There are a world of possibilities for assistive tech researchers, product developers and entrepreneurs who want to deliver innovative solutions for disabled students. Question is, what are organizations doing — and what should they do — to move the field forward?  NCTI conference panelists Lawrence Grossman (Digital Promise), Mary Furlong (Furlong & Associates), Marshall Raskind (International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities) and Jeff Zimman (Posit Science) shared some of their successes, plans and suggest ideas for the future of assistive technology.

At Digital Promise, Lawrence Grossman has worked to get the US Congress to create a National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies.  The culmination of 10 years of effort, Grossman says the Center’s goal will be to bring forth the best ideas backed by research to apply technology tools to education.  He says that the Center will do for education what NIH has done for health and what National Academy of Sciences has done for scientific research.

At WETA, Noel Gunther’s organization, new enterprises have developed out of the need to raise awareness around key societal issues. These have taken the form of innovative learning programs that expand beyond WETA’s use of traditional media into emerging interactive media. The popular LD-Online and Reading Rockets web sites represent successful examples of their new approach. Their new Brainline program explores a growing societal need to understand the brain and the challenges of those with brain injuries or disabilties.  New media projects at WETA are also utilizing Facebook, Google Video and other online services to reach key audiences and to learn more about special needs, assistive technology and other solutions for those with disabilities.

Marshall Raskind suggested that we coin a new term, Assistive Technology 2.0 referring to the use of online social media tools (often referred to as the web 2.0) that enable school aged kids with disabilities to get assistance or support that they need and may not otherwise request.  He says that online solutions help because special needs students do not need to disclose their disability face-to-face.  Also, because social media tools allow for interactivity, they provide a means for students to connect, ask for assistance and follow-up rather than simply ask questions.  He sees also, in new assistive tech tools, an opportunity to move from deficit models of assistance to opportunities to foster special talents.

Mary Furlong, Senior Net founder, highlighted the disconnects between the way young and older are currently using technology.   But as baby-boomers and coming generations age, there will be more opportunities and needs for individuals over 60 and caregivers for the elderly to use social media.  Usability and style are factors in success.  She asks, for example, why hearing impaired women would not use assistive tech devices, such as a hearing aid that truly looks like an earing, that emphasize style as well as function.

Jeff Zimman posed the challenge of acceptance of new assistive tech devices.  He asks how one gets innovation from the lab into practice. He notes that those in the most need of innovation sometimes walk by a clean well toward a polluted stream to get their water.   He suggests a methodical 4 step approach to promote new technologies.

These are but a few insight about the potential and challenges of using assistive tech tools to address special needs in the coming years.  In one short session we could not cover the range of issues and possibilities.  Do you have thoughts about what’s next in assistive technology?  Log-in and leave a comment to this post to contribute your perspective.