What to Expect
Thinking about enrolling in our program? Find out what you can expect.
Students must complete a minimum of 13 credit hours.* All students are required to complete DHD 440: Introduction to Assistive Technology and DHD 590: Field Experience.
Students work with their faculty advisor to choose elective courses based on their professional goals and area of interest, including an assessment-related course. We offer electives in augmentative and alternative communication; AT in educational settings; computer access; AT design and fabrication (DIY maker); environmental modification; and seating and wheeled mobility.
Most students take 1-3 credits of coursework per semester and complete the program within four semesters (e.g. fall, spring, summer, fall). Individual courses taken prior to admittance may be applied toward certificate requirements. Students must maintain a B average overall and only courses with a grade of C or above will meet completion requirements.
* Starting Spring 2022. The requirement for current students is 12 credits.
Summer online courses
| DHD 559 | Ergonomics and Safety for Workers with Disabilities (CRCC approved) Instructor: Hedman | 1 credit |
| DHD 567 | AAC for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Instructor: Bay | 2 credits |
| DHD 569 | Environmental Modification Instructor: Hedman | 1 credit |
| DHD 594 | Special Topic: Technology to Support Universal Design for Learning Instructor: Skalitzky | 1 credit |
| DHD 594 | Special Topic: Assistive Technology and Transportation Instructor: Salkas | 2 credits |
| DHD 594 | Special Topic: 3D Printing in Assistive Technology Instructor: Hooyenga | 1 credit |
Summer lab-based courses
| DHD 441 | Adaptive Equipment Design and Fabrication Instructors: Hooyenga, Graham & Hedman | 3 credits |
Resources
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Student handbook
Complete description of courses, field experience options and policies
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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
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UIC Disability Cultural Center
Engage an understanding of disability as a social justice issue and a site for identity, community and culture
Fall online courses
| DHD 440 | Introduction to Assistive Technology Required Course (fall or spring) Instructors: All ATCP faculty | 3 credits |
| DHD 544 | Assistive Technology in Early Childhood Settings Instructors: Woodson | 2 credits |
| DHD 548 | Assistive Technology Tools for Education Instructors: Cochrane, Lenzo & Bass | 3 credits |
| DHD 553 | Assistive Technology for individuals who are Visually Impaired or Blind Instructor: Sessler-Trinkowsky | 1 credit |
| DHD 554 (NOTE: Moving to Spring in 2024; will not be offered Fall 2023) | Augmentative Communication Assessment Instructor: Bay | 3 credits |
| DHD 555 | Consideration, Assessment, and Documentation of AT in PreK-12 Educational Settings Instructor: Cochrane | 3 credits |
| DHD 566 Note: Moving to Spring 2024. Will not be offered Fall 2023. | Intro to Microcontrollers in Assistive Technology Instructors: Hooyenga & Browning | 2 credits |
| DHD 590 (by arrangement) | Field Experience Instructors: Miller | 1 credit |
Spring online courses
| DHD 440 | Introduction to Assistive Technology Required Course (fall or spring) Instructors: All ATCP faculty | 3 credits |
| DHD 555 | Consideration, Assessment, and Documentation of AT in PreK-12 Educational Settings Instructor: Cochrane | 3 credits |
| DHD 556 | Seating and Positioning for Wheelchair Mobility Instructor: Sposato | 1 credit – first 5 weeks |
| DHD 557 | Manual and Powered Wheelchair Technology Instructor: Sposato | 2 credits – last 10 weeks |
| DHD 568 (NOTE: Moving to Fall in 2023) | Supporting Augmentative Communication in Educational Settings Instructor: TBD | 3 credits |
| DHD 562 Note: Moving to Fall 2023 | Mobile Technology and Computers: Built-In Accessibility Features Instructors: Hooyenga & Brown | 1 credit |
| DHD 590 (by arrangement) | Field Experience Instructors: Miller | 1 credit |
Field experience options:
There are four options for the field experience:
- Working professionals can complete a field experience within their own work setting and work responsibilities under the supervision of a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). If no RESNA-certified ATP is available onsite, remote supervision will be provided by our faculty using Zoom (offered all semesters).
- Students can complete a comprehensive investigation of regional AT services and an observation of AT service delivery at approved sites in their geographical area (offered all semesters).
- Students can complete a case study within their scope of practice. The case study is intended to simulate a direct service and will be self-selected (based on a client to whom AT services have been provided in the past or will be provided in the future).
- Students near Chicago can take DHD 441 Adaptive Equipment Design and Fabrication, a lab-based course taught on-campus during the summer (offered every two years).