[Athen] Post-Secondary Assistive Technologists: BLS Job\Career Classification?

[Nast, Joseph M]

Thank goodness for ATHEN! For more than 5 years, I've been guided by resources like ATHEN's 2008\2009 watershed surveys and reports (links listed below):

http://www.athenpro.org/node/88
http://www.athenpro.org/node/89

At my campus, the Assistive Technologist position has evolved significantly. By way of example, my predecessor actually served as a quasi-academic advisor and a large chunk of my own responsibilities once included a number of clerical and office management functions.

With the staunch support of my Disability Services Counselors and heads of department, over time I've been able clarify the Assistive Technologist's professional role and sharply focus my duties on accessibility for our students. That said, I still have a few hills to climb ensuring my official job description is consonant with my actual duties. In trying to bolster my case for a change in job description, I've tried unsuccessfully to find an appropriate Bureau of Labor Statistics Standard Occupational Classification group for Post-Secondary Assistive Technologists (link: http://www.bls.gov/soc/major_groups.htm).

Is it more accurate to identify with the IT professions? By definition assistive technology itself is largely compensatory in nature, so I seriously doubt we'd be affiliated with OTs or PTs - but I'm really not sure... Am I "chasing my own tail" here?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for your input!



Joseph M. Nast<mailto:joseph.m.nast at lonestar.edu>
Assistive Technology Lab Coordinator
office phone: 281.290.3207
office room number: CASA 109j
Lone Star College Cy Fair<http://cyfair.lonestar.edu/>
Counseling, Career, and Disability Services<http://www.lonestar.edu/counseling-services.htm>

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