Contact Institute for Human Development

Community resources

The institute provides many services and support for the surrounding community. These include:

Community training

In-service training on a wide range of subjects that affect the lives of persons with disabilities is provided for:

agencies
administrators
professionals
paraprofessionals
consumers
family members

For more information, contact:

Jill.Pleasant@nau.edu

Technical assistance

Technical assistance may consist of:

the development and implementation of needs and assessment studies
websites
research design and data analysis
program evaluation
disability training curricula
policy analysis studies
strategic plans
grant applications
program and grant management

For more information, contact:

Jill.Pleasant@nau.edu

Direct services

IHD provides direct services through contracts with state service agencies that include:

early childhood assessment interventions
assistive technology assessment
orientation and mobility instruction for adults who are visually impaired

For more information, contact:

Jill.Pleasant@nau.edu

NAU-IHD-AzTAP AAC Evaluation and Training Program

As part of its Assistive Technology Services, IHD has been providing comprehensive augmentative communication evaluations to children and adults with complex communication needs for more than 15 years through its contract with the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)*. After the client receives his or her device, follow-up training will be provided when authorized by DDD.

*NAU requires an authorization from DDD for Augmentative Communication (AAC) Evaluations and Training before services can be provided for DDD clients. If you have a DDD eligible family member who is nonverbal and might benefit from an AAC device, please contact your Support Coordinator and request that they initiate the process for an AAC evaluation.

Assistive Technology Center (AT Center)

The Assistive Technology (AT) Center is a resource to the communities of Northern Arizona. Located on the Northern Arizona University campus, the Center is a program of the Institute for Human Development (IHD) and supports the mission of IHD through the provision of direct services, interdisciplinary training, technical assistance, and information dissemination related to the field of AT.

Assistive Technology (AT) is any piece of equipment or device that may be used by a person with a disability to perform specific tasks and improve functional capabilities. Properly selected assistive technology products enable individuals with disabilities to become more independent and productive.

Assistive Technology can include:

eating devices
adaptive toys
communication aids
alternative computer access
aids to assist with walking, dressing, and other activities of daily living
visual aids
aids to augment hearing

This technology may range from very low-cost, low-tech adaptations (such as a battery interrupter and switch to make a toy accessible) to high-tech, very expensive devices (such as a powered wheelchair and environmental controller operated by tongue-touch).

People with disabilities may use assistive technology to: