About IHAT
What is assistive technology?
According to the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, it is “any product, device or equipment … used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”.
Put simply, these products enhance the independence of people with disabilities in daily living activities, communication and learning. Assistive devices can help improve physical or mental functioning, prevent the worsening of a condition, strengthen a weakness, or improve a person’s capacity to learn.
Our primary goal is to prepare professionals at the university level to effectively serve individuals in need of accessibility options and/or assistive technology services and devices.
We currently serve ECU students throughout and beyond the College of Education. We offer pre-service and in-service professional development modules in which students receive interactive, hands-on training on assistive technology devices and applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
We are located in Speight Building, Room 239.
When are you open?
Our open lab hours vary based on student staff availability. Current semester hours are posted on Canvas and outside the lab door. Please email the lab – atcenter@ecu.edu – if you would like to make an appointment for support.
Can I check assistive technology devices out? If so, how?
Yes, you can check out many of our AT devices, except for our Apple products and a few select other items. You may call, email, or stop by to request a device and IHAT Staff will check it out for you. Up to five (5) items can be checked out for two weeks at a time.
Can I visit with my service recipient or client to the AT Lab?
Yes, of course! All of our equipment is free for you to explore. We encourage people coming in to see what AT would work best to suit their needs. *Please understand that the IHAT Center does not conduct AT Evaluations and make recommendations. You are encouraged to make an appointment with your school district AT personnel or contact NCATP.org if you are in need of an AT evaluation.
What are the PD modules?
Our PD sessions are a Professional Development series that we offer. They act as training in specific areas of assistive technology. Currently we offer 9 sessions online.
Our professional development modules are an online training series. There are 10 modules that cover a broad curricular overview on accessibility and assistive technologies. Our module names are: Introduction to AT & UDL, AT for Literacy, AT for Behavior, AT for Math and Science, Picture Supports for Academics, Behavior, and Communication, Making Adapted Books, Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), Alternate Access, Accessibility in Learning Platforms, and AT Assessments and Evaluation.
How do I register for sessions?
All courses requiring IHAT are automatically enrolled in IHAT Blackboard/Canvas via Banner. If you are not in our Blackboard site, you can email the IHAT Center at atcenter@ecu.edu to request registration – please include your course name, number and section in your email. We will enroll you as soon as soon as possible.
Irene Smith Howell
Irene Smith Howell was born on a farm in rural eastern North Carolina in 1928. She married Gordon Reece Howell in 1943 and they have five children.
Mrs. Howell’s compassion for children led her to open a day care business in 1954 in Kinston. In 1968 she operated the first integrated day care center in the area. Her work expanded to caring for children with disabilities following the birth of her grandson, Sean, who was born blind and with intellectual disabilities. This experience served as the inspiration to establish a residential care facility for those with severe disabilities. She established the Howell Child Care Center in LaGrange in 1970 and opened the first private residential facility in North Carolina to receive ICF/MR funds.
This first center expanded into 26 intermediate care and group homes for individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout North Carolina. Mrs. Howell and her husband, Reece, oversaw the operation of all 26 centers until they sold the corporation in 2004. Her corporate philosophy is, “Love, Care, and Education” and the centers are recognized nationally as an outstanding service model with a warm family touch. Mrs. Howell remains connected to RHA Howell Centers and visits the center in LaGrange weekly.
Mrs. Howell has received many accolades for her ground-breaking work in the care of persons with disabilities. Most notable of these is the Order of the Long Leaf Pine presented by Governor James Martin in 1989 and the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association on Mental Retardation in 1993. East Carolina University presented Mrs. Howell with an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2004; and in 2006 North Carolina Wesleyan College gave her an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
In 2004, Mrs. Howell made a $1,000,000.00 gift to the College of Education to support the Irene Howell Assistive Technology Center. The purpose of the center is to better prepare special education teachers and professionals from a wide range of fields in the use of assistive technology with individuals who have disabilities. It will also support outreach efforts into communities to provide training and support for the use of assistive technologies in homes, schools, and residential programs.
The College of Education at East Carolina University thanks Mrs. Howell for her generous gift to establish the Irene Howell Assistive Technology Center. As stated during the conferring of the Honorary Doctor of Letters degree at ECU:
East Carolina University honors you for your distinguished career as the founder of Howell Centers, Inc. and as a public servant.
You are recognized as an outstanding North Carolinian with a tale of vision, perseverance, risk-taking and hard work resulting in twenty-six intermediate care facilities and group homes for citizens of North Carolina with intellectual disabilities thereby deepening the meaning and significance of public service.
East Carolina University thanks you and embraces you for being the extraordinary citizen that you are, for your dedicated and effective commitment to the people of North Carolina and for your eloquent deepening of the meaning and significance of public service.
For all these personal qualities and accomplishments, East Carolina University is honored and proud to confer upon you the Honorary Doctor of Letters degree at this celebration in your honor of the eighth day of May, 2004.
David A. Powers
The DAP Lending Library was established by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in honor of Dr. David A. Powers upon his retirement as Department Chair in 2007. A graduate of East Carolina University, Dr. Powers served the field of Special Education throughout his career, serving as a teacher, special education director, and professor. In addition, he served the College of Education in a variety of leadership roles through times of great growth and change. Now a Professor Emeritus and Special Assistant to the Provost, Dr. Powers continues to serve the university.
Under Dr. Powers’ leadership, the Assistive Technology Laboratory (ATL) was established in 1991. Together with Dr. Melissa Engleman, he began the ATL as a means of providing training in specialized technology for individuals with disabilities to pre-service and in-service teachers in the undergraduate and graduate special education program area. Under the next Director, Dr. Tara Jeffs the ATL grew to become the Irene Howell Assistive Technology (IHAT) Center, and began providing training through professional development to students both across and outside of the College of Education. In addition to training, students and community partners are able to check out AT products as the DAP Lending Library houses a variety of assistive technology products and devices which are available for short term loans to students for school projects and practicum experiences, to faculty, students and collaborative partners for research purposes, to teachers, school districts, and community partners for trial in AT Evaluations, and to families for trial and exploration.
The DAP Lending Library was established as an enduring testament to Dr. Powers’s foresight and dedication to the area of special education technology.
IHAT Staff
Dr. Laura H. KingDirector
Leah CarrStudent Staff Manager
B.S. Elementary Education, ‘25
Sarah Beth WhiteStudent Lab Assistant
B.S. Special Education, Adapted Curriculum, ‘25
Taylor CarleStudent Lab Assistant
B.S. Middle Grades Education, ‘27
Malena ChapmanStudent Lab Assistant
B.S. Elementary Education, ‘27