- In line with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education guidelines (NCATE, 1997) knowledge is used to refer to a special education candidate’s understanding of the empirical research, disciplined inquiry, informed theory, and wisdom of practice as they relate to Assistive Technology (AT).  Skills, is used to describe a special education candidate’s ability to use AT content, professional, and pedagogical knowledge effectively and readily in multiple settings. Dispositions, refers to a special education candidate’s values, commitment, and professional ethics that influence AT-related behaviors in applied settings with students, families, and colleagues. The term, AT competencies is used in this article interchangeably with AT knowledge, skills, and dispositions.