Assistive Technology Assessment

The WATI (Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative) assessment model also originated from this initiative. The WATI model is primarily intended for use in the educational system, but with certain adaptations, it can also be used in the healthcare system. The WATI assessment model incorporates the SETT Framework, which enables the straightforward collection and organisation of information on which the team bases its selection of appropriate assistive technology (WATI, 2009).

The instruments and checklists in the WATI assessment model are divided into four main groups:

1. WATI Checklists for Gathering User Information  
These checklists are designed to collect general user data, assess abilities and needs, and review previous experience with assistive technology. Initially, general information about the user must be completed (personal data, details of disability, type of therapy attended, medical condition, information on current and previous use of assistive technology). The checklists also cover 12 areas: seating, positioning, and mobility; communication; access to computers and devices; motor aspects of writing; composition of written materials; reading; mathematics; organisation; leisure; vision; hearing; and general.

2. WATI Checklists for Gathering Environmental Information  
These checklists are intended to describe the user's environment, sensory stimulation, people present, access to assistive technology, methods of task completion, and difficulties encountered during task performance. All questions in these checklists may be adapted depending on the environment.

3. WATI Checklists for AT Decision Making  
This checklist summarises all previously collected information. Specific problems are identified and solutions proposed; the most suitable solution is then selected from the proposed options, a plan and programme are created and implemented, and finally, members reconvene to evaluate the assistive technology solution.

4. WATI AT Checklist  
This consists of a list of assistive technologies according to their purpose and serves as a reminder to team members of possible assistive technology solutions.

The following link is available in Croatian only. Participants may use free AI-powered translation tools to access the provided materials.

The instructions for implementation and the assessment checklists of the WATI instrument have been translated into Croatian and are available in the paper by Pinjatela, R., and Vinceković, I. (2023). Assistive Technology Assessment.  ATTEND e-tečaj: Vodič do ostvarenja jednakih mogućnosti za učenike s teškoćama u razvoju. Taken under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International license.