What to Expect
Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits in one of three tracks:
Track 1: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Required courses (12 credits):
- DHD 539: Assistive Technology: Foundations, Access, and Innovation (3)
- DHD 551: Alternative Access Assessment: AAC, Computers, and Mobile Technology (3)
- DHD 554: Augmentative Communication Assessment (3)
- DHD 590: Field Experience in DHD (3 CH)
- Selectives (3 credits) – select one:
- DHD 567: AAC and Autism Spectrum Disorder (3)
- DHD 568: AAC in Educational Settings (3)
Track 2: AT for Educational Settings
- Required courses (9 credits):
- DHD 539: Assistive Technology: Foundations, Access, and Innovation (3)
- DHD 568: AAC in Educational Settings (3)
- DHD 590: Field Experience in DHD (3)
- Selectives (6 credits) – select two:
- DHD 548: AT Tools for Education (3)
- DHD 551: Alternative Access Assessment for AAC, Computers and Mobile Technology (3)
- DHD 555: Consideration, Assessment, and Documentation in AT in PreK12 Education (3)
- DHD 556: Functional and Community Mobility and the Environment: Enhancing Participation for Individuals with Disabilities (3)
Track 3: Comprehensive AT
- Required courses (12 credits):
- DHD 442: Disability, Communication, and Social Participation (3)
- DHD 539: Assistive Technology: Foundations, Access, and Innovation (3)
- DHD 551: Alternative Access Assessment for AAC, Computers and Mobile Technology (3)
- DHD 556: Functional and Community Mobility and the Environment: Enhancing Participation for Individuals with Disabilities (3)
- Selectives (3 credits) – select one:
- DHD 441: Adaptive Equipment Design and Fabrication (3)
- DHD 590: Field Experience in Disability and Human Development (3)
Courses
Explore semester schedules — including courses, activities and opportunities — by clicking through the tabs below.
Fall online courses
| Credit Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | Course Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHD 539 | Assistive Technology: Foundations, Access, and Innovation | 3 | Advanced topics in assistive technology for practitioners, exploring foundational concepts, frameworks, access, and innovation to foster inclusive, person-centered solutions across clinical and educational settings. |
| DHD 551 | Computer and AAC Access Assessment | 3 | Students will identify and assess alternative access to mobile technology, computers, and augmentative and alternative communication systems for people with disabilities, including indirect and direct selection and mounting of devices. |
| DHD 555 | Consideration, Assessment and Documentation of Assistive Technology in PreK-12 Educational Setting | 3 | An introduction to the delivery of assistive technology (AT) services in the PreK-12 educational setting. Includes the legal foundation, models of AT service delivery, and practical components of AT consideration, assessment, and documentation. |
| DHD 590 | Field Experience | 3 | Opportunities for guided experience working with agencies, families, and persons with disabilities providing concrete, practical applications of concepts and principles of assistive technology services. |
Spring semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | Course Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHD 442 | Disability, Communication, and Social Participation | 3 | Focuses on communication within disability across the lifespan. Topics include Communication Bill of Rights, varying communication disabilities, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication strategies and tools. |
| DHD 548 | Assistive Technology Tools in the PK-12 Educational Setting | 3 | Explores a range of tool features, specific products, and training strategies to support active participation and learning in educational settings for students ages 3-22 with high and low incidence disabilities. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. |
| DHD 554 | Augmentative Communication Assessment | 3 | Augmentative communication assessment strategies and evaluation of materials development. Utilizes case examples for discussion of specific approaches for different ages, disabilities, and settings. |
| DHD 556 | Functional and Community Mobility and the Environment | 3 | Focuses on assessment of seating & positioning for functional use of a manual/powered wheelchair for those with physical disabilities. Assessment procedures, technology selection, funding, & applicable research are covered. |
| DHD 590 | Field Experience | 3 | Opportunities for guided experience working with agencies, families, and persons with disabilities providing concrete, practical applications of concepts and principles of disability and human development. |
Summer
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours | Course Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHD 441 | Adaptive Equipment Design and Fabrication | 3 | Examination of the interaction between design and disability, through comparison of appropriate design theories, materials, and work on consumer-based issues. |
| DHD 567 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 | Explores neurodiverse-affirming AAC assessment and intervention for individuals with autism, emphasizing research-based and intervention strategies and inclusive communication across educational and community contexts. |
| DHD 568 | Supporting Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Educational Settings | 3 | Explores instruction and intervention strategies that can be used in inclusive K-12 settings to aid language and educational growth for students who use augmentative communication systems. |
Summer
Resources
UIC Disability Resource Center
Empowering the UIC community with the knowledge, resources and skills necessary to ensure full access and engagement for students with disabilities in all aspects of college life
UIC Disability Cultural Center
Engage an understanding of disability as a social justice issue and a site for identity, community and culture