Andrea Van Hook
RESNA
2025 M Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 367-1121
Email: execoffice@resna.org
People who work in the field of Assistive Technology assess the needs of clients with disabilities, assist in the selection of appropriate assistive technology to meet their customer’s needs, and train their clients to use the selected technology.
Assistive technology may include—but is not limited to:
Professionals who work in the Assistive Technology field come from a variety of professional and technical backgrounds and work in interdisciplinary teams to analyze the needs of clients with many types of impairments. They assist in the selection of appropriate assistive technology to reduce impairments related to the effects of disability, helping clients identify their goals, and collaborate in meeting a client’s needs through acquisition, setup and installation, and training in the use of the selected device(s), measuring outcomes, and understand evidence based process. People who work in the field of Assistive Technology assess the person’s abilities and goals, determine the need for assistive technology, and incorporate that technology to prepare for, and maintain employment.
To be eligible for CoA RATE review, interested programs must submit the Request for Accreditation Services. All requests for accreditation services must be submitted by the 1st Wednesday of June or October. Self-studies must be submitted by the 3rd Wednesday of June or October.
General steps for submitting application and subsequent process:*
The steps below present a high-level overview of the full accreditation process. The full process is well-documented in the policies & procedures manual, and further detail is included in the self-study document itself, as well as the site visitors' handbook. The standards and curriculum map worksheet should be used as guides when completing the self-study.
1. Complete Request for Accreditation Services form;
2. Program Director, submits self-study and curriculum map, along with $2,500 review fee to CoA RATE administrator;
3. Program Director receives site visit quote from CoA Rate administrator, which can range between $3,000 - $5,000. Once site visit fee is paid, site visitors conduct site visit;
4. Based on recommendation from CoA RATE, CAAHEP notifies program of accreditation status.
Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Assistive Technology
Request for Accreditation Services Form
Field Experience Template for Programs
Field Experience Reviewer Examples
*Note to programs: there are three field experience alternatives to provide students sufficient hands-on experience with clients.
