Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB): Volume 18

Looking Back and Moving Forward: 20 Years of Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits

The Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB) journal was launched by the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) in 2004 in effort to advance the assistive technology (AT) field and highlight new information on the outcomes and benefits of AT for persons with disabilities. ATOB is a leading, open access, peer-reviewed journal in the field of AT.

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Table of Contents for ATOB Volume 18

Introduction to Volume 18 (page viii)
Anya S. Evmenova, Ph.D., David Banes, Ph.D., Russell T. Cross, Ph.D., Dan Ding, Ph.D, Lori Geist, Ph.D., Kathryn Helland, M.S., William E. James, Ph.D., Judith Schoonover, M.S., and Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky, Ph.D.

Voices from Academia

Developing a Holistic Process to Measure Assistive Technology Outcomes (page 1)
Diane Bell, Ph.D., Natasha Layton, Ph.D., Roger O. Smith, Ph.D.,
Marcia J. Scherer, Ph.D., and Emma M. Smith, E.M., Ph.D.

Actual and Preferred Methods for Learning to Use Assistive Technology (page 20)
Michele C. McDonnall, PhD, CRC, Anne Steverson, and Jamie Boydstun, PhD

Integrating Assistive Technology into the Writing Process: An Example for Future Implications (page 36)
Sean J. Smith, PhD, Amber Rowland, PhD, K. Alisa Lowrey, PhD, Jana Craig-Hare, PhD, Bruce Frey, PhD

Impacts of an Assistive Technology Graduate Program: A Case Study (page 51)
Lauren Tucker, EdD

Assistive Technology Training in Transition Programming (page 66)
Jennifer Veenendall, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, Shirley O’Brien, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
and Julie Duckart, PhD, OTR/L

Voices from the Industry

Accessible Mobile Phones: Bridging the Gap in AT Provision and Service Delivery (page 84)
David Banes, M.Ed., Sabine Lobnig, M.Phil., and Michael Milligan, LL.M.

Revolutionizing Augmentative and Alternative Communication with Generative Artificial Intelligence (page 100)
Kenneth R. Hackbarth, M.S., M.S., M.E.

Voices from the Field

Shared Reading with Core Vocabulary: Creating Interactive Experiences at Home (page 124)
Colleen McIndoe and Aftynne E. Cheek, Ph.D.

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology: How an Idea Grew (page 137)
Penny Reed, Ph.D., Gayl Bowser, M.S., Diana Carl, M.A., Kelly Fonner, M.S.,
Terry Foss, M.Ed., Jane Korsten, M.S., Kathleen, Lalk, M.S., Joan Breslin Larson, M.Ed.,
Scott Marfilius, M.A., Susan McCloskey, M.S., Matthew Newton, Ed.S, Shannon Paige, M.S.,
Stacy Springer, M.S., and Brian Wojcik, Ed.D.

How Far We’ve Come: How Assistive Technology Changed the Game (page 156)
Jan Shea, MSW, Kelly Ligon, M.Ed., and Katherine Martinez, B.S.


About ATOB Volume 18

In nearly 20 years since its inception, ATOB has published voices from the field, industry, and academia across many different topics. Articles focused on specific types of AT (e.g., for Autism Spectrum Disorders, literacy, communication, etc.) as well as on overarching processes (e.g., technology transfer, research and development, personnel preparation); see ATOB Archives. Two issues were published in 2021 that focused on providing AT services during the pandemic (ATOB Volume 16.1) and creating accessible public health materials during a pandemic (ATOB Volume 16.2)

To support and commemorate ATOB’s 20th anniversary, Volume 18 invited authors to submit manuscripts that described broad assistive technology outcomes and benefits across all forms of assistive technology for any age group. Manuscripts focused on original research focused on the impact of specific AT devices as well as focus on overall importance of providing high-quality AT services. Families and AT users as well as other stakeholders were encouraged to share how AT has impacted their lives. International manuscripts were encouraged. New and returning authors were invited to submit original manuscripts as well as updates to published ATOB articles. Articles for Volume 18 include a robust and detailed section titled Outcomes and Benefits, containing a discussion related to the impact of the AT devices/services.

How have our experiences in the last 20 years possibly shaped the design of AT devices and decisions around AT services moving forward? What might the future of the AT field for us look like in the next 20 years?


About ATOB

The ATOB journal’s purpose is to:

  • Foster communication among stakeholders interested in the field of AT, including manufacturers, vendors, practitioners, policy makers, researchers, individuals with disabilities, and family members,
  • Facilitate evidence-based demonstrations and case-based dialogue regarding effective AT devices and services; and
  • Help stakeholders advocate for effective AT devices and services.

The unique feature of ATOB is providing a dissemination platform to different AT stakeholders. In addition to traditional scholarly contributions, ATOB publishes the experiences of AT practitioners and AT users.

Manuscripts may be submitted under three categories:

  1. Voices from the Field
  2. Voices from the Industry
  3. Voices from Academia

Read more About ATOB.