The mission of the Region IV Assistive Technology (AT) Consortium is to promote and facilitate the capacity to deliver quality AT services through regional and inter-regional collaboration and training.
The Region IV Assistive Technology Consortium began in 1993 as The Academy on Assistive Technology and includes representatives from eight Intermediate School Districts (ISD’s) in Southeast Michigan. These districts include Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland Schools, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne County.
The representatives from each county serve on a committee whose purpose is to collaborate on assistive technology (AT) issues in compliance with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations and all other state and federal mandates.
The Region IV Assistive Technology Consortium is involved with a number of activities designed to assist staff and families who work with students with special needs. Some of these activities include:
Developing model guidelines for assistive technology and aiding other regions in developing their own AT programs. Communicating with both state and national agencies that serve Region IV students in order to exchange ideas, information, and resources. Reviewing software and technologies appropriate for student with disabilities and facilitating group purchases to reduce costs. Collaborating to provide professional development opportunities to staff and parents throughout the region.
Supporting a High Incidence Project that will develop a system for replicating instructional strategies and technology tools to support all learners in reading and writing across the curriculum.