Assistive Technology & Accommodations in Vocational Evaluation Flashcards

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a 'reasonable accommodation' in the workplace is defined as:

Answer: A modification that enables a qualified individual with a disability to perform essential job functions without undue hardship to the employer

Reasonable accommodations must enable essential job function performance and must not impose undue hardship on the employer.

Assistive technology (AT) as defined by the Assistive Technology Act includes:

Answer: Any item, equipment, or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities

The AT Act broadly defines assistive technology to include any device—from low-tech to high-tech—that improves a person's functional capabilities.

When conducting a vocational evaluation for a client with a hearing impairment, which accommodation is most likely required to ensure valid assessment results?

Answer: A qualified sign language interpreter or written/visual instructions

A qualified interpreter or written/visual instructions ensure the client fully understands test directions, making results valid and legally defensible.

An AT assessment for vocational purposes should ideally be conducted:

Answer: In the context of specific vocational goals and actual or simulated work tasks

AT recommendations are most meaningful when tied to specific vocational tasks and goals rather than evaluated in isolation.

Which of the following is an example of a low-tech accommodation that might support a client with a learning disability in a vocational evaluation?

Answer: Providing test instructions in writing and allowing the client to use a calculator for math tasks

Simple accommodations like written instructions and calculator use can significantly level the playing field for clients with learning disabilities without requiring expensive technology.

The HAAT (Human Activity Assistive Technology) model considers which four components when evaluating AT needs?

Answer: Human, activity, context, and assistive technology

The HAAT model frames AT selection around the interaction among the human (user), the activity they want to perform, the context, and the technology itself.