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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Darren Gabbert’s definitive 2009 ATHEN E-Journal #44 white paper entitled “Certification and Training Opportunities for Access Technologists
in Higher Education: A Survey of Resources” (<a href="https://athenpro.org/node/90">https://athenpro.org/node/90</a>) concludes:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">“>From a certification standpoint, we are a people without a country.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Mr. Gabbert’s research finds most assistive technology degree programs and certifications emphasize PT\OT, medical, or rehabilitation-centric
training. Eight years on, and the casual observer would still be hard pressed to find otherwise.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">However, I’ve noticed that IAAP is now offering CPACC and WAS certifications (<a href="http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/certificationapplication">http://www.accessibilityassociation.org/certificationapplication</a>).
The IAAP is a relatively young organization, but they seem to have put a lot of work into creating industry certifications specifically for web accessibility. Considering the trajectory that many types of compensatory assistive technologies have taken towards
mobile and web-based solutions, having this type of certification seems valuable to assistive technologists in higher education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">So what’s your take on IAAP’s certification offerings and\or the dearth of higher education-focused AT professional training? Considering
the not-insignificant costs of testing and\or study materials, is it “worth it” to pursue certs like RESNA’s ATP or CSUN’s ATACP? Are web accessibility certifications more applicable to post-secondary AT para\professionals?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif">Thanks for your input!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Joseph M. Nast<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Assistive Technology Specialist<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Lone Star College Cy Fair Disability Services<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Office: CASA 109<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Phone: (281) 290-3207<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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