The Assistive Technology Specialist Certificate program has been updated! For information on current offerings and to receive future program announcements, please join our program's mailing list.
Federal and state laws require that school district personnel be prepared to offer a full range of assistive technology services to provide access to curriculum content for all students. The Assistive Technology Specialist Certificate Program prepares individuals to fully understand and implement these federal and state mandates within their school, district, or program.
Each of the courses meets the professional development hours for license renewal as required by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board, as well as other state agencies.
Educational administrators, teachers, and anyone who has the desire or professional need to learn the federal and state requirements for serving the disabled within their organizations, including:
In addition, the first course, SPE 530/595 Introduction to Assistive Technology, provides a detailed overview of Assistive Technology including evaluation and assessment. This course will be of interest to a greater audience including parents of disabled students, as well as, other interested members of the community.
Courses are offered online, year-round on a trimester schedule.
Program Instructor
Paul Richard | prichard@csudh.edu
Orange County Department of Education
PO Box 9050, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-9050 | (714) 313-9303
Connect with Professor Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-richard-csudh
Paul Richard has been involved in providing access to assistive technology for individuals with disabilities since 1978. From 1978 to 1982, he was involved in a federally funded research and development project exploring the use of assistive technology with children ages birth to eight. Since 1982, he began providing assistive technology services to K-14 students enrolled at the Orange County Department of Education. These services include Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) evaluations and assessments. Other services include consultation and technical support in the operation and maintenance of these technologies.
Professional LinksThe Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)
https://www.atia.org
International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)
https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/s/about
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
https://www.asha.org
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
https://ldaamerica.org
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)
https://www.resna.org
The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT)
https://www.peatworks.org/about/
Foundation for Assistive Technology
http://www.fastuk.org/
National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Centers
https://at3center.net/
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
https://www.aota.org/
A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successful completion of the required courses.
Note: Once you have completed all the required courses, you may request your certificate via our online application. The processing time is approximately 6-8 weeks from the time of submission, and includes both a digital certificate link and a printed physical certificate.
