The Assistive Technology Blog

The SETT Framework is the brainchild of Joy Smiley Zabala, an assistive technology specialist. It's "an organizational tool to help collaborative teams create Student-centered, Environmentally useful, and Tasks-focused Tool systems" that support students with disabilities in accessing and succeeding in the general education curriculum. The following excerpt is drawn from Joy Zabala's website (http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/SETTupdate2002.html):

The SETT Framework is built on the premise that in order to develop an appropriate system of assistive technology devices and services, teams must first gather information about the student, the customary environments in which the students spend their time, and the tasks that are required for the students to be active participants in the teaching/learning processes that lead to educational success. It is believed that the elements of the SETT Framework, with minor adjustments, can also be applied to non-educational environments and service plans.

Critical Elements of SETT
Collaboration
Communication
Multiple Perspectives
Pertinent information
Shared Knowledge
Flexibility
On-going Processes

It must be remembered that SETT is a framework, not a protocol. The questions under each section of the SETT Framework are expected to guide discussion rather than be complete and comprehensive in and of themselves. As each of these questions is explored, it is likely that many other questions will arise. The team continues the exploration until there is consensus that there is enough shared knowledge to make an informed, reasonable decision that can be supported by data.

For more about the framework, visit Joy Zabala's site (http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/SETTupdate2002.html).