SHIFT is an online education and accreditation platform that is advancing and standardizing Technology First best practices and programming.

What exactly is a Technology First approach?     

A Technology First approach to services isn’t about acquiring the latest and greatest gadgets - it’s about the idea that technology should always be considered as an option for providing support.

SHIFT encourages long-term support service professionals to identify ways that technology can, and should, support people to pursue their life goals.

SHIFT’s accreditation and education are supporting state agencies, provider organizations, and others as they make the “shift” to Technology First. This approach to services is dependent on a person-centered approach being firmly established among supporters and within an organization's or agency’s culture.

  • ACCREDIT

    SHIFT consults with organizations to develop systems and standards for the successful adoption and implementation of technology supports.

  • EDUCATE

    SHIFT virtual education teaches enabling technology skills and best practices to professionals in the long-term support services field.

  • TRANSFORM

    SHIFT advocates for the adoption and implementation of technology so that people have the opportunity to live the lives they want to live.

SHIFT IMPACT

Based on SHIFT’s post-course survey, 96% of learners enhanced their knowledge of integrating enabling technology into home, work and community environments to empower independence, and 98% increased their willingness to use enabling technology as a natural support for someone with intellectual/developmental disabilities. SHIFT has enrolled over 5,000 learners from more than 300 different organizations and agencies across the U.S. and Canada.