Our Mission

The Iowa Center for Assistive Technology Education and Research (ICATER) assists students, educators, parents, and education professionals through training, education and research to achieve full access and participation in their communities.

To this end, ICATER will:

• Maintain a lab where students can see actual demonstrations of AT equipment, software, etc.
• Provide AT modules for COE graduate and undergraduate courses.
• Provide an AT course for graduate students on issues, accommodations, and legal aspects.
• Provide Web-based AT resources related to issues, accommodations, and legal aspects. The intended audience would be COE practitioner preparation students, faculty, and in-service professionals.
• Ensure students with disabilities have needed accommodations. (Note: ICATER staff may facilitate, advocate, and/or be the direct provider.)
• Establish and maintain partnerships with community based agencies and resources to ensure adequate support for individuals that utilize our center and services

Who can benefit:

• ICATER can help students with disabilities reach their full potential in both their academic and work endeavors. The Center will then provide the students with a place where they can try out different devices and regularly use the most current assistive technology available in assessments by determining the best methods of assistive technology for each student.
• Faculty will find ICATER an important resource for information of not only what technology is available but also how it can be used to create classroom materials that meet the educational needs of all students.
• Future teachers and counselors will become familiar with assistive technologies from university-level courses taught by the Center through the College. Future teachers will learn about assistive technology and how to make it a part of the universal design of the class. Future teachers will also learn how to work with parents and other agencies to best meet the needs of their students. Counseling students will develop psychosocial counseling skills for both students and parents on issues related to disabilities, such as self-esteem, accommodations, and aiding the transition from school to work or higher education.
• The establishment and identification of partnerships with leading organizations in the field of assitive technology will expand our knowledge and service base on a local, state and national level. This in turn will enable ICATER to benefit and reach more people than ever before.

Contact Information

For more information on ICATER services, Assistive Technology, or AT devices please address correspondence to, telephone or e-mail:

James R. Stachowiak, ATP
Coordinator
The University of Iowa
College of Education
N168 Lindquist Center
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1529

Telephone: 319-335-5280

Fax: 319-335-5386

Email: icater@uiowa.edu