[Athen] Position: Adaptive Technology Specialist atUniversityof Wisconsin-Madison

[Stacy L. Smith]

Kevin -

Thanks so much for the response.  Since I took this job (new to the
field), I've felt a bit like a polka-dotted fish swimming in a bowl of
striped fish.

It's nice to have your perspective.

Stacy

Quoting Kevin Price <pricek at uic.edu>:


>

> Stacy,

> Let me try that again with additions.  I am sorry for the repeat

> email.

>

> I think your responsibilities more closely align with the job title

> of

> "Alternative Media Specialist".  I believe many Adaptive Technology

> Specialists take on the responsibilities you described.

> Universities

> interpret the role of the "Adaptive or Assistive Technology

> Specialist"

> differently.  I am very active on my campus in promoting accessible

> information technology/web accessibility.  It is hard to separate the

> roles

> because they are so intertwined.  Many students with disabilities are

> coming

> into the university setting already with the necessary AT.  They just

> need

> added support for their current AT and help in making the

> instructional

> content accessible.  With more Universal Design integrated into

> available

> technology, I think the job responsibilities of the AT Specialist are

> changing to what your job responsibilities are now.

> Kevin

>

> Kevin Price MSW, ATP

> Assistive Technology Specialist

> Disability Resource Center (MC 321)

> University of Illinois at Chicago

> Suite 1190, Student Services Building

> 1200 West Harrison Street

> Chicago, Illinois  60607-7163

> (312) 413-0886   Fax (312) 413-7781

> Email:  pricek at uic.edu

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> Subject: Re: [Athen] Position: Adaptive Technology Specialistat

> Universit y

> of Wisconsin-Madison

>

> Here's a question I'd love to have your input on:

>

> My title is Adaptive Technology Specialist.  However, I don't seem to

> do

> what most people with that title do.

>

> My primary role is to ensure that students enrolled in online courses

> are accommodated, which may require getting transcripts, providing

> alternate formats, etc.  I also work on the back end of courses, with

> faculty, staff, and administrators, trying to get them to produce

> content that is friendly to students with disabilities and assistive

> software and devices.  Therefore, I work with the production of

> accessible course content, not the interpretation or access to course

> content.

>

> Rarely do I work with a student on trying to find technology to

> access

> courses.  Most of our students come already understanding what they

> need and how to use it, or they work through their VR counsellors.

>

> So what the heck would you call me?

>

> BTW, my salary is at the lower end of the mid-range, based on what

> Terry

> published, and it's only that high because they had a terrible time

> filling the position.  I'm based in DSS and am considered "tecchie"

> by

> them but not really a tech person (sort of a hybrid, really).

>

> Thoughts?

>

> Thanks,

> Stacy

>

>

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>

>



Stacy Smith
Adaptive Technology Specialist, Disability Support Services
532-6441
stacylee at ksu.edu

~~~~~~~~~~~~

One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the
Art of
Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place
to
train.

--Morehei Ueshiba