or training on troubleshooting technical problems (UNESCO, 2024).

Ongoing Support

Providing educators with access to online resources with tutorials and webinars allows them to revisit the content when needed. Access to instructional videos can reinforce what educators covered during PD and assist with AT integration (The Advocacy Institute, 2021).