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eLearning Training Resources
Pathfinder Associates is pleased to announce new training opportunities that feature the ease, convenience and effectiveness of eLearning for individual or small group use.
The first eLearning is on
TECH
POINTS, which is an effective training and
technology management tool designed for vocational
rehabilitation counselors and other staff in vocational
rehabilitation agencies and community rehabilitation
programs. TECH
POINTS, has been extensively updated and
includes photographs and case study information plus links
to other assistive technology information and resources.
We hope that you will look through the following for more information, including a demonstration of the module from Part 1 and a summary of costs and training options.
TECH
POINTS
– Online Training to Enhance Utilization of
Assistive Technology to Achieve Improved
Employment Outcomes
Assistive
technology and other job accommodation strategies help to expand
choices and options that can lead to improved employment outcomes.
For many individuals with severe disabling conditions these
services are essential to their success.
Vocational rehabilitation
agencies and many community program providers have committed
considerable personnel and financial resources into rehabilitation
technology service delivery.
Essential elements also needed are the awareness and
capabilities of vocational rehabilitation counselors and other staff
to manage and utilize assistive technology resources and services.
Vocational rehabilitation counselors are not expected to be technology experts. However, counselors have the primary responsibility to identify possible need for assistive technology services; determine how these resources can be used to enhance employment outcomes; and know where they can go for additional information and assistance. Integrating the consideration of assistive technology resources and services into day-to-day practice must take place.
Unless the rehabilitation counselor recognizes potential AT needs
and is able to explore possible options, it is likely that many
persons served by VR agencies will not have access to
technology
resources and services.
TECH POINTS
is a unique training approach that will increase awareness of
assistive technology and offer suggestions that will make
consideration of technology-related needs a routine part of
rehabilitation services.
TECH
POINTS
considers the possible role of assistive technology by looking at
needs of the individual; environments where the individual is likely
to function; and specific tasks and activities that the individual
would likely be required to perform.
TECH
POINTS occur at a series of
decision points or critical junctures where need for assistive
technology resources or services should be considered.
These “points” coincide with
regular case service activities which help to better integrate
technology services into the rehabilitation process.
TECH
POINTS will assist
counselors in deciding if technology-related solutions to challenges
and problems may be appropriate, and when referral to a technology
specialist would be needed. Each
TECH
POINT has a four-step
process that looks at
Technology Concerns; explores possible
Intervention Strategies;
suggests how to Prioritize
Activities; and reviews
Specific Steps and Actions needed.
The online
training provides a flexible, low-cost, and effective way to reach
rehabilitation counselors and other staff.
The asynchronous training
easily fits into busy schedules and reduces the need for high cost,
traditional training workshops.
The online approach also works well to deal with staff
turnover and new employee training needs.
The self-paced online training modules suggest questions and
activities for counselors to use; encourages creative thinking and
problem solving process; and suggests how to use technology
specialists to achieve better employment outcomes.
Introduces
the concept of
TECH
POINTS and illustrates how
technology resources and services can be integrated into all of the
phases of the vocational rehabilitation process.
Examples of AT and job accommodations show individuals
working in varied settings.
Perspectives of
persons
with disabilities, rehabilitation professionals and employers
provide a comprehensive look at how AT resources and services can
enhance consumer choice and opportunities and lead to successful
employment outcomes.
This module can be used independently or in conjunction with the TECH POINT training modules in Part 2.
Click on Introducing TECH POINTS to view the complete module. The module takes approximately 20 minutes.
Cost:
$1,650
|
PART 2:
TECH POINT Training Module |
Individual
TECH
POINT training modules
address how to effectively use assistive technology and
accommodation options at key points in the rehabilitation process.
The seven modules address consideration of assistive
technology from initial contact with prospective clients to
post-employment follow-up. (Each module takes approximately 15-20
minutes to complete)
-
TECH
POINT
1
Referral/Application
-
TECH
POINT
2 Assessment/Evaluation
- TECH POINT 3 Plan Development
- TECH POINT 4 Planned Services
- TECH POINT 5 Placement
- TECH POINT 6 Tracking and Documentation
-
TECH
POINT
7 Post-Employment
and Follow-up
Case study
information and photographs illustrate individuals with varied
disabilities and functional limitations performing job tasks and
working in different work settings.
Training modules can be loaded on your program or agency learning management system (LMS) if you have one; housed on your website; or disseminated directly to participants by your training staff. Pathfinder Associates can also host training modules on our website.
Accessibility
All
training modules include audio narration and text transcript of
training content.
Photographs and graphics have text descriptions.
CEU
Credits
Each
training module contains
KnowledgeCheck quizzes that verify completion of the training
modules and measure mastery of training content.
Arrangements can be made for
1.5 CEU credits through
the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) for
the training.
Part 1: Introducing TECH POINTS:
$1650
Part 2: Individual TP Modules:
$1,150/each
Series of seven TP Modules:
$8,000
Complete Set (Parts 1 and 2): $8,950
There are a
number of optional features and activities that can further enhance
the impact of
TECH
POINTS training.
Customized
Training Options:
The TECH POINTS training modules can be customized to include information on actual sources of assistive technology resources and services used in your state, including direct links to your agency’s procedures, policies and guidelines. This ensures that staff have a clear understanding of how to approach the delivery and utilization of assistive technology.
Pathfinder Associates will work with agency staff,
case service personnel and technology service providers to identify
information to include in the customized training modules.
Adding specific information
that is unique to your agency and state will increase the
effectiveness of the training.
Audio narration can also be added to include messages and
comments from staff, consumers or employers.
Contact
Pathfinder Associates for additional information and
cost.
Post
Training Follow-up Discussion
The option to
use web-based discussion boards as a follow-up to the training
offers an effective way to address participant questions, discuss
experiences using assistive technology and share resources with
others. Discussion boards
can be moderated to facilitate discussion and introduce information
and resources to address needs. Staff involvement in post-training
discussions contributes to effective continuous quality improvement
practices.
Pathfinder
Associates can host and moderate web-based discussion
activities.
Follow-up
Training Workshops
Half-day or full-day hands-on training workshops using small group and case study based training activities are an effective way to develop more in-depth awareness of how assistive technology can lead to improved employment outcomes. Role playing and actual problem solving explore consumer and employer perspectives and provide rehabilitation professionals with insights and practical experiences researching assistive technology solutions and options and other job accommodation resources.
Contact
Pathfinder Associates for additional information.
Additional training programs including the Guide to Using Assistive Technology in Assessment and Vocational Evaluation will be available. We welcome questions about these training resources or suggestions for other training materials.
This page was last updated Wednesday, August 18, 2010