Position Title: Assistive Technology & Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) Specialist (Anticipated)
Reports To: Director of Instructional Support Services
Work Year: 10-Month Position (plus additional summer days)
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Assistive Technology & AAC Specialist provides specialized evaluation, consultation, training, and technical guidance to component school districts. This role empowers students with disabilities to achieve their IEP goals, enhance functional communication, and access grade-level literacy and instructional materials. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams—including Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, and Special Educators—the AT Specialist facilitates the integration of hardware, software, adaptive tools, and AAC systems into learning environments.
QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS:
Candidates must hold and maintain at least one of the following valid New York State certifications or professional licenses:
- Special Education Teacher.
- Speech-Language Pathologist.
Preferred Background: Experience teaching or directly supporting students with complex disabilities, strong knowledge of AAC feature matching and device trials, and familiarity with accessible digital literacy tools.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Assistive Tech Expertise: Proficiency across low-to-high tech solutions, accessibility features (iOS, Chromebooks, Windows), and hardware adaptations.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Strong ability to communicate and align strategies across speech, vision, OT/PT, and special education disciplines.
Instructional Focus: Ability to link technology solutions directly to curriculum access, IEP goals, and student independence.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Evaluation & Individualized Assessment:
- Conduct comprehensive AT and AAC evaluations for students across physical, cognitive, sensory, literacy, and communication domains.
- Utilize feature-matching frameworks to select appropriate low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech tools tailored to individual student needs.
- Assess alternate access methods, including switches, eye-gaze systems, alternate keyboards, pointing devices, and speech recognition software.
AAC Implementation & Device Trials:
- Assess, program, and support dynamic AAC devices and apps (e.g., TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life, Proloquo2Go) alongside low-tech options (GoTalks, PECS, SymbolStix overlays).
- Manage Medicaid-funded device trial workflows and facilitate student trials using iPads and specialized hardware.
- Guide educators and families in embedding functional communication strategies into everyday routines.
Inclusive Literacy & Instructional Software Supports:
- Recommend and implement digital literacy supports (text-to-speech, speech-to-text, word prediction, graphic organizers) to enhance reading, writing, and language acquisition.
- Support early learning concepts (letters, numbers, shapes) and specialized math tools for students with diverse learning needs.
- Adapt instructional materials into accessible digital formats to ensure full curriculum access.
District Consultation & Resource Management:
- Partner with component school districts to guide AT service planning, equipment acquisition, and sustainable deployment workflows.
- Manage the regional AT Lending Library, coordinating loans for iPads, switches, and specialized equipment for evaluation trials.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary CSE teams to integrate meaningful AT/AAC goals and accommodations into Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Training & Technical Coaching:
- Deliver direct, hands-on training to students, educators, related service providers, and families on hardware, software, and adaptive device setup.
- Provide technical support and device troubleshooting to maintain consistent classroom functionality.
- Lead professional learning workshops on digital accessibility standards, AAC modeling, and accessible educational materials.
This is a full-time, 10-month position that follows the school calendar.
In this position, you'll be a part of a great team that believes in our BOCES purpose of UNLEASHING POTENTIAL IN OUR COMMUNITY. We are COLLABORATIVE LEARNERS, ADVENTUROUS IN OUR WORK, SOLUTION-DRIVEN, and JOYFUL IN OUR WORK!
Benefits of Working with Us:
- Competitive salary- commensurate with teaching and experience.
- Full benefits, including health insurance.
- Paid sick, personal, and family illness leave.
- Possibility of Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
- 403(b).
- Flex Spending.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- NYS Teachers’ Retirement System pension.
Does this sound like something you would like to be a part of? Please submit your application and résumé today!
Questions about the position may be directed to Pam Horton, Director of Instructional Support Services, at
phorton@cayboces.org