Access Technology Trainers' Certification
Instructor: CathyAnne

Teaching Access Technology to blind and visually-impaired individuals can be a rewarding profession. All too often, access technology specialists are forced to rely on manuals for specific applications and keyboard reference cards for the specific screen reader being taught. This can be frustrating for both student and instructor.

Access Technology Institute is pleased to be able to offer training for individuals who wish to improve their skills to better serve their clients.

Through a series of demanding and intensive immersions into Microsoft Windows 98/Millennium/XP, Jaws for Windows, Window-Eyes, ZoomText, Microsoft Outlook, the Internet, and assistance in marketing skills and creating a "presence" in the world of access technology training, instructors will understand the difference between the operating system and the screen readers, be able to communicate concepts to students who have never heard the words -- menu, combo box, etc, and more.

Learn the language of the screen reader, the differences between the various flavors of Windows as well as the capabilities of the screen readers in a variety of applications.

These immersions are designed to take those with a desire to teach and give them the skills necessary to provide premier training in the use of access technology.

These demanding components will require 1.5 hours of live, voice-chat, classroom time per week. This time will consist of 1.5 hours per week training in the various programs, understanding the lessons from the perspective of the student as well as discussions of student relations, special needs of blind and visually impaired students, assessing the needs of students, dealing with rehab counselors, and more.

Private tutoring is available to help students who may have difficulty with aspects of the course.  There is no additional fee for this tutoring.

Students must complete the first 10 components listed below to qualify for full certification from ATI.  Each component consists of 8 lessons.

those wishing to acquire certification in the use of one or more applications, may sign up for a single component or as many components as desired (Windows is a mandatory component in order to participate in other componets in the course).  Please contact ATI to sign up for individual component participation. 

• Windows XP (required for all students)
• Advanced Window-eyes
• Advanced Jaws for Windows
• The Internet with Window-Eyes
• The Internet with Jaws for Windows
• ZoomText
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word
• Creating Outlines, Class Materials and Effective Communication
• Public Speaking Workshop

Upon graduation of from all 10 components, continuing services are provided.  These are provided at no additional charge and include:

• Free access to all ATI textbooks for personal use
• Continuing access to the classroom and classroom materials
• Access to future training and textbooks offered by ATI
• A free voice conference room courtesy of Talking Communities
• Access to the ATI Community forum at ATI
• Access to a Grad Chat voice conference for graduates to meet and talk

To better illustrate the expectations and format of the Access Technology Training course, two samples of the course files students review prior to each lesson are linked below. Both documents contain the same content but one is in WMV format, featuring an audio/video presentation and the other is an mp3 document that can be streamed in your favorite audio player.

Following the review of the class documents, students attend a live voice chat conference on the ATI servers to discuss the lesson, ask questions and discuss the material from a trainer's perspective.

• Sample the ATI Trainers Course (WMV Format)
• Sample the ATI Trainers Course (MP3 Format)

Students will need to supply the software necessary to participate in the training components.  Below is a link that illustrates the hardware software requirements necessary to participate effectively in the training course.

• Equipment and Software Requirements for this Class

Class Schedules and Included Materials

Sessions begin the first Tuesday of every month.  Classes are held on the first four Tuesdays of each month. from 4:00-5:30 PM Pacific.

• Access to the class material in WMV and MP3 format
• Textbooks for each component
• 1.5 hours per week of live, voice-chat, training
• Weekly Comprehensive Tests may be given
• Students may record each session for personal use within the TC Conference client
• Access to ATI Forums for students participating in the training course.

Course Enrollment and Tuition

To enroll in a scheduled component, please contact ATI.

The cost of each component is $1000.00.  To receive certification, students must participate in 10 components.  Payments are accepted via credit card, on-line shopping cart, check, or money order. Corporate and Department of Rehabilitation authorizations or vouchers are also accepted.

Authorizations may be faxed to: (800) 986-6198

Participation Requirements and Refund Policy

Success, participation, and a positive attitude toward the training are requirements for continued enrollment in this class. Enrollment in the training component is not a guarantee of graduation.  Students will be expected to know the course material and be able to communicate the skills effectively.  Students will be expected to comply with the ATI Student Guidelines.

Only those truly interested in succeeding as an Access Technology Trainer should consider enrolling in this course. The coursework is demanding and the time commitment on the part of the student will be significant.

Students will be expected to abide by the ATI Code of Conduct to receive continuing services.

Students maintain the right to withdraw from the training course at any time.  ATI maintains the right to refuse training to anyone.

There will be no refund of tuition.