EducationISCO 2359
Assistive technologist
Assistive technologists work to improve access to learning or/and improving independence and participation for individuals with disabilities. They do this through learner support and staff support with activities such as assessments, training and guidance. Assistive technologists have a good understanding of learners’ needs and a wide technology knowledge relevant to learning, living or work context. The role requires knowledge of assistive technology hardware and software such as text to speech, prediction, dictation, vision and physical access tools.
Check yourself in a minute: assistive technologist
Rate 5 of the 38 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
manage government-funded programmes
cooperate with education professionals
stimulate students' independence
ensure compliance with legal requirements
provide education management support
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (38)
assistive technology in educationassistive technology in educationDigital devices and equipment that support learners with learning, communication or mobility challenges to access educational resources and achieve their full potential. It includes software such as t...screen readerscreen readerSoftware program which converts screen elements such as text, images, or buttons, displayed in the computer into Braille or speech. Assistive technology used by visually impaired or blind people to in...curriculum standardscurriculum standardsThe governmental policies concerning educational curricula and the approved curricula from specific educational institutions.assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...special needs learning equipmentspecial needs learning equipmentThe materials used by a special needs teacher for training students with special educational needs in their classes, more specifically tools such as sensory equipment and equipment for stimulating mot...ICT accessibility standardsICT accessibility standardsThe recommendations for making ICT content and applications more accessible to a wider range of people, mostly with disabilities, such as blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss and cognit...disability caredisability careThe specific methods and practices used in providing care to people with physical, intellectual and learning disabilities.disability typesdisability typesThe nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled peop...project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.assistive instrumentsassistive instrumentsThe field of dealing with people in need of service animals and the working of assistive devices and technologies.behavioural disordersbehavioural disordersThe often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).human-computer interactionhuman-computer interactionThe study of the behaviour and interaction between digital devices and human beings.online moderation techniquesonline moderation techniquesThe strategies and methods used to interact online and moderate online users and groups.domotic systemsdomotic systemsResidential intelligent building installations for lighting, heating, security, etc that can be controlled remotely. Domotic systems aim at improving the quality of life inside houses and buildings, i...development delaysdevelopment delaysThe condition in which a child or adult needs more time to reach certain development milestones than that needed by the average person not affected by a development delay.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.special needs educationspecial needs educationThe teaching methods, equipment and settings used to support students with special needs in achieving succes in school or community.manage government-funded programmesmanage government-funded programmesImplement and monitor the development of projects subsidized by regional, national or European authorities.cooperate with education professionalscooperate with education professionalsCommunicate with teachers or other professionals working in education in order to identify needs and areas of improvement in education systems, and to establish a collaborative relationship.stimulate students' independencestimulate students' independenceEncourage students with special needs to perform tasks independently, without the help from a caregiver and teach them personal independence skills.ensure compliance with legal requirementsensure compliance with legal requirementsGuarantee compliance with established and applicable standards and legal requirements such as specifications, policies, standards or law for the goal that organisations aspire to achieve in their effo...provide education management supportprovide education management supportSupport the management of an education institution by directly assisting in the managerial duties or by providing information and guidance from your area of expertise to simplify the managerial tasks.provide specialised instruction for special needs studentsprovide specialised instruction for special needs studentsInstruct students in need of specialised attention, often in small groups, catering to their individual needs, disorders, and disabilities. Promote the psychological, social, creative or physical deve...provide assistive technologyprovide assistive technologyProvide persons with assistive technology to enable them to perform activities more functionally.protect personal data and privacyprotect personal data and privacyProtect personal data and privacy in digital environments. Understand how to use and share personally identifiable information while being able to protect oneself and others from damages. Understand t...liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...evaluate education programmesevaluate education programmesEvaluate ongoing training programmes and advise on potential optimisation.assess users' interaction with ICT applicationsassess users' interaction with ICT applicationsEvaluate how users interact with ICT applications in order to analyse their behaviour, draw conclusions (for instance about their motives, expectations and goals) and improve applications' functionali...monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.identify education needsidentify education needsIdentify the needs of students, organisations and companies in terms of provision of education in order to aid in the development of curricula and education policies.promote education programmespromote education programmesPromote ongoing research into education and the development of new education programmes and policies in order to obtain support and funds, and to raise awareness.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...assist children with special needs in education settingsassist children with special needs in education settingsAssist children with special needs, identifying their needs, modifying classroom equipment to accommodate them and helping them participate in school activities.measure software usabilitymeasure software usabilityCheck the convenience of the software product for the end user. Identify user problems and make adjustments to improve usability practice. Collect input data on how users evaluate software products.guide learners in using assistive technologiesguide learners in using assistive technologiesInstruct and guide learners on how to use assistive technologies appropriate to their specific learning challenge: such as word prediction, text-to-speech or speech recognition. Explain the features o...present reportspresent reportsDisplay results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.organise projects to fill education needsorganise projects to fill education needsFill education gaps by organising projects and activities that help people to grow academically, socially or emotionally.
Optional (14) — show
funding methodsfunding methodsThe financial possibilities for funding projects such as the traditional ones, namely loans, venture capital, public or private grants up to alternative methods such as crowdfunding.education laweducation lawThe area of law and legislation that concerns education policies and the people working in the sector in an (inter)national context, such as teachers, students, and administrators.government policygovernment policyThe political activities, plans, and intentions of a government for a legislative session for concrete causes.application usabilityapplication usabilityThe process through which the learnability, efficiency, usefulness and ease of use of a software application can be defined and measured.education administrationeducation administrationThe processes related to the administrative areas of an education institution, its director, employees, and students.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.develop organisational policiesdevelop organisational policiesDevelop and supervise the implementation of policies aimed at documenting and detailing the procedures for the operations of the organisation in the lights of its strategic planning.provide feedback to teachersprovide feedback to teachersCommunicate with the teacher in order to provide them with detailed feedback on their teaching performance, class management and curriculum adherence.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.coordinate educational programmescoordinate educational programmesPlan and coordinate educational and public outreach programs such as workshops, tours, lectures and classes.follow research on special needs educationfollow research on special needs educationKeep up to date with new studies and related upcoming regulations concerning education for students with special needs.advise on lesson plansadvise on lesson plansAdvise on the ways in which lesson plans for specific lessons can be improved in order to reach education goals, engage the students and adhere to the curriculum.apply for government fundingapply for government fundingGather information on and apply for subsidies, grants, and other financing programmes provided by the government to small- and large-scale projects or organisations in various fields.advise on teaching methodsadvise on teaching methodsAdvise education professionals on the proper adaptation of curricula in lesson plans, classroom management, professional conduct as a teacher, and other activities and methods related to teaching.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
special educational needs coordinator16 shared essential skillsspecial educational needs head teacher10 shared essential skillsspecial educational needs teacher8 shared essential skillsuniversity department head8 shared essential skillsdeputy head teacher7 shared essential skillseducational researcher7 shared essential skillsprimary school head teacher7 shared essential skillssecondary school department head7 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does an assistive technologist do?
Assistive technologists work to improve access to learning or/and improving independence and participation for individuals with disabilities. They do this through learner support and staff support with activities such as assessments, training and guidance. Assistive technologists have a good understanding of learners’ needs and a wide technology knowledge relevant to learning, living or work context. The role requires knowledge of assistive technology hardware and software such as text to speech, prediction, dictation, vision and physical access tools.
What skills does an assistive technologist need?
An assistive technologist needs 38 essential skills, including assistive technology in education, screen reader, curriculum standards, assessment processes, special needs learning equipment.
Will AI replace assistive technologist jobs?
The AI disruption score for assistive technologist is 27/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: domotic systems, manage budgets, online moderation techniques. Most resilient: disability care, stimulate students' independence, assist children with special needs in education settings.
AI Replacement Risk
27/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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