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research

THE NEED
There  is a pressing need for research on Assistive Technology  (AT). Specifically  there needs to be greater evidence available on what works  for individuals with  various disabilities in instructional and clinical  settings (Edyburn &  Gersten, 2007).
 
Special education technology has  had a myopic focus upon what  is new in the field and is, therefore, subject  to the same criticisms as the  field of educational technology in terms of  advances being advocated on the  basis of ideology rather than research validation  of what works  (Willis,2003).

The research that has been done in  the field of AT has been  done largely in academic settings. These settings  have produced rigorous  scholarship, but most often produce results slowly.  However the immediacy of  the requirement for expanded research demands  alternative avenues of  study.

THE ROLE OF THE CENTER FOR AT EXCELLENCE
The Center  has attempted to help meet this need by supporting research in AT in several  ways:
1.    Consulting with manufacturers and publishers in the AT industry about how they can expand research opportunities  for their  products.
2.    Partnering with schools, hospitals  and universities to conduct small group and single study research involving  individuals with disabilities. 
3.    Developing tools to help clinicians conduct single subject and small  group research as part of  evidence based practice (EBP) such that these studies  may be used  in subsequent  meta-analyses.
4.    Engaging in research as part of  its consulting and direct services to individuals with disabilities.