Community Services

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices are systems, strategies, and tools that replace or support natural speech. Determining the best speech-generating device (SGD) requires the expertise and experience of skilled clinicians who work in collaboration with the client, their family, and other service providers. IHD has been providing comprehensive AAC evaluations to children and adults with complex communication needs for more than 20 years.

NAU AAC Evaluation and Training Program

Operating on tribal lands in 26 states, the purpose of the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) programs is to help tribal members with disabilities prepare for and obtain gainful employment. To assist AIVRS project in achieving that goal, in October 2015 IHD was awarded a five-year grant and entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration. Its purpose was to develop the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) in order to provide education, guidance, and technical assistance (TA) to AIVRS projects. With renewed funding as of October 2021, and in partnership with Northwest Indian College’s Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, AIVRTTAC can continue to develop and provide three types of training and TA to 93 AIVRS projects across the nation.

1) Intensive Training and Technical Assistance (ITTA)

ITA consists of extended training and technical assistance focused on the specific needs of AIVRS projects, with goals and activities established and agreed upon by AIVRTTAC and the project receiving ITA. It might include an initial- and post-case file review; a policies and procedures review; training on program management and case management practices; and coaching and guidance on vocational rehabilitation (VR) practices and services. ITA is intended to bring about changes to policies, programs, practices, and/or operations that can increase an AIVRS project’s ability to help tribal members with disabilities obtain gainful employment.

In order to begin ITA services, the AIVRS project and AIVRTTAC develop an ITA Agreement, which involves the whole staff and stipulates a longer time commitment (several months to over a year) on the part of the AIVRS project. Typically, the ITA site is provided a minimum of two onsite visits in order to gather information that will help define and inform the activities and processes in the ITA Agreement. In addition, AIVRTTAC provides consistent in-depth virtual meetings to train staff on key topics that meet the objectives of the ITA Agreement.

During the first grant period (2015 – 2021), AIVRTTAC staff provided ITA to 31 AIVRS projects.

2) Targeted Training and Technical Assistance (TTTA)

TTA is intended to address specific topics of interest to AIVRS projects through various methods, including meetings, conferences, webinars, phone calls, and collaboration with other RSA-funded centers. AIVRTTAC annually identified the needs of AIVRS projects in collaboration with RSA, and tailored TTA activities to address those needs. TTA often takes on the form of coaching and guidance phone calls or short one-to-one emails. It also includes over 100 webinars and in-person training and TA that have been provided by AIVRTTAC since its beginnings. TTA trainings cover a wide range of topics, including conversations on self-care in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, an overview of the VR process, and best practices for project evaluation and data management.

AIVRTTAC has provided TTA to over 450 individual participants and almost all of the 93 AIVRS projects.

3) Universal Training and Technical Assistance (UTTA)

The purpose of UTA is to make AIVRTTAC materials and products available in formats that can be used independently by AIVRS staff and other individuals in the AIVRS field. It is provided through website information or resources such as newsletters, recorded webinars and Talking Circles, products and tools, toolkits, and e-learning modules, all of which can be downloaded from the AIVRTTAC website by independent users. Through UTA, AIVRTTAC has reached over 5,000 users.

AIVRTTAC staff are always seeking to understand the needs of all AIVRS projects so that we may continue to design and provide culturally responsive training and TA activities. Our ultimate goal is to improve the capacity of AIVRS projects to provide VR services and increase successful employment outcomes for all eligible tribal participants.

Wayne Dagel is the project director for AIVRTTAC.

Visit AIVRTTAC ‘s website

For more information contact:

Disclaimer. The contents of this PPT were developed under a grant from the Department of Education (PR/Award #H250Z210001). However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474). AIVRTTAC will make updates and corrections to the material in order to ensure legal sufficiency, accuracy of information, and accessibility. 

The mission of the ADE Assistive Technology Short Term Loan Library is to make a wide variety of assistive technology devices, equipment, software, and professional development materials available to school personnel in order to improve access to assistive technology—at no cost. The program is designed to provide short-term (four weeks) loans of assistive technology for learning products.

Arizona Department of Education AT Short Term Loan Library

For more information contact:

Assistive Technology (AT) includes thousands of products that enable persons with disabilities to be more productive and independent in daily activities. Our mission is to connect people with the assistive technology they need to participate as fully as possible in activities that matter to them.

AzTAP offers comprehensive set of programs and services, including:

• Information and assistance for assistive technology related questions
• Demonstrating AT devices from our inventories of approximately 4000 AT-related products
• Lending out devices for short-term use
• Consulting with clients to help them select and obtain technology that matches their unique needs
• Operating an online equipment re-use program
• Providing affordable financial loans to help people buy the technology they need

Please follow this link to AzTAP.

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 is any item, piece of equipment, or device that may be used to increase, maintain, or improve an individual’s functional capabilities. Properly selected assistive technology products enable individuals with disabilities to improve their health, wellness, and quality of life through participation and engagement in daily activities. 

Assistive Technology can include:

• adapted eating utensils
• adapted toys for play
• adapted gear for recreation and leisure
• communication aids
• alternative computer hardware and software
• tools to assist with mobility and transportation
• tools to assist with dressing and hygiene
• vision aids
• aids for hearing loss
• tools to assist with attention and memory

This technology may range from very low-cost, light-tech adaptations to higher-tech, more costly devices.

Individuals with a variety of support needs use assistive technology to:

• participate in everyday activities
• build social connections
• enjoy play and recreation
• navigate their environments safely
• communicate effectively
• complete academic requirements
• meet employment demands

For more information, please contact:

NAU IHD Assistive Technology Center (Bldg. 27, Room 171, Mountain Campus)

P.O. Box 5630

Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5630

Main Phone: 928-523-4628

FAX: 1-855-819-0087

Email: ATCenter@nau.edu

The Institute for Human Development’s Growing in Beauty Partnership Program (GIBPP) team works with the Navajo Nation’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services to provide early intervention services for children up to 3 years old who are suspected of having a disability. GIBPP staff provide professional services in disciplines such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology. The IHD/GIBPP also provides support from a licensed social worker, as needed.

For more information contact:

See our page about the Interdisciplinary Training Clinic.

As a student of the Institute for Human Development, you can gain real experience in interdisciplinary team practices through our clinic. The Interdisciplinary Training Clinic offers free comprehensive health evaluations and recommendations to children and families. It also serves as a training experience for NAU graduate students in several fields related to health and education. All our services are provided by students who are supervised by faculty members from their respective academic areas.

Participating disciplines may include:

• speech language pathology
• occupational therapy
• nursing
• physical therapy
• special education
• social work
• psychology
• educational psychology

For clients

Individuals of any age may be referred to the clinic for:

• a comprehensive developmental evaluation
• support in getting connected to resources
• technical assistance

For care givers

To refer someone under your care to the interdisciplinary training clinic, contact:

Your referral packed will be mailed to you. You will be asked to provide the following information:

• medical history
• developmental history
• educational/vocational history
• social history
• the reason for referral

Project SCOPE, Supporting Children of the OPioid Epidemic, is a national initiative to train interdisciplinary teams on emerging knowledge and evidence-based practices in screening, monitoring, and collaborative care for children impacted by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) or Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS), or who are suspected of being impacted by opioid use, trauma, or related exposure.

The Institute of Human Development has been awarded a grant to organize and lead a series of trainings for practitioners, clinicians, therapists, home visitors, Head Start staff, counselors, families, and individuals interested in learning more about supports for children on the Navajo Nation exposed to substance use.

The Institute of Human Development uses the Extension of Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) model to provide free continuing education using an instructional and case study reflection approach through video conferencing.

For more information – IHD’s Project SCOPE page.