Three students working on a computer together.

Atmos Energy Assistive Technology Lab

Raising Awareness

Get acquainted with the latest assistive technology as you prepare to empower individuals with disabilities and prepare future teachers. With our unique Atmos Energy Assistive Technology Lab, East Texas A&M is at the forefront of innovation.

Raising Awareness

As a collaboration among the Department of Psychology and Special Education, the Center for Information Technology Excellence, and Velma K. Waters Library, this unique facility features multiple examples of assistive technology specifically designed to empower individuals with disabilities and educate future teachers.

A female student in front of a sign that says scanner reader video magnifier.

from dream to reality

Since I arrived in Commerce in 2009, I’ve dreamed of developing the Atmos Energy Assistive Technology Lab. It has been such a fun project to plan! I am sincerely thankful to the many individuals who assisted in making this dream a reality for East Texas A&M students and practicing teachers alike. As always, East Texas A&M is leading the way with innovative practices. I sincerely hope that the AT Lab will serve as a vehicle to raise awareness about available technologies and the individuals who benefit from them.

Beth Jones

Professor

STUDENT Resources

Assistive Technology and the Individual Education Program

Learn more about assistive technology and how it relates to the individual education program (IEP).

Writing Assistive Technology Into the IEP

Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology

Learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how it relates to assistive technology.

Assistive Technology and the Law

Our Services

Calling All School Districts!

Does your staff need professional development in the area of assistive technology (AT) for students with disabilities? We can help!

Stations

Our assistive technology lab is organized by stations to help serve visitors with:

Sensory Impairments
Print Disabilities
Communication and Behavior Disabilities
Physical Impairments
Daily Living
Recreation and Leisure
Reading/Video Magnifier Technology

Uses

Beyond our technology, the lab is designed to:

Expose participants to a range of available assistive technology
Familiarize attendees with legislation governing AT and the IEP
Share information regarding conducting appropriate AT evaluations

Publications

Faculty in our Assistive Technology Lab are committed to developing research that explores new and practical ways to improve accessibility, independence and everyday experiences for people with disabilities. Through our scholarly publications, we strive to highlight ideas and innovations that help make learning, working and living more inclusive.

Jones, B. A. (2024). Training General Education Teachers in the Use of Assistive Technology. Visual Impairment and Deafblind Education Quarterly. 69(4). 41-54. [Invited Article]
Jones, B. A., Peterson-Ahmad, M., Fields, M., & *Williams, N. (2020). Training pre-service teachers to match assistive technology to student needs. Journal of Special Education Technology.
Jones, B. A., Rudinger, B., *Williams, N., & *Witcher, S. (2018). Training preservice general educators in assistive technology competencies for students with visual impairments. British Journal of Visual Impairment. Advanced online publication available for download: https://doi.org/10.1177/0264619618814066.
*Williams, N., & Jones, B. A. (2018). Assistive technology in the arts and physical education. Texas Council for Exceptional Children Summer Bulletin, 4-5.
Jones, B. A., *Williams, N., & Rudinger, B. (2018). Designing and implementing an assistive technology lab for postsecondary education. Education Sciences, 8(1), 11; doi:10.3390/educsci8010011

Earn Your Degree

Looking to earn your graduate degree in special education? At East Texas A&M, our Special Education MS/MED program allows you to choose between three emphasis areas: