Pre-Conference Seminars Listing
Two-Day Pre-Conferences by Strand:
- Assistive Technology for Improved Function
- Education/Learning
- Everyday Technology
- Leadership
- Sensory Impairment
One-Day Pre-Conferences by Strand:
- Assistive Technology for Improved Function
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Education/Learning
Two-Day Pre-Conference Seminars
Tuesday, January 30 – Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 8 AM – 4 PM
Assistive Technology for Improved Function
Communication, Learning and Access: Severe Physical and Multiple Challenges
Are you working with children who face severe physical and multiple challenges in addition to complex communication needs, such as Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Rett Syndrome, and/or Multiple Disabilities? Do you find them struggling to juggle the challenges of motor coordination, sensory processing, communication, language, vision and cognition needed to effectively communicate what they are thinking? For many of these children, direct access using their hands to operate a communication device or access a computer is not an effective strategy. In addition, for some of these children, cortical visual impairment complicates this process even farther.
This workshop will introduce the concept of providing a receptive aided language learning environment, and demonstrate how learning alternative and augmentative forms of communication can and should parallel the developmental process that typical children go through in learning speech. We will also take a brief look at Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) Communication books developed by Gayle Porter, in Melbourne, Australia. (Please note: This is not an official Introductory PODD course, which would require two full days training on just that topic.)
We will look at the early steps and strategies needed to help children make motor/cognitive connections and to provide appropriate opportunities for moving beyond cause and effect to two switches -two functions and eventually to full scanning access. Strategies to develop the motor automaticity needed to use switches for communication, curriculum access and demonstrating knowledge will be shared.
A range of technologies from ‘light tech’ to ‘high tech’ will be demonstrated in this session. The “9 essentials” from Anat Baniel, and the “Stepping Stone Process for Switch Access” by Linda Burkhart will be used to illustrate effective strategies. Come and explore creative and practical strategies to overcome these complex barriers to access language and learning.
Topics covered will include:
- Rationale and purposes for adapting communication and learning materials
- How the brain learns –creating neural networks/cognitive schemas
- Characteristics and strategies for physical disabilities: Rett Syndrome, severe dyspraxia/apraxia, and CVI (cortical visual impairment)
- Scanning techniques: Partner-Assisted Scanning & Two Switches
- Motor learning
- Multi-Modal Strategies to teach literacy
Speaker:
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Linda Burkhart Independent Consultant Linda J. Burkhart |
Learn more about Communication, Learning and Access: Severe Physical and Multiple Challenges.
iPAD Boot Camp – Awesome New Apps, Adaptations, and Accessories
Each year, the iPad and iPhone keeps getting better with new hardware, new IOS updates, new apps, new adaptations, and new accessories to support individuals who experience vision, hearing, communication, intellectual, behavioral, and physical disabilities. With ongoing changes and increase number of apps each year, it is important to learn about feature mapping for app categories to help in the selection of the most appropriate apps based on functional goals and the specific functional limitations of the user.
Learn the latest in app, adaptation or devices created to overcome physical, sensory or cognitive limitation. Learn how to use the new built in features of the iPad such as amazing new switch access recipes using custom gestures to bypass the need to do switch scanning. Learn how to interact with the iPad without the need to touch the device through auditory mapping for executive function impairments. Learn ways to create removable tactile overlays in five minutes. Discover new and amazing features of the camera and built in photo apps. Explore new apps for organization; memory, communication, custom voice prompts; deaf and hard of hearing; learning disabilities; print disabilities; blind and low vision; text to speech; speech to text; text expander; word prediction; word completion; auto play back; audio file save and send features and so much more. Create a new hands free mounting solutions and a portable scan and read stations using OCR apps. Explore how the AirPods and Apple Pencil are becoming a game changer for physical disabilities. Discover new features and uses for the built in camera and photo app; text expander; text to speech verse speech to text; app feature mapping for executive function apps; and more. Hands-on exploration of new accessories such as AirPods, Pencil, switch interfaces and adding a monocular.
*This is a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) session. Please bring an iPad.
Speaker:
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Therese Willkomm Director of ATinNH University of New Hampshire |
Learn more about iPad Boot Camp – Awesome New Apps, Adaptations and Accessories.
Education/Learning
An Eye on Visuals: Supporting Behavior, Learning, Communication and Organization
Visual supports can be used to meet the behavioral, social emotional, learning and communication needs of students with disabilities, including autism, executive functioning disorders, learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities. In this hands on, make and take 2-day pre-conference session we will examine evidence based visual support strategies and how they can be implemented in any classroom or home setting. Participants can build, create, print and laminate customized visual supports for use in their own settings. The use of first/then boards, visual schedules, token economies, social stories, graphic organizers, and more will be demonstrated and modeled and participants will learn where to find readymade visual supports as well as tools that can be used to generate customized visual supports. The use of both high tech and low tech visual supports will be explored including printed out materials, hands on kinesthetic materials, and systems available on mobile technology such as smart phones and tablets. Participants will learn specific strategies for integrating these into classroom routines as a part of a positive behavior intervention system and as a part of an individual behavior intervention plan. Strategies for carryover to the home environment will also be discussed.
The use of low-tech systems and apps will be explored to promote self-monitoring of emotions, stress and resulting behaviors. The use of photos, graphic symbols and text will be examined as a tool for aiding auditory comprehension and for supporting literacy development. Using visual supports for improving organizational skills and for task completion will also be examined, including the use of calendars, reminders, timers, to do list tools, and schedules. A range of tools and applications will be explored such as Lesson Pix, Popplet, Mindmeister, Google Keep, Boardmaker Online, StoryBoard That, ChoiceWorks, Social Story Creator, and First Then Visual Schedule. Participants will have the opportunity to create a variety of visual supports for use in their own classrooms over the course of this 2-day pre-conference learning experience.
*There is a $15 materials fee associated with this program. Fee covers the make-and-take activities and should be paid to the speaker(s) directly during the seminar.
Speaker:
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Beth Poss Educational Consultant Montgomery County Public Schools |
Learn more about An Eye on Visuals: Supporting Behavior, Learning, Communication and Organization.
Innovative Technologies for Learners with Reading and Other Learning Differences
Many students with high-incidence learning differences are often overlooked when IEP teams consider assistive technology needs. Additionally, many IEP teams struggle with how best to consider, plan and implement appropriate assistive technologies with their students with learning variabilities. This collaborative, fast-paced and highly interactive pre-conference will focus on providing a neuroscience foundation, based upon the work of Judy Willis, MD (neurologist and classroom teacher) and exploring technologies to support learners with reading, writing, executive function, and math challenges.
With the focus on reading and writing during Day 1, participants will understand the educational rationale for using assistive tools that support students with alternative ways to access curriculum and innovative methods that help students demonstrate learning while accommodating for areas of variability. Numerous innovative technologies will be modeled so that participants will experience a variety of tools as learners. Universal Design for Learning principles will be modeled and embedded in the instructional methods used throughout the workshop.
Day 2 will focus on technologies related to math, executive functioning, and alternative and innovative ways to demonstrate learning. Participants will review case studies to guide consideration and implementation of appropriate AT recommendations and strategies. As a culmination of this day of learning, participants will develop a collaborative online resource that will serve as a Technology for Reading and Other Learning Differences Toolkit.
*If you participated in Karen and Sharon’s ATIA 2017 workshop, we encourage you to attend the 1-day, Wednesday session, which will offer new content and opportunities to network. For more information, please contact the presenters or education@atia.org.
Speakers:
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| Karen Janowski, MS Ed Assistive & Educational Technology Consultant EdTech Solutions |
Sharon Plante LD Technologist Eagle Hill Southport |
Learn more about Innovative Technologies for Learners with Reading and Other Learning Differences.
Everyday Technology
Google Bootcamp 2.0
Google Chrome and Chromebooks continue to drive technology integration in education. More and more schools are moving to the Google cloud based learning experience. With this paradigm shift, more classroom activities are being completed using technology. What does this shift mean for struggling students and Assistive Technology? How do educators ensure they are maximizing the use of this technology to support the instruction, not drive the instruction.
Let’s dig deep into all the Googley goodness we can squeeze into two days. Not only will we explore Chromebooks, G Suite for Education and Chrome apps and extensions but we will also look at other Google tools we can use to meet the needs of all learners. For example, augmented / virtual reality with Google Cardboard and Daydream. We will learn in a UDL environment and experience Google supports that provide multiple means of engagement, representation and action/expression.
Participants will dive deep into the G Suite of Education – all those Google apps that make up the productivity suite of tools (Doc, Slides, Sheets, Keep, Classroom, Sites). The Chrome operating system (OS) will also be analyzed for customizations we can employ to meet the needs of our learners, whether through built in accessibility features or adjusting features within the apps. Participants will also experience an array of Google Chrome apps and extensions that could be used as Assistive Technology supports to benefit ALL learners. By leveraging the power of this common browser, we can make significant customization to meet the needs of struggling students. Areas covered will include reading, writing, brainstorming, and organization.
Through hands on learning experiences, which will promote a Universal Design for Learning environment, participants will develop strategies to integrate these powerful tools into the curriculum to promote a Universal Design for Learning classroom by engaging various learning styles through multiple means of engagement, representation, action and expression.
*This is a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) session. Please bring a Chrome enabled device (Chromebook, PC or Mac) to experience the power of these tools.
Speaker:
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Mike Marotta AT Specialist Inclusive Technology Solutions LLC |
Learn more about Google Bootcamp 2.0.
Leadership
The Changing Role of AT Teams
During this 2-day workshop, we will challenge you to envision AT services in the context of Universal Design, and to move forward to develop your vision of ways to meet the changing role of AT teams. Interactive activities on Day 1 will offer an opportunity for you to analyze your current service model, focus on improving service delivery, use more online tools to increase efficiency and data collection, build agency-wide capacity, and plan effective outreach. You will identify areas of need, rethink the vision for your AT services, and be given time to design a multi-faceted 3-year plan. AT specialists are encouraged to attend in teams, develop team objectives, and discover practical ways to ensure the viability of your team.
On Day 2, participants will have time to hone their AT service delivery redesign and have opportunities to work with alumni AT service providers to gain input on your 3-year plan. We’ll begin Day 2 with an alumni panel that will address “new ways of doing new things” and the payoff associated with carrying out re-visioned 3-year plans. Thereafter, there will be mini-sessions on new trends in AT. The afternoon work session will use a Design Lab approach allowing you to collaborate with and mentor teams from across the globe in small groups. There will be a “Smackdown” on resources to enhance AT Teams. We will round out the day with a discussion on the evolution of change and what has been learned from the journey of AT Teams on the road to building capacity.
*If you have participated in previous workshops about the changing role of AT Teams offered by Denise and Gayl, we encourage you the attend the 1-day, Wednesday session entitled “Taking Action to Update Your AT Team,” which will offer new content and opportunities to network. For more information, please contact the presenters or education@atia.org.
Speakers:
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| Gayl Bowser, M.S.Ed. Independent Consultant Assistive Technology Collaborations |
Denise DeCoste, Ed.D. Assistive Technology Specialist/Consultant Accessible Technology Consulting |
Learn more about The Changing Role of AT Teams.
AT Bootcamp: Foundations Through Implementation
This 2-day pre-conference workshop experience is designed for people new to the field of Assistive Technology or first time conference attendees. Day 1 will provide a fundamental overview of assistive technology (AT) service delivery processes that includes AT consideration, assessment, implementation, and application as well as a structure to further your personal learning experience. Through an array of topics, the participants will obtain a snapshot of AT supports related to empowering access for people of all disabilities, ages and environments. In addition, participants will develop an understanding of how to leverage access to both common and specialized technologies to realize a world where barriers are minimized and access/engagement is emphasized.
Day 2 extends participants’ experiences by strengthening their knowledge and experience working with AT devices, and providing AT services. This session continues participants’ explorations of AT devices including communication, literacy, positioning/mobility, cognition, social integration. Furthermore, the session moves from the overview of AT services delivery processes from Day 1 to a deeper exploration of moving toward effective AT implementation using real-world examples. Both days are designed to allow choices for how participants would like to engage in their learning.as well as strategies to increase their own personal learning networks.
Participants are also encouraged to attend the edcampAccess International unconference on Friday night – where the instructors will lead a session focused on the application of all the information that participants experienced throughout the conference week.
Speakers:
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| Kelly Fonner Education/Assistive Technology Consultant Kelly Fonner Consulting |
Mike Cole Owner Use Your Words, PC |
Brian Wojcik Assistant Professor University of Nebraska at Kearney |
Learn more about AT Bootcamp: Foundations Through Implementation.
Sensory Impairment
Alternative Technology for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
This is a 2-day hands-on training for educators of adults or youths who are blind or have low vision. The training is designed for experienced computer users who have little or limited knowledge of alternative access software. The session will cover the basics of the NVDA screen reader, the basics of the MagWin screen magnifier, and the basics of the iOS screen reader and magnifier for iDevices.
Day 1 will be devoted to learning the accessibility features of iOS including the screen reader, VoiceOver, and the screen magnifiers, Zoom. Participants will practice the gestures for adjusting settings, navigating on iDevices and basic operation of apps. Additional information about the use of refreshable braille displays will also be covered. The instructor, Larry Lewis, a daily user of iOS devices will provide additional tips and tricks to improve and enhance the user’s efficiency with iOS devices.
On Day 2, participants will learn how to use keyboard commands to adjust settings in the latest versions of NVDA and MagWin. Participants will receive instruction and practice using the keyboard commands required to navigate and edit simple MS Word documents along with additional practice in navigating accessible websites using Internet Explorer. These software packages have been chosen to acquaint service providers with low-cost alternatives for screen magnification and screen reading.
*This is a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) session. Please bring a Windows laptop computer (a Mac running a Windows emulator will not work), an iPad 2 or higher tablet, and an external keyboard for the Windows laptop computer. Demo download links and instructions will be provided via email to registered attendees prior to the conference.
Speakers:
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| Ike Presley National Project Manager American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) |
Larry Lewis President and Founder Flying-Blind LLC |
Alyson Gullette Adjunct Professor Salus University |
Learn more about Alternative Technology for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.
One-Day Pre-Conference Seminars
Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 8 AM – 4 PM
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Literacy for All: Instruction for Learners with Complex Communication Needs
This Pre-Conference workshop will present evidence-based instruction (Light & McNaughton, 2009; Caron, 2016) to support the literacy development of children and adults with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Teaching literacy skills is one of the most empowering things that we can do for individuals with CCN. Literacy is fundamental to communication and participation in educational, community, and vocational settings. This workshop will provide professionals and family members with effective evidence-based literacy intervention strategies and adaptations in order to support individuals with CCN in participation in literacy instruction, as well as maximize outcomes. The session will also address recent technical developments in AAC technology that can be used to support the development of literacy skills.
In summary, the workshop will: (a) describe the components of effective evidence-based intervention in key early literacy skills (e.g., letter sound correspondence, decoding, encoding), including both direct instruction, as well as ways in which literacy intervention can be embedded in communication throughout the day; (b) demonstrate, through videotaped case examples, components of evidence-based literacy intervention; and (c) support application of intervention components to session participant’s current cases through role-play, brainstorming, and discussion so that participants will have a complete understanding of evidence-based practices to support literacy with their students. We will also share web-based literacy training materials so that participants will be able to access ongoing instructional supports in the use of the literacy intervention materials, as well as easily share the instructional strategies with colleagues and family members.
Participants will first observe the use and impact of these evidence-based practices in video-case studies with learners at a variety of ages, and with a variety of disabilities. Workshop participants will then practice, with feedback from the presenters, the use of these evidence-based practices. Finally, workshop participants will analyze the strengths and learning needs of a current student, and develop an intervention plan to support the acquisition of literacy skills for that student.
USSAAC, the US Society for AAC, is pleased to co-sponsor this pre-conference seminar. USSAAC members receive 5% off registration for this seminar.
Speakers:
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| Jessica Caron, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Penn State University |
David McNaughton, Ph.D. Professor, Educational and School Psychology and Special Education Penn State University |
Christine Holyfield, Ph.D, CCC-SLP Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resources, and Communication Disorders University of Arkansas |
Salena Babb Doctoral Candidate in Special Education Penn State University |
Assistive Technology for Improved Function
Breaking Out the AT Toolkit: A Hands-on Experience
Do you work with a diverse population and need help connecting the dots? We will help you draw an AT picture for your school district. This session will show you how one of the most diverse districts in the country enables students in special education to access their curriculum. New York City serves 1.1 million students and 1,800 schools. The NYC Department of Education Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) has streamlined a toolkit that works with all of the various platforms in our schools.
We will explore several new case studies in form of videos, samples of curriculum tasks and actual work with students utilizing their AT. Attendees will learn implementation strategies to be used in the classroom. Presenters will discuss case studies of students evaluated by the NYCDOE CAT. We will show our recent pilot video conferencing implementation support initiative. Based on collaborative efforts between CAT and the IEP team, these students acquired the ability to access their curriculum alongside their peers and became active participants in their classrooms. The students used various AT devices across platforms, such as computer operating system (OS/Win), mobile operating system (iOS), and web browser (Chrome). Attendees will be given an opportunity to explore how to use AT with these platforms to help struggling students participate in a specific academic area (e.g., reading, writing, math, and communication). This will be a hands-on session with technology made available to the participants.
The CAT team provides assistive technology AT evaluations, trainings and implementation support to NYC students from age 3-21 in preschool, public, charter, and private schools.
*This is a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) session. Attendees are recommended to bring the following: iPad, laptop computer and/or Chromebook. The speakers will bring several devices preloaded with the toolkit that will be discussed from each platform which may include: Read and Write for Google, Co:Writer universal, Snap and Read Universal, Capti Narrator, WordQ, Clicker Apps, Dictation, ModMath, CPen, Prizmo, Claro Apps, Proloquo2go, Touchchat, LAMP, Speak for Yourself, Total Talk, GoTalk NOW PLUS, and an eye gaze device, Tobii-Dynavox I series with Compass/Communicator/Indi software.
Speakers:
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| Lindsey Huntley Speech Supervisor Center for Assistive Technology NYC Department of Education Center for Assistive Technology |
Maricris Formoso-Santos AT Supervisor NYC Department of Education Center for Assistive Technology |
Rachael Sears, SLP Director of Assistive Technology and Speech and Language NYC Department of Education Center for Assistive Technology |
Learn more Breaking Out the AT Toolkit: A Hands-on Experience.
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Assistive Technology Access and Assessment
Assistive technology can be used to improve quality of life, health, and well-being for individuals with and without disabilities. For consumers and those working in the assistive technology field, it is necessary to know what is available and critically assess what would work best, considering the individual’s unique abilities and needs to help improve functional performance and participation. Participants of this 1-day seminar will gain an overview of various no, low, and high tech assistive technology available, with an emphasis on access and assessment throughout the lifespan. Key considerations for determining and improving skills for motor access will be provided. A hierarchy for determining appropriate switch access will be applied, along with different types of switches to address motor impairments. Additionally, participants will discuss and demonstrate alternate means for accessing computers, tablets, and other devices.
A thorough understanding of the user’s motor, sensory, communication, and cognitive abilities, as well as efforts taken to minimize the learning demands, are essential for promoting improved functional outcomes using assistive technology. With knowledge of occupations, client factors, technology, lifestyle, funding, value, and contextual considerations, those working in the area of assistive technology serve a critical role in helping individuals benefit from assistive technology. A comprehensive framework will be shared for key considerations and strategies related to holistic assessment and intervention approaches for assistive technology across the lifespan. Case studies will be used to illustrate challenges and successes based on clinical practice. Interactive instruction, multi-media handouts and resources, and group case-based learning opportunities will be used throughout this workshop.
Speaker:
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Douglene Jackson, PhD, OTR/L, LMT, ATP Occupational Therapist University of Miami-Mailman Center for Child Development |
Education/Learning
Autism: Engagement and Creative Communication!
‘Why is life so hard?’ This question was flung rhetorically by a young autistic man, frustrated once more by his inability to understand the complexities of an unexpected change in the school day. We know that barriers to communication are a key issue when working with the range of those students on the autistic spectrum, from those working at a sensory level; those who use AAC to communicate; those who need minimal technological intervention to those who speak fluently yet struggle with flexibility, intuition, inference and reciprocity.
This pre-conference seminar will work through a wide range of activities and examples, all based on practical work to consider a range of potential opportunities and strategies that might be deployed effectively in your own practice. The session will be active and will consider a range and variety of communication methodologies, from low to high tech, that we can use to connect and engage our students in learning activities. We will explore practical strategies utilising physicality for engagement and readiness for sensory exploration, mark making, handwriting and learning. We will examine the impact and potential of mobile technology on choice making for this group of learners and create apps to take away and use with our students. Finally, we will investigate the role of social media both as a communication channel and gateway to professional collaboration.
Come along, join in, share, have fun and leave with a buzz to take back to your workplace.
Speaker:
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Carol Allen School Improvement Adviser (ICT and SEN) North Tyneside City Learning Centre |
Learn more about Autism: Engagement and Creative Communication!