Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments (CATIS)

Code of Ethics

PREAMBLE

The preservation of the highest standards of integrity is vital to the successful discharge of the professional responsibilities of a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS). This Code of Ethics has been established to safeguard the education and rehabilitation of people who are blind or visually impaired. This Code of Ethics ensures that the training and education that individuals receive in the area of assistive technology is of the highest quality to meet their goals and is designed to support the independence of the individual.

The Code of Ethics provides guidance for ethical practice but is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of every possible ethical or unethical behavior. The CATIS is responsible for developing and implementing a sound assessment and instructional program. When questions regarding ethical practices arise that require consultation, the CATIS is responsible for discussing the issue with other appropriate parties to resolve the matter. To assure the public of a CATIS' awareness of this obligation, the specialist commits to the Code of Ethics for Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists, henceforth referred to as "The Code".

• A CATIS shall be dedicated to providing competent assistive technology training with empathy and respect
• A CATIS shall deal honestly with consumers and colleagues and strive to expose those Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists deficient in character or competence or who engage in fraud or deception
• A CATIS shall respect the law and shall recognize a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements that are contrary to the best interests of the consumer
• A CATIS shall respect the rights of consumers, of colleagues, and of other professionals, and shall safeguard confidences within the constraints of the law
• A CATIS shall continue to study, apply and advance his or her knowledge of computers, operating systems, assistive technology and mainstream software. A CATIS shall make relevant information available to consumers and colleagues; obtain consultations; and refer to other rehabilitation and assistive technology professionals when required to provide the best possible service to the individual
• A CATIS shall, in the provision of appropriate training, except in emergencies, be free to choose with whom to associate and the environment in which to provide services; such venue shall be as mutually agreed by the CATIS and individual
• A CATIS shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to an improved professional community through service to the profession
• A CATIS shall practice in accordance with the body of knowledge related to assistive technology

STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR

1. A CATIS shall provide assessment, evaluation, and intervention in a collaborative rehabilitative or educational service; such service may include a clinical examination by a low vision eye care specialist, a low vision therapist, vision rehabilitation therapist, teacher of the visually impaired and/or an orientation and mobility specialist, as well as counseling and case management professionals.
2. A CATIS shall involve an interdisciplinary team when providing assessment, evaluation, and training for consumers who have multiple impairments.
3. A CATIS shall participate in the evaluation of hardware and software to determine the effectiveness and potential use by past, present, and/or future consumers.
4. If, in the course of providing services, a CATIS suspects that a consumer needs additional medical/clinical care, the CATIS will appropriately refer for care.
5. A CATIS shall use every resource available, including referral to other specialists including other assistive technology specialist as needed, to provide the best service possible.
6. A CATIS shall fully inform a person served, a parent, or guardian, of the nature, costs, and possible outcomes of the services.
7. A CATIS shall fully inform subjects participating in research or instructing activities of the nature and possible outcomes of these activities.
8. A CATIS shall provide appropriate maintenance and access to the records of a consumer served professionally as governed by law.
9. A CATIS shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid injuring a consumer in the delivery of professional services.
10. A CATIS shall evaluate services and products rendered to determine their effectiveness.
11. A CATIS may not exploit a consumer in the delivery of or payment for professional services. Exploitation of services includes accepting people for assessments or training or by continuing therapy when benefits to the consumer cannot reasonably be expected. It also includes failure to provide training to the consumer that would allow them to gain the maximum assistive technology independence commensurate with individual ability, goals and objectives.
12. A CATIS may not guarantee the results of training, directly or by implication. A reasonable statement of training goals and possible achievements may be made, but caution shall be exercised not to mislead a consumer served professionally to expect results that cannot be predicted.
13. A CATIS may not discriminate in the delivery of professional services on the basis of disability, race, sex, age, religion, sexual preference, health status, or any other basis that is unjustifiable or irrelevant to the need for and potential benefit from the services.
14. A CATIS shall continue professional development through his/her professional career.
15. A CATIS may not provide services or supervision that he/she is not qualified to perform nor permit services to be provided by a staff person under his/her supervision who is not qualified.
16. A CATIS will accurately represent his/her level of training, competence, and role in the interdisciplinary team.
17. A CATIS public statements providing information about professional services and products may not contain representations or claims that are false, deceptive, or misleading.
18. A CATIS may not use professional or commercial affiliations in a way that would mislead consumers or limit the services available to them.
19. Consumers shall be provided with freedom of choices as to the source of services and products. If a CATIS also sells the equipment s/he is recommending, the CATIS is required to inform the consumer of alternative venues for obtaining equipment at reasonable costs.
20. Fees established for professional services shall be independent of hardware or software sales.
21. Price information about professional services rendered and hardware or software sold shall be disclosed by providing to or posting a complete schedule of fees and charges in advance of rendering services. This schedule shall differentiate between fees for professional services and charges for hardware or software sold. A CATIS must provide information about other commercial sources for hardware and software that are priced reasonably so that the consumers may make their own judgments about the source of purchases.
22. A CATIS may not participate in activities that constitute conflicts of professional interest.
23. A CATIS is required to report a violation of the Code of Ethics among colleagues.
24. A CATIS may not engage in a violation of the Code of Ethics or attempt in any way to circumvent it.
25. A CATIS may not engage in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or any other form of illegal conduct.
26. A CATIS shall not practice while unable to do so with reasonable skill and safety (e.g., under conditions of illness, drunkenness, non-prescriptive use of controlled substances, chemicals, or other types of materials).
27. A CATIS shall not withdraw professional services after a professional relationship has been established without informing the consumer of alternatives to obtain necessary and equivalent professional services in a timely manner.
28. Harassing, abusing, or intimidating a consumer is prohibited. In addition, sexual contact or requests for sexual contact with a consumer is prohibited.
29. Committing an act of dishonesty, corruption, or criminal behavior that directly or indirectly affects the health, welfare, or safety of current or past consumers is prohibited.