Over 200 Presentation and Hands-On Lab Hours
Wednesday through Friday, October 9-11, 2013
Over 200 presentation and hands-on lab hours that describe and/or demonstrate successful applications of assistive technology for persons with disabilities will be held during the three days of the conference.
See list of conference presenters.
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assessment
10/11/2013
8am-9am
AAC Apps Evaluation Tools: Making the Best Choice for the Best AAC Voice
Date:
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
from
8:00 am -
9:00 am
Location: Plaza 5
Category: assessment
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
Choosing an appropriate augmentative/alternative communication app (AAC) is based on the experience, knowledge, training and resources available to aid in the decision-making process. Session participants will leave with a model of an assessment process, material ideas and activities they can use to evaluate both the communication functions and the features required for the most appropriate AAC app. It will include a variety of apps/resources that are both readily available, or they can create their own, using the tools and suggestions provided. In any case, the communicator will then have evaluators making the best choice for their best AAC voice.
Presenters:
Debby McBride
10/10/2013
2pm-3pm
Access is Everything! Switch Access for AAC
Date:
Thu, Oct 10, 2013
from
2:00 pm -
3:00 pm
Location: Atrium 7
Category: assessment
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
Many people with disabilities use switches to control various items of assistive technology. The overall performance of assistive technology is determined by many factors, including how well the user can activate the switch. Access remains the biggest problem for many individuals with disabilities. This presentation will describe the evaluation process for switch access and demonstrate product features that enhance the use of switches for access and scanning.
Presenters:
Lori Dahlquist
10/10/2013
12:30pm-1:30pm
Alternate Assessment and Classroom Suite 4
Date:
Thu, Oct 10, 2013
from
12:30 pm -
1:30 pm
Location: Atrium 7
Category: assessment
Format: company-affiliated demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
Assessment drives instruction, but where do you begin? Alternate Assessments are customized activities that reveal what students with significant learning challenges can do, emphasizing their strengths instead of their weaknesses. This is an ongoing process that helps direct instruction and skill building. Let's explore how Classroom Suite 4 is being utilized around the country as a tool for assessment. This can take place on a daily basis, as well as an annual review process. Access and consistency of presentation eliminate the challenge of learning how to assess. The only thing that changes is the content.
Presenters:
Suzanne Feit
10/09/2013
12:30pm-1:30pm
Assistive Technology: It Isn't One Size Fits All
Date:
Wed, Oct 09, 2013
from
12:30 pm -
1:30 pm
Location: Atrium 7
Category: assessment
Format: lecture
Subject Level:
Intermediate
Computer Level:
Intermediate
Description:
This presentation is geared towards clinicians who work with people with multiple physical disabilities and significant access issues. It will look at how we currently match assistive technology to our clients and what factors influence those decisions. We will look at the areas of performance, growth, appeal and access, with a focus on access and the importance of it in the decision-making process. Attendees will leave the session with a better understanding of how various factors often drive the decision-making process. They will also have a set of strategies to help feature-match appropriate access methods to their clients.
Presenters:
Kristin McKeown
Dawn Rainey
10/09/2013
9:30am-12pm
Facing the Challenges of Access with Students Who've Had Less Than Successful Experiences (Two Block Session)
Date:
Wed, Oct 09, 2013
from
9:30 am -
12:00 pm
Location: Plaza 2
Category: assessment
Format: lecture
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
Access is truly a part of an activity, not an act that must be solved first to proceed. Control of access, and its mastery, come with activity engagement. Activity engagement occurs when individual interests and learning specific information are married. This course will focus on students who present real challenges those students who are non-speaking, non-ambulatory, who have difficulty demonstrating postural control and who appear to exhibit inconsistent behaviors of intention. However, it will also focus on our preconceived, inadequate assessment techniques, and it will support our need to refocus on activity itself, its task analysis and our learning environments.
Presenters:
Karen Kangas
10/10/2013
9:30am-10:30am
How Special is Special Education!
Date:
Thu, Oct 10, 2013
from
9:30 am -
10:30 am
Location: Plaza 3
Category: assessment
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
Beginner
Computer Level:
Beginner
Description:
This presentation will trace the history of categorical placement of students into special education settings and the changes that have taken place over time in classification terminology and frequency of placement. There have been numerous laws and policies that have been created to regulate special education services. Despite all of the efforts to limit or improve special education service delivery, the number of students receiving special education services, the percentage of the school population and the graduation rates of classified students has not changed significantly. Why? Participants should have a clearer appreciation and data knowledge of what has transpired in special education programs and guidance on moving forward to improve school district special education programs.
Presenters:
Thomas Rosati
10/11/2013
11am-12pm
Mounting Solutions: An Essential Ingredient for Communication and Access Success
Date:
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
from
11:00 am -
12:00 pm
Location: Plaza 2
Category: assessment
Format: company-affiliated demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
REHAdapt Engineering has developed a revolutionary new service, the Visual Mounting Solution (VMS), to assist in providing the appropriate mounting solution for an individual's unique characteristics. The VMS provides caregivers with a simple procedure (six easy steps) in order to achieve a successful solution. Successful communication and access are a combination of device and/or switch selection, language system selection and mounting solution. All three, when paired together, are essential ingredients providing success for the user. In many instances, the mounting solution has been underutilized, partially because there are so many permutations that one has to consider in selecting the appropriate mount.
Presenters:
Rob McPherson
10/11/2013
9:30am-10:30am
Sorting Through Carrying Cases for iPads and Other Tablets
Date:
Fri, Oct 11, 2013
from
9:30 am -
10:30 am
Location: Plaza 1
Category: assessment
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
All
Computer Level:
N/A
Description:
For iPad users and their clinicians, teachers, parents and AT providers, protecting the iPad while being carried out-and-about the community, school and home settings is primary concern. During this session, we will demonstrate the features of iPad carrying cases, especially as they relate to the needs of users of apps for AAC systems. We will demonstrate a wide variety of cases and their features of shock-resistance, carrying handles, mounting positions and access to the camera. Options, such as built-in speakers and Bluetooth keyboards, are additional features that some want on their case. Favorite color and design skins allow personality and customization to the iGeneration. Come join us and learn from our experiences with many cases. And we encourage you to share you own experience as well.
Presenters:
Kelly Fonner
Scott Marfilius
Erin Sheldon
10/09/2013
9:30am-10:30am
The New Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Assessments: What You Need to Know
Date:
Wed, Oct 09, 2013
from
9:30 am -
10:30 am
Location: Bloomington
Category: assessment
Format: demonstration
Subject Level:
Beginner
Computer Level:
Beginner
Description:
Educational reform efforts continue to emphasize the importance of standardized assessment as an accountability measure of student learning. However, the accessibility of standardized assessments continues to be a significant problem that impacts students with disabilities. The purpose of this session is to provide participants with an overview of the latest test development work by PARCC, Smarter Balance and Dynamic Learning Maps in preparation for national assessments that will begin in 2014-2015.
Presenters:
Dave Edyburn
What participants have said
The Closing The Gap Conference was beyond exceptional as many of the sessions that I attended answered the Communication needs we are experiencing.
~Director of Communications
The time I've spent at CTG each year has been well worth it now that my son is finally finding a way to communicate his wants, needs and opinion.
~Parent
My attendance at the 2012 Closing The Gap Conference was not only an inspirational and motivating experience for myself, but will be a game changer for those students and staff members I serve.
~AT Consultant
