The AT Forum Position Paper

In July 2004, the Forum produced a Position Paper as a founding document. The Paper provides a clear, accessible analysis of the fragmentation in this field and outlines five problems affecting all AT sectors.

This analysis is still relevant today and the Paper provides a succinct overview for anyone new to the field. The paper proposes an action plan to be taken forward collaboratively by Forum members and the wider AT community.

AT service infrastructure:

• National, comprehensive standards for service provision
• Workforce development strategies including occupational standards and education and qualification pathways
• A coherent information strategy to meet the needs of users and carers, practitioners and commissioners
• Programmes to involve users in planning services
• Mechanisms to achieve greater service integration between specialist and local services

Additional work on AT service improvement: communication aid services

FAST recently initiated a review, which is being undertaken in partnership with Scope and Becta, of the options for establishing adequate national coverage of communication aids services at a local level. One meeting was held in the summer with a meeting  held on the 17th November, following which a report will be circulated with findings and recommendations for action.