Member agencies of Kern Assistive Technology Center have demonstrated a commitment to serving the technology needs of people with disabilities in our community. Member agencies also agree to make a significant contribution to the Center. This contribution is resources such as staff time, financial contributions, equipment, and use of facilities.
The Bakersfield City School District Special Education Department is a founding member agency of KATC. Since the beginning BCSD has been supportive of the mission of the Center and uses the resources of the Center to provide professional development to it's staff including sending people to the AT Certificate Course, and participating in KATC's KidSmart Program. In the past the District has also supplied the Equipment Loan Library.
The Independent Living Center of Kern County is a founding member of KATC. The ILC has supported KATC by providing staff support, sending people through the AT Certificate Course and utilizing the expertise of KATC to provide staff development.
The Kern County Constortium SELPA is a founding member of KATC. The SELPA has supported the Center by providing staff time and equipment for the Loan Library. The SELPA also has contracted with the Center to provide AT assessment and training services to students served within the districts that compose the Kern County Consortium SELPA.
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools is a founding member of the Kern Assistive Technology Center. From it's inception KSCOS has provided leadership in the development of the training programs that KATC offer. KSCOS has also provided staff time and support as well as use of facilities for the Center.
The Kern High School District Special Education Department is a founding member of KATC. Since the beginning KHSD has been supportive of the vision of KATC. In fact when KATC was first founded all equipment that was housed at KHSD Loan Library was given to KATC. Some of this equipment is still being used today. KHSD also has supported the Center by contracting for professional development services.
The Kern Regional Center is a founding member of the Kern Assistive Technology Center. KRC has sent staff and users of AT through the AT Certificate Course and is the primary financial contributor to the Center through a contract that provides for AT Information and Referral, AT Consultation/Assessment, and access to the Equipment Loan Library.
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KATC is a proud member of the AT Network. To meet the assistive technology (AT) needs of Californians, the AT Network was created in 2000 by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC), under a contract with the California AT System, a branch of the California Department of Rehabilitation. Today, the Network is coordinated by the Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) under contract with the California Department of Rehabilitation. The AT Network is expanding the accessibility of tools, resources and technology that will help increase independence, improve personal productivity, and enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
The AT Network provides information, referrals, training, and technical assistance to those who share an interest in and commitment to the practical and effective use of technology by people with disabilities. KATC is partnering with the AT Network by providing professional development services to it's members and working to accomplish the vision of the Network in our community and throughout the state.
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The ATA is a growing national network of technology resource centers, organizations, individuals and companies. ATA encourages and facilitates the empowerment of people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities.
Through public education, information and referral, capacity building in community organizations, and advocacy/policy efforts, the ATA enables millions of people to live, learn, work, define their futures, and achieve their dreams.
“ATA … connecting children and adults with disabilities and functional limitations to technology.”
The ATA community is you. It is parents, providers, technology users, advocates, developers, consultants and more. Take a look around - there is a lot going on at the ATA and the ATA Community section of our web site is a great place to start!
The local ATA Centers are the best place to get hands on help and assistance with the tools. With over 40 centers across the USA with a bit of luck there is one near you.
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