Empower Your Learners with A Personal Learning Backpack! Read the article from Special Ed Connection http://bit.ly/PLB2019 and join our webinars this Spring with Diana Petschauer from AT for Education & Kathleen McClaskey from Make Learning Personal. http://bit.ly/MLPWebinars with focus on Literacy, Executive Function and Transition.
Join us at the ATNow Conference in Salem, Oregon! 2/7-2/9! Expert Speakers, Awesome Keynotes, Vendors/ Exhibitors & an AT Maker Fair!
Join Diana Petschauer, M.Ed, ATP from ATforED for 3 Sessions:
Transition to College & the Workplace: AT, UDL & Advocacy- 2/7, 2:15 pm
AT & UDL to Support Early Literacy & Language Development- 2/8, 9:45 am
The Top 20 iOS Apps & Accessibility Features for Diverse Learners: iPad/iPhone Potential-2/8 1:30 pm
Full Session descriptions: http://bit.ly/ATnowATforED2019
Register and View Full Conference Agenda: https://www.smore.com/atkrg
See you there!
Looking for a Warm winter getaway and Professional Development? Join us at FETC in Orlando! 1/29 & 1/30/19:
Tuesday, January 29, 2019: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
$W179 | Apps & Extensions: Your Essential Toolkit to Support Diverse Learners
Room: SOUTH 330A Session Number: $W179
Google, iPad, Microsoft! Apps, AT, Tools & Resources, Built-In Accessibility, Hand-On! Literacy, Math, Executive Function, Dyslexia, Transition, support for vision & hearing, physical and cognitive access, UDL! http://bit.ly/FETC19Toolkit
C302 | Empower All Learners With a Personal Learning Backpack
Room: SOUTH 310D Session Number: C302
Wednesday, January 30, 2019: 2:00 PM – 2:40 PM
Create a Learner Profile and Personal Learning Backpack of tools and skills to support strengths & challenges. UDL: Access, Engage, Express! Personalized Learning; Learner Centered: http://bit.ly/FETC19PLB
FETC (Future of Education Technology Conference) is HUGE and encompasses so many learning opportunities from experts in Ed Tech, AT, STEM, Leadership, Admin, Teaching & Learning, Implementation, Integration and more! Register or Learn More: http://www.fetc.org/
Looking for fall professional development? Join us at 3 New England conferences this month! RI, NH & , Boston! AT, AAC, Literacy, Dyslexia,Transition, Blind/ Low vision, Google and iOS, UDL & Personalized Learning!
Manchester, NH- CMTC-Two Half Day Pre-Conference workshops on Monday 11/26 and a concurrent session on 11/27: PreC07-SC –Google Apps & Extensions: Your Essential Toolkit for Diverse Learners: http://www.nhcmtc.org/cms/program/preconference-at-a-glance
PreC20-SC- AT/ UDL Apps: Support Diverse Learners on ALL Devices Across the Curriculum: http://www.nhcmtc.org/cms/program/preconference-at-a-glance
BDTu01-F (BYOD-Bring Your Own Device) Empower Learners with UDL: Build a Personal Learning Backpack for Agency: http://www.nhcmtc.org/cms/program/byod-sessions-at-a-glance
Warwick, RI – ATCNE- One Full Day Workshop on 11/29 and 3 Concurrent on 11/30! Full Day workshop: Creating A Bridge to Learning For ALL: How to Engage and Include Diverse Learners on All Devices Across Curricula
Concurrent Sessions on Transition for college and the workplace, Blind and Low Vision supportive AT, Free & Low Cost AT: http://www.assistivetechnologyconference.com/presentations/
REGISTER for ATCNE: http://www.assistivetechnologyconference.com/general-registration/
Boston, MA – ASHA – 3 Seminars: 1751: Assistive Technology and Intervention CAN Play Nice! Bridging Literacy Gaps with Multisensory Intervention for Dyslexia (Seminar 2-hours): https://plan.core-apps.com/asha2018/event/c31ae06ebb40c49d93c9948f8be4b3a3
1990: Supporting the Language and Literacy Development of Individuals with Complex Communication Needs (Seminar 1-hour): https://plan.core-apps.com/asha2018/event/e50beb65b4a2bbc9cf1c7712aef02110
1227: But My School Doesn’t Have Money! (AKA: Free Assistive Technology to Support Student Learning) (Seminar 1-hour): https://plan.core-apps.com/asha2018/event/22c0614f714102b73be44d3f1769af8d
REGISTER for ASHA: https://convention.asha.org/registration-and-housing/
Join us for Monroe Learning Network’s 9th annual continuing education seminar! You’re invited to be inspired; learn alongside other clinicians in the assistive technology (AT) world; and ultimately empower your clients at Bridging the Gap: An Interprofessional Approach to Assistive Technology. This is an opportunity to deepen your assistive technology knowledge in the Mobility or Speech field (AAC) and strengthen your implementation strategies to transform your classroom, clinic, or practice. An exceptional line up of speakers, an inspirational keynote, your peers, and the latest manufacturers in the AT world! Whether you’re a Speech Language Pathologist, AAC Specialist, Physical/Occupational Therapist, Assistive Technology Professional, or Seating/ Mobility Specialist; members of each field need to work collaboratively to transform and enhance the lives of people with disabilities. Two different educational tracks: 1) Mobility & Seating and 2) Speech & Language. Two Days/ Locations to Choose from! Rochester, NY on 10/24/18 & Syracuse, NY on 10/25/18.
Join Kelsey Hall and Diana Petschauer from ATforED for one of the Speech/AAC/Literacy workshops, 3 hours hands-on!
AAC, Literacy & “ 5 to Thrive” Building Pillars of Support: Many students struggle with literacy (reading and writing), from lower-order skills such as phonemic awareness, decoding, and encoding to higher-order skills such as fluency, comprehension, and conversational discourse. In addition, students with complex communication needs using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are challenged with the task of not only learning to communicate with a new language system, but simultaneously learning and practicing their literacy skills. With ever-changing technology and advancements in communication and learning tools, this often leaves educators feeling as though they are under-prepared in terms of knowledge and skill regarding the most effective way to support students struggling with language and literacy. These challenges often beg the following questions: (1) How do educators and related specialists collaboratively build a bridge to support students’ language, literacy, and communication? (2) What role does technology play in supporting student learning and literacy acquisition? and (3) What high-quality, affordable technology tools are available to provide learning support across a variety of ages? This research-based, informative, and engaging session features hands-on demonstrations and activities for participants interested in building the bridge to literacy through technology. Participants will learn about apps (iPad and Google Chrome) and other assistive technologies (web resources, AAC devices) to support all learners from preschool through high school, including those who struggle with literacy and/or experience complex communication needs. AAC users Can and Should Learn to Read! Participants will engage in group activities and discussions specific to the technology presented, as well as opportunities to problem solve specific student needs and create example lessons and lesson plans, based on an explicit, systematic and multi-sensory approach to literacy instruction (Including the 5 Pillars-Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Comprehension & Written Expression). Learn about descriptive teaching and embedding the core into lessons throughout the day. Make and Take Literacy activities will provide participants with skills and resources to utilize immediately after the training. Join us and add an extensive amount of resources to your digital toolbox of literacy technology resources! Register for Rochester, NY on 10/24/18 or Register for Syracuse, NY on 10/25/18.
Join us for several workshop sessions this fall at ASHA 2018 Boston! Free AT, Literacy & Language Support, Multisensory Instruction and More! See all descriptions below:
1751: Assistive Technology and Intervention CAN Play Nice! Bridging Literacy Gaps with Multisensory Intervention for Dyslexia (Seminar 2-hours)
Assistive Technology (AT) bridges gaps for learners with dyslexia by supporting access to grade appropriate content. AT aids in reducing frustration and prevents learners from falling behind. If individuals do not have access to AT, their literacy development will suffer, negatively impacting higher order skills, such as comprehension, idea synthesis, and conversational discourse. AT and explicit intervention CAN play nice!
Learner Outcome(s):
- Recognize the nature of dyslexia and related language learning disabilities and the role of multisensory structured language instruction (MSL).
- Outline the critical components for proficient reading including language development, phonological awareness, decoding, fluency and comprehension and identify technologies to support these components.
- Access and explore potential applications of language based technology for direct instruction and/or accommodation for students with dyslexia and other language learning disabilities. #Dyslexia #Assistive Technology #Multisensory #Intervention #Literacy
- https://plan.core-apps.com/asha2018/event/c31ae06ebb40c49d93c9948f8be4b3a3
1990: Supporting the Language and Literacy Development of Individuals with Complex Communication Needs (Seminar 1-hour)
Students with complex communication needs and/or significant language-based learning disabilities are often underserved in reading instruction, yet require systematic, explicit, and multisensory instruction. Instead, instruction is primarily focused on shared reading and sight words. Join us for a hands-on and engaging session about using assistive technologies to supplement quality reading instruction with students who have complex needs.
Learner Outcome(s):
- Outline the critical components for proficient reading including language development, phonological awareness, decoding, fluency and comprehension.
- Access potential applications of language based technology for direct instruction and/or accommodation for students with complex communication needs.
- Recognize the unique language needs of individuals with complex communication needs and the role of multisensory structured language instruction (MSL) #AAC #Assistive Technology #Language #Literacy #Complex Communication Needs https://plan.core-apps.com/asha2018/event/e50beb65b4a2bbc9cf1c7712aef02110
1227: But My School Doesn’t Have Money! (AKA: Free Assistive Technology to Support Student Learning) (Seminar 1-hour)
The majority of students in the US live in poverty (NCES, 2015). School funding cuts make it challenging to meet the needs of students. Poverty should not dictate student access to assistive technology. This session will discuss and provide hands on practice of FREE AT tools to support student language, literacy, and learning growth despite a budget crunch.
Learner Outcome(s):
- Participants will be able to discuss the role of the SLP/SLA in AT assessment for language, literacy, and learning tools
- Participants will be able to describe at least 10 free AT tools for language, literacy, and learning
- Participants will be able to explain how feature matching assistive technology tools to student needs encourages the use of technology to level the playing field, while also acknowledging technology does not replace a skill.#Assistive Technology #Technology #Poverty #LowSocioeconomicStatus #Intervention https://plan.core-apps.com/asha2018/event/22c0614f714102b73be44d3f1769af8d
Join several consultants from ATforED at ATCNE in Rhode Island in November!
Our Full Day Hands-On Pre-Conference Session on Thursday 11/29: Creating A Bridge to Learning For ALL: How to Engage and Include Diverse Learners on All Devices Across Curricula (Google, iOS, Microsoft, Android) and
Several Concurrent sessions on Friday 11/30 including:
- Successful Transition to College- AT, Accommodations & Advocacy;
- iOS Apps, Innovative AT & Accessibility Features for Blind/ Low Vision users; &
- AT to Successful Transition to the Workplace.
Many other phenomenal AT and Ed Tech experts and workshops (Including Accessible STEM) as well as a great exhibit hall of vendors and technology! Read more information and register on the ATCNE website!
Building the Bridge to Learning-Assistive Technology & Apps to Engage & Include Diverse Learners on All Devices Across Curricula! 6/6, 8am-4pm, Bellport, NY. More info: http://bit.ly/ATpdNY 
Assistive Tech Camp for Legally Blind Youth! The Association of Blind Citizens (ABC) is sponsoring a weekend camp in Dover, NH for legally blind youth between the ages of 12-16. ABC is a not for profit, all volunteer, organization that has been providing programs and services for the blind and visually impaired community for the past 18 years. This program is an outgrowth of our experience in operating camps for blind children. Participants will spend the weekend experiencing hands-on technology demonstrations and group activities! Bring your own iPhone and/or iPad. If you do not own one, devices will be available on loan with apps fully loaded. The Assistive Technology expert trainers, Diana Petschauer and Stephen Yerardi from AT for Education (ATforED.com) will engage the students with activities to teach:
*Built-In Accessibility features to access everything from your phone or tablet (text to speech, magnification, high contrast, display accommodations, speech to text)
*Access to Digital Books and Handouts for school
*Support for Literacy, Math and Executive Function
*Instant OCR and text to speech for documents on the go such as Menus, grocery items, signs, etc.
*Money, color and product identification
*Navigation support
*Accessible Games and Activities
*Voice Control devices (Siri versus Alexa versus Google)
*The latest innovative assistive technologies being developed and utilized currently!
For recreation, an indoor pool for swimming and adaptive games will be available. This will be a weekend of learning and fun activities and a chance to meet new friends. The program will take place the weekend of May 4-6, 2018. We will pick up attendees in Boston (Other arrangements available for NH students). If you are an administrator, counselor, teacher of the visually impaired or an orientation & mobility instructor, please inform your students’ parents or guardian about this opportunity.
If you are the parent of a blind child/student, please contact John Oliveira, President, Association of Blind Citizens at president@blindcitizens.org or call 781-961-1023, if your child is interested. Registration materials will be provided at that time. This opportunity is being offered at no charge to participants. Limited Space Available! The registration deadline is April 15, 2018. 
NH Family Support Conference 2018! 4/28, A student from NH presents with Diana from AT for Education-Successful Transition Using AT! Accommodations, Laws, Tech demos, Advocacy! http://fscnh.com/index.html Come Visit our Exhibitor Table for Hands-On support and AT Demos! (What a beautiful resort and views/ area to join us in the White Mountains of NH)!
