Membership of the Professional Association of Assistive Technologists is open to professionals working in Assistive Technology.
The application process helps us ensure consistent standards across the profession, while recognising the wide range of roles, backgrounds and experience within AT.
The application involves
The application is completed online and reviewed by our assessors.
Before you start, please note:
- You will need to create an account or log in to apply.
- You will be asked to upload your completed application form. In addition, you will be offered the opportunity to upload your CV and any additional evidence you would like to submit in support of your application. You will find it helpful to have these documents saved in a place on your device or network that you can easily access during this upload process.
- You can save your application and return to it later.
- Before you submit your application, you will be offered a chance to preview your whole application.
- The final stage of submission is payment of an assessment processing fee. You will find it helpful to have your payment details readily available to type in at this point.
- Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by our assessment team.
Membership fees
| Membership type | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Associate member | £100.00 |
| Member | £150.00 |
| Senior member | £200.00 |
An application fee of £50.00 applies to all membership categories. Once your application is approved, this amount is deducted from your membership fee.
Our core principles
Being an effective Assistive Technologist is as much about ‘mind-set’ as it is skills. PAAT recognises practitioners who are committed to a user-centred and evidence-based approach, and who value developing their own practice as well as supporting the practice of others. Members of PAAT demonstrate a commitment to:
User-centred practice
That respects the rights of AT users (and/or where appropriate their advocates) to access and use AT, supports them to make informed decisions about their AT use, and adapts AT and AT support to ensure all of their AT related needs are met. Key components of user-centred practice include advocacy, presumption of capacity, and supported decision-making in relation to managing any potential risks of AT use.
Evidence-based practice
That actively seeks and evaluates evidence in order to identify and implement the best possible AT solutions. This evidence may be derived from a range of sources, including feedback from the AT user when reviewing personal goals and progress, personal and AT user reflections on the effectiveness of previous AT solutions, publicly disseminated AT research, and AT policy documents and debates.
Continual development of own professional practice
That regularly reflects on successes and failures of own practice, regularly plans and appraises current and future goals, and regularly attends externally run professional development initiatives such as university or college courses, supplier courses, webinars from recognised organisations, and conferences, whether research or practitioner focused.
Community-focused practice
That actively seeks to work with other professionals who are supporting the AT user, for example through multi-disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary teamwork, as well as supporting the developing practice of other AT practitioners through sharing and disseminating their own and others’ best practice.
Our core competencies
Technical knowledge of AT on its own is not sufficient to demonstrate competence as an Assistive Technologist. PAAT recognises ‘well-rounded’ practitioners who have a good understanding of the AT user, AT, the AT eco-system, and the wider AT context. Members demonstrate competency in the following areas:
AT users
A knowledge of the strengths, needs, preferences, and aspirations of AT users, and how these might inform the decisions they make about the role and value of AT in their lives.
AT
An understanding of the constraints and benefits of different AT for AT users, together with the technical knowledge and ability to use AT relevant to their workplace, including accessibility settings that meet the needs of the people they are supporting.
The AT eco-system
An understanding of the processes by which access to AT is funded, assessed, delivered, and evaluated within the contexts in which AT professionals are working.
The wider AT context
An understanding of relevant national and international legislation and how it applies in context, for example how equalities, inclusion, accessibility, and rights are affected by access, or lack of access, to suitable AT.
Account requirement
To protect your information and allow you to track your application, you must be logged in to apply. If you already have an account, please log in. If you are new to PAAT, you will be prompted to create an account before starting your application.
What happens after submission
After you submit your application:
- Your application status will be visible in your account
- An assessor may contact you if clarification or additional information is needed
- You will be notified when a decision has been made