Preconference Workshops

Description:
Developing successful literacy and communication instruction for students with significant disabilities, including deaf-blindness, is a challenging feat. The Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC has worked with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop model demonstration classrooms that provide effective instruction for this population. This workshop will describe the emergent literacy activities being used and the methods of student progress monitoring. Case studies, classroom videos, assistive technology, and student writing samples will be shown, supported by small group activities. Participants will leave with plenty of ideas for Monday morning!

Presenters:
Gretchen Hanser, M.S., OTR, is the Director of Deaf-Blind Model Demonstration Classroom Project, Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Toy Dills Booth, M.Ed., NBCT, is a Special Educator, The North Shelby School, Shelby, NC; and Elaine Palmer is a Parent, Charlotte, NC.

Location: Bloomington Sheraton

Description:
This full-day workshop will provide information on assessing and teaching children with autism to read and write. A brief overview of the Four Block Model will be provided and participants will be lead through an overview of practical and functional literacy assessments that provide critical information to inform effective literacy instruction. This workshop will distinguish between three types of children with ASD and their unique reading needs. Students illustrated will include children with hyperlexia and limited comprehension, children who are nonverbal and reading, and children with severe auditory processing and language issues who are verbal. Extensive videos will be shown to illustrate key points, techniques, and the integration of literacy and AAC. The day will include a small make-it, take-it with an accompanying materials fee that includes a CD packed with assessment materials. The day guarantees that participants will leave with an abundance of new ideas and increased appreciation for the breadth of literacy instruction for students with ASD. There is a $20 materials fee in addition to the $270 cost of the workshop.

Presenters:
Susan Norwell, M.A. Special Education, is an Educational Specialist in private practice, Focused Learning Solutions, Buffalo Grove, IL.

Location: Edina Sheraton

Description:
If you find that the professionals you work with can be more challenging than the kids, this workshop is for you! We feel your pain and we're here to help. As veteran consultants ourselves, we are very familiar with the struggle of promoting change with individuals and site teams in the public school setting. We work directly with teams at over 100 schools and consult with many professionals about students with considerable needs and even extreme behaviors. This, of course, can result in sometimes challenging consultative situations. We have developed tools and techniques for consulting with teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and parents that have been largely successful and resulted in favorable evaluations from our "customers." Participants will have direct opportunities to practice the strategies we use to facilitate success, not only with implementing use of AT, but also with other necessary interventions. Networking, problem solving, and brainstorming will be an integral part of this workshop, so bring your good ideas to share. Ample resources on the topic area will be disseminated.

Presenters:
Keri Huddleston, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Consultant, Teru Langsdale, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a Special Education Consultant, and Moira Soulia, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Specialist, all, Washoe County School District, Reno, NV.

Location: Atrium 4 Sheraton

Description:
Students who face severe physical and multiple disabilities often struggle with trying to juggle the challenges of motor coordination, communication, language, cognition, and sensory processing needed to effectively access a communication device. This makes it difficult for them to communicate what they are thinking and to participate actively in the learning process. Teachers and therapists need to provide a coordinated set of supports and scaffolds to enable as much active engagement and interaction as possible, while working in parallel to develop the motor skills needed for switch access. This beginner to intermediate level workshop will take a look at the dynamic assessment/teaching process. Practical strategies discussed will include partner-assisted communication strategies; light tech and high tech language systems; co-creation of sequenced social conversations; how to provide strategic feedback; using the right type of prompts; reading subtle communicative intents; modeling; supporting and shaping communication and motor skills; and the Stepping Stones Process to Switch Access. The workshop will include case examples, videos, and hands-on activities.

Presenters:
Linda J. Burkhart, B.S., is a Special Educator/Augmentative Communication Specialist/Technology Integration Specialist in private practice, Eldersburg, MD; Dale Gardner Fox, M.S., is a Physical Therapist/Assistive Technology Consultant, Hampshire Educational Collaborative, CCATT, Northampton, MA; and Deanna K. Wagner, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Specialist, Southwest Human Development, Phoenix, AZ.

Location: Atrium 6 Sheraton

Description:
Are you ready to go to the next level as a Boardmaker user? This full-day, intensive workshop will provide you with the opportunity to increase your creation and implementation skills using Boardmaker Plus!. In the morning, you will leverage the skills you have using Boardmaker to become an intermediate Boardmaker Plus! user. The afternoon will focus on implementation strategies for using Boardmaker Plus! to adapt curriculum, address standards, provide assessment, and more. In addition, learn how the Boardmaker Software Family adheres to the standards of UDL and provides a single program that can contribute to successful instruction for all students. This day is a perfect combination of the "how" and the "what" ... "How do I use it and what am I going to do with it?" This workshop is ideal for participants with some experience using Boardmaker, but are new to Boardmaker Plus!. Note: Participants are encouraged to bring curriculum or standards that they teach and a USB removable storage device. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on PC computers — one computer for every three participants.)

Presenters:
Lisa Kehoe, M.S., is an Educational Specialist/Training Manager for Mayer-Johnson, LLC, Des Moines, IA.

Location: Plaza 1 Sheraton

Description:
This hands-on, intermediate level workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to analyze and try the most popular reading technologies to support students with print disabilities, including those with multiple impairments. Presenters will provide an in-depth demonstration of software features, followed by structured hands-on exercises to help participants experience the strengths and limitations of each program. Technology solutions will be discussed with a specific focus on developing a framework for matching them to the student, the task, and the classroom environment. Case studies will be used to demonstrate specific customization to address individual student needs. Vendor materials will be complimented with handouts listing the features of each technology. Products to be evaluated will include Kurzweil 1000 and 3000, OpenBook, WYNN, Texthelp's Read&Write, ClaroRead, Premier's Scan and Read Pro, as well as commercial programs such as OmniPage Pro. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on PC computers — one computer for every two participants.)

Presenters:
Laurie McArthur, B.S., OTR, is the Services Coordinator, Lizna Husnani, M.S., OTR, is an Adaptive Technology Authorizer, and Charles Silverman, M.Ed., is the SNOW Project Coordinator, all, Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto, Canada.

Location: Plaza 2 Sheraton

Description:
While working with adolescents and adults with severe/profound developmental disabilities, do you still hear nursery songs and see childish toys and books throughout the environment? Are you struggling with finding or making materials to meet the needs of these individuals? This workshop will address strategies and applications for fostering social, intellectual, communicative, and emotional development for adolescents and adults with significant cognitive disabilities. A Meaningful Age-appropriate Process (MAP) for service provision to adolescent and adult individuals will be shared. Points of interest to be addressed include vocational, home, and class environments; assessment methods; learning and leisure; AAC; and daily living. From “off-the-shelf” to “extreme makeover” to “do-it-yourself,” rationale and criteria for selecting age appropriate topics, activities, and materials will be discussed. Participants will learn how to select, modify, or make materials that are meaningful and that will be used. Attendees will make one of six different kits utilizing a thematic approach to communication programming for adolescents and young adults with complex communication. Participants will also receive a CD containing materials to make all six kits, as well as a guide to over 300 commercially available materials, software, and AT devices, with brief descriptions, possible applications, and vendor information. There is a $30 materials fee in addition to the $270 cost of the workshop.

Presenters:
Elizabeth (Libby) S. Rush, M.A., CCC-SLP, CPM, is an AAC Consultant in private practice, Durham, NC and Leslie Redding, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Specialist, North East ISD, San Antonio, TX.

Location: Plaza 5 Sheraton

Description:
This beginner level workshop will provide participants with the necessary foundation or knowledge base for being able to effectively program for students with autism spectrum disorder, including Asperger's Syndrome. Numerous practical evidence-based techniques and low tech strategies for addressing the learning needs of students with autism spectrum disorder, particularly related to social relations, receptive and expressive communication, and restricted patterns of behavior will be shared. Innovative ideas will also be given on how to create a successful learning environment for students with ASD in many school-based settings. A unique educational planning guide will be shared, designed to assist teams in identifying the source of challenging behaviors in relation to the features and characteristics of ASD. You will leave this workshop with dozens of practical, easy-to-make strategies that can be used immediately to meet the unique learning and behavioral needs of students with ASD, and most importantly, to increase their independent functioning.

Presenters:
Susan L. Stokes, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an Educational Autism Consultant and Trainer in private practice, Fond du Lac, WI.

Location: Plaza 4 Sheraton

Description:
One of the first areas addressed in special education was writing. How excited we were to provide our students with word processors and eventually spell checkers! But it is time to take another look and determine just how technologies can help us help students develop real and vital components of written literacy. Some of these tools students will use; others we will use to create specialized lessons to help them learn or develop skills. This demonstration, intermediate to advanced level workshop will feature an organized presentation and discussion of low to high tech tools and strategies for creating lessons that develop written discourse. We'll look at composing sentences, handwriting that is legible, brainstorming and organizing, elaborating, expanding vocabulary use, using word banks when writing, spelling and spell checkers, word prediction needs, mechanics, grammar basics, rubrics that work, and more. If technology can help teach the skill, we'll find a way to make it work for you and your students in creative ways.

Presenters:
Judith P. Sweeney, M.A. Special Education, is the President/Consultant, Onion Mountain Technology, Inc., Canton, CT.

Location: Plaza 3 Sheraton

Description:
This workshop is for teachers, parents, and therapists who have children with severe and multiple disabilities who want to learn how to create accessible books that support the development of literacy skills and curriculum supports. This is a beginning lab developed to make the participant feel "tech savvy” by the end! Emphasis throughout the workshop will be placed on the strong theoretical underpinnings for developing these materials. Easy-to-use templates will be presented for a variety of platforms and programs with step-by-step instructions. Learn how to create curriculum-based books, social stories, books to support AAC systems, scrap booking for older students, portable books and book shelves, and personalized stories. The emphasis is to pick and choose the framework that meets your “comfort zone” with technology. Participants will walk away with materials they have created and that others have created too! Bring your own photos for personalized stories or use our collection. Each participant will receive the CD, The Accessible Book Club: Templates for Easy-to-Create Electronic Books, a $20.00 value. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on both Macintosh and PC computers — one computer for every three participants.) There is a $20 materials fee in addition to the $270 cost of the workshop.

Presenters:
Pati King DeBaun, M.S., is a Speech Language Pathologist specializing in assistive technology, Creative Communicating, Park City, UT and Dan Herlihy is an Assistive Technology/Technology Resource Specialist, Connective Technology Solutions, Inc., Hoosick, NY.

Location: Plaza 6 Sheraton

Description:
Apple's iLife Suite of applications offers an exciting collection of applications that can be used to adapt and accentuate the curriculum. These applications include iMovie, iPhoto, iWeb, GarageBand, and iDVD. Used together with adapted devices, iLife opens a whole new world to students by providing ways to differentiate instruction. Students can be part of creating their own music, Web pages, podcasts, movies, photo albums, etc. iLife offers educators tools to create exciting and meaningful activities and materials. Using these tools can engage, motivate, and inspire students to become active participants in the learning process. Participants in this workshop will learn how to provide differentiated instruction and make adaptations to the curriculum using iLife applications. They will be introduced to a wide variety of devices, including iPods, IntelliKeys, cameras and switches, as well as several software programs, such as SwitchXS and Overlay Maker. Participants will have the opportunity to develop a project using one or several iLife applications, and may choose to create a movie, author a DVD, create a podcast, compose music, or build a Web page. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on Macintosh computers — one computer for every two participants.)

Presenters:
Mark Coppin, B.A. in Speech Communication and B.S. in Special Education, is the Assistive Technology Director and Theresa Hanson, B.S. in Elementary Education, is the Assistive Technology Coordinator, both, Anne Carlsen Center for Children, Jamestown, ND.

Location: Salons 1 & 2 Sofitel

Description:
Provisions within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 require that specialized formats of textbooks and related core instructional materials be provided to students with print disabilities in a timely manner. Although is it logical that all students need access to instructional materials in order to reach expected outcomes, the mandate that these materials be provided in accessible formats is raising many questions for state and local education agencies and for families. What are core instructional materials? What are specialized formats? What are print disabilities? Which students have print disabilities? Where can we get these specialized formats? What else is needed so that students can use the materials effectively? Join Joy, Kelly, and Scott for an in-depth exploration of these questions and more. Learn how states and districts across the nation are working together to ensure that students have the materials they need for educational participation and achievement. Resources for selecting, acquiring, and using accessible instructional materials will be shared.

Presenters:
Joy Zabala, Ed.D., ATP, is the Project Manager, The AIM Consortium, CAST, Inc., Lake Jackson, TX; Kelly Fonner, M.S., is an Assistive/Educational Technology Consultant, Lake Geneva, WI; and Scott Marfilius, M.S., is an Assistive/Educational Technology Consultant, Bayside, WI.

Location: Salons 3 & 4 Sofitel

Description:
Common approaches to Response to Intervention (RTI) employ a single Tier 2 intervention to address the instructional needs of struggling readers who do not respond to Tier 1 instruction. This intermediate level workshop will teach participants to design multiple Tier 2 interventions that respond to individual student learning needs using AT to support instruction and progress monitoring. Using school-based projects as examples, this workshop will address RTI as it relates to reading instruction for students with varied (dis)abilities who can read at conventional levels but struggle to read with fluency and comprehension at expected levels, including students with complex communication needs.

Presenters:
Karen Erickson, Ph.D., is a Professor, Dept. of Allied Health Sciences and is the Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Penny Hatch, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a Research Associate, Gretchen Hanser, M.S., OTR, is a Research Associate, and Eric Sanders, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a Research Assistant, all, Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.

Location: Bloomington Sheraton

Description:
Understanding and working within the education initiatives that are shaping instruction in your district can make your AT services more effective and more meaningful. If you don't know how EBP relates to RBI, whether AT can play a role in PBS, the relationship between UDL, AIM and DI, or when AT becomes critical in RTI, you are not alone. And yet, these initiatives provide a dramatic opportunity for increased acceptance and use of AT. This workshop will help you understand how to effectively interface AT with Differentiated Instruction (DI), Response to Intervention (RTI), Positive Behavioral Support (PBS), Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM), and Research-Based Intervention (RBI). It will include opportunities to judge and discuss research, analyze AT hardware and software to realize its potential for use in differentiated classrooms, and strategize for increased use of AT in you district.

Presenters:
Penny R. Reed, Ph.D., is a Consultant, Penny Reed Consulting, Roseburg, OR and Gayl Bowser, M.S., is a Consultant, Assistive Technology Collaborations, Roseburg, OR.

Location: Edina Sheraton

Description:
The purpose of this workshop is to introduce participants to a suite of commercial and open source tools that can be used to modify text in order to improve the accessibility of the curriculum. The goal is to design a solution that will allow students with disabilities and other students with reading scores in the bottom quartile to gain access to grade level instructional content. Participants will learn about Web page accessibility and how to author a Web page using Cascading Style Sheets. With the right tools and a few skills, you will be able to (1) make tiered texts that offer students the information they need in multiple levels of difficulty and complexity so they can access the version that is right for them; (2) create an audio version of any text document in order to support struggling readers; and, (3) create multilingual audio versions of any text document in order to support English Language Learners. Each participant will construct an accessible, tiered, talking Web page for use in their own classroom. This intermediate level workshop is especially designed for classroom teachers, technology specialists, assistive technology teams, therapists, and administrators. Note: Participants MUST bring two items to this workshop: (1) your own laptop computer (Windows XP or Vista or Macintosh OS X) that includes a wireless card, a Web browser, and Microsoft Word, and (2) a 500-800 word text document in a word processing file. This information will be the content for creating a Web page that is accessible and offers your students multiple formats to access the information.

Presenters:
Dave L. Edyburn, Ph.D., is a Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI.

Location: Atrium 1 Sheraton

Description:
This workshop will focus on individuals with complex communication needs and the strategies that can impact a lifetime of learning, from age 2 to 102! Strategies for preparing individuals to learn how to provide engagement opportunities will be addressed first. Providing access to the most appropriate light tech systems that can lead to higher tech communication systems, despite behaviors or appearance, will also be addressed. And, the necessity to provide a full range of communication modes to allow for growth and a lifetime of learning will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on light tech methods, Making Language Visible strategies, and access techniques that can be used for success in curriculum activities, daily life, social activities, and beginning literacy activities. This workshop is especially designed for the beginner or people who train others who want step-by-step strategies to build early communication and techniques that can be used tomorrow. Participants will walk away with a resource kit of created materials, to be used for beginning communicators. There is a $30 materials fee in addition to the $270 cost of the workshop.

Presenters:
Pati King DeBaun, M.S., is a Speech Language Pathologist specializing in assistive technology, Creative Communicating, Park City, UT; Sue Aldofer, B.S., is a Speech Language Pathologist, Montgomery County, Perkiomenville, PA; and Karen Biggerstaff, M.S., is a Speech Language Pathologist/Consultant, San Antonio, TX.

Location: Atrium 4 Sheraton

Description:
Have you ever wanted to learn how to create activities in IntelliTools Classroom Suite? So many choices, so many options ... feel overwhelmed? This full day, hands-on computer lab will take out some of the mystery and teach you tips and tricks. You will quickly and easily modify existing templates to create activities specifically for students who use switches to access the computer. We will guide you through the process of modifying templates that have been cleverly designed and authored to make modifications simple. You will be able to customize the software for a variety of play, language, and curricular activities. Attendance at the Tuesday preconference session, Getting to Conversations and Communication While Learning Switch Access, will be useful, but not required as a basis for understanding the Stepping Stone sequence for switch access and application strategies for using these activities with students. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on both Macintosh and PC computers — one computer for every two participants.) Note: If you plan to bring your own computer, you will be responsible for having Classroom Suite 3.2 installed with the latest update from IntelliTools' Web site, along with Overlay Maker 3. A demo version of Classroom Suite 4 may also be installed on the same computer. Plan to arrive 20 minutes prior to the start to set up your computer. There is a $35 materials fee in addition to the $270 cost of the workshop.

Presenters:
Linda J. Burkhart, B.S., is a Special Educator/Augmentative Communication Specialist/Technology Integration Specialist in private practice, Eldersburg, MD; Susan Garber is the Executive Director, AT:LAST, Inc.: The MD AT Cooperative, Columbia, MD; Jeanne Noorisa is a Special Educator, AT Team, Baltimore County Public Schools, Monkton, MD; Jan Kurtz, M.S., is an Occupational Therapist, AT Team, Baltimore County Public Schools, Hampstead, MD; and Marsye W. Kaplan, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP, is an Assistive Technology Team Leader, Baltimore County Public Schools, Timonium, MD.

Location: Atrium 6 Sheraton

Description:
The Bookshare announcement offering free student subscriptions was terrific news, but textbooks are rarely available, and other sources often require annual subscriptions and expensive players or software. Meanwhile, IDEA 2004 mandates that local school districts provide accessible materials to all students who need them. Jim and Mark will offer a series of computer-based lessons showing participants how to create digital and audio curriculum materials. We'll discuss the Michigan Rescue project and show how much can be achieved when districts collaborate to unify their efforts in this area. This year, we will have an in-depth look at the development of district policies and forms for the use of accessible materials. We'll look at policies at both local and regional levels, forms for certifying students, the use of school-based DRMs (digital rights managers) and flowcharts showing the movement of materials from book archive to the students' hands. We'll discuss the similarities and differences in AIM implementation plans across Michigan, and will show how the use of district-created materials can merge with the use of materials from other sources. Our Rescue Project book archive now contains 1,800 titles in pdf and mp3 format. Participants who represent “authorized entities” according to the Chafee Amendment may bring an external hard drive (at least 80G) and receive the archive to use with eligible students in their district. Each participant will receive a headset microphone, a personal mp3 player, and a resource CD. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on PC computers — one computer for every two participants.) There is a $35 materials fee in addition to the $270 cost of the workshop.

Presenters:
Jim Kauppila, B.A., is a Teacher Consultant for Assistive Technology, Muskegon Area ISD, Muskegon, MI and Mark Dennis, M.A., is a Consultant for Assistive Technology, Eaton ISD, Charlotte, MI.

Location: Plaza 1 Sheraton

Description:
Access remains the number one "problem" for so many of the children we serve. However, accessibility to AT equipment, task participation, and performance may be extremely limited for children due to their current seating. Sensory processing directly affects visual convergence, focus, attention, and postural control. To assist children in "access," we must also better understand how their bodies work, and what types of seating equipment is needed. Throughout this intermediate to advanced level workshop, the presenter will share strategies that work with children that provide them with increased awareness and use of sensory processing within their seating systems so that increased, consistent access can be observed and used.

Presenters:
Karen M. Kangas, OTR/L, ATP, is an Occupational Therapist, Assistive Technology Specialist, and Clinical Educator in private practice, Shamokin, PA.

Location: Plaza 2 Sheraton

Description:
Are you struggling with understanding the mystery that surrounds the nebulous term "social relation skills deficit?" If so, then this beginner level workshop is for you! As we explore this puzzling concept, we will discover numerous clues to unraveling the mystery regarding social relation differences in children and adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome. These clues are critical components to developing appropriate intervention and programming for social relation skills. As we work through this mystery, we will discover the keys for understanding social relation differences; assessment of social relation skills; developing an individualized social relations skills program; and the use of technology for social relation skills instruction. Detectives who attend this workshop will also discover several other essential keys for social relation skills programming, considered for "your eyes only."

Presenters:
Susan L. Stokes, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an Educational Autism Consultant and Trainer in private practice, Fond du Lac, WI.

Location: Plaza 3 Sheraton

Description:
While the term guided reading is widely used, examination of literacy instruction for many students with significant disabilities continues to focus on simplistic comprehension tasks (“Where was the dog hiding?”) and limited interactive opportunities with text (hit the switch for the repeated line). This research-based workshop will focus on interactive literacy learning for upper elementary, middle school, and secondary students with severe disabilities, including students who use AAC. We will offer literature review and presentation of light and high tech strategies, followed by extensive "try-it" sessions. Topics will include how to select age-respectful and text-appropriate materials; opportunities to use the before-during-after approach to build background knowledge, set a purpose for reading, and help students demonstrate their learning through after-reading activities; and strategic reading variations. Learn and practice specific strategies for instruction and assessment of reading comprehension, including alternate assessment procedures. Participants will receive the new Learning to Read CD and the READ project planbook. There is a $15 materials fee in addition to the $270 cost of the workshop.

Presenters:
Caroline Ramsey Musselwhite, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, is an Assistive Technology Consultant and Author, AAC Intervention, Litchfield Park, AZ; Samuel Sennott, M.A., is a Special Educator, Assistive Technology Specialist, Ph.D. Candidate Pennsylvania State University, Quechee, VT; Katy Spencer, M.A.Ed., is a Self-Contained Special Education Teacher/Lead Teacher of Adjusted Learning Program for Students, Buckeye Elementary School District, Surprise, AZ; and Kim Daswick, B.A., is a Parent of an AAC User, Litchfield Park, AZ.

Location: Plaza 5 Sheraton

Description:
Homework is necessary for learning. Children learn facts, generalize them, and then are asked to apply them to an everyday task or assignment. These application lessons are most often given as homework. Our job in special education is to be sure that these assignments are understood, get home in a readable form, are completed by the student and returned by the student for credit, are finished on time, and are substantially correct. The purpose of this intermediate level workshop is to present an organized system for looking at all the components of homework that can be assisted through the use of teacher or student technologies. We'll look at keeping track of short and long term assignments, organizing long term assignments, making sure students alone finish an assignment, determining how long an assignment will take, finishing and returning an assignment in a format that meets student needs, checking and correcting homework, and deciding when homework should be modified, changed or reduced. We'll examine low to high tech tools for all of these tasks and talk openly about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Presenters:
Judith P. Sweeney, M.A. Special Education, is the President/Consultant, Onion Mountain Technology, Inc., Canton, CT.

Location: Plaza 4 Sheraton

Description:
This intermediate level, hands-on workshop will take you beyond the basics of Clicker 5 and Clicker Paint to differentiate the learning for all students. Create reading and writing activities that support students with hearing, vision, physical access, communication, and cognitive disabilities, as well as generate accessible performance-based assessments. Use it to produce multimedia books, engaging learning activities utilizing sounds, music, video, photographs, and sign language video adaptations. Learn how AAC users can access, create, and demonstrate learning. Using digital cameras and camcorders, learn how to drag, drop, and create right-on-the-spot activities for learning, or allow your students to create and produce with embedded supports. Ignite your students' motivation and engagement in the learning process. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on both Macintosh and PC computers — one computer for every three participants.) Note: If you plan to bring your own computer, you will be responsible for having Clicker 5 and Clicker Paint installed. Plan to arrive 20 minutes prior to the start to set up your computer.

Presenters:
Dan Herlihy is an Assistive Technology/Technology Resource Specialist, Connective Technology Solutions, Inc., Hoosick, NY and Darlene Brodbeck, M.S., is the AT Coordinator, ACES, Hamden, CT.

Location: Plaza 6 Sheraton

Description:
That dreaded fourth block in the Four Block Model is writing. We all know it's necessary, even want to teach it, but what kind of structure can be effective for all of our students, from those with minimal needs to the neediest? The 6 + 1 Traits of Writing as proposed by Ruth Culham is that structure. And, while Culham's platform was intended for more typical students, it is an amazing structure to build a writing program around, and once upon the springboard of “good instruction,” it guides the modifications and accommodations for our most needy students. And as David Koppenhaver preaches, “Good instruction is good instruction!” This platform's process-driven nature lends itself to both an integration of augmentative communication and technology, while at the same time challenges teachers to push the envelope in those same two areas. This lecture/computer lab workshop will be an action-packed day of utilizing Picture Books to teach the traits, while exploring the various modifications (both low and high tech) to accomplish our writing goals. Three types of children, in terms of level of needs, will be addressed, from minimal needs to more severe. Teachers wanting to expand their ability to effectively teach writing, as well as hone their computer skills utilizing Classroom Suite, are enthusiastically invited to spend a fast-paced day utilizing Picture Books to inspire even the most reluctant writer. (And aren't most of us???) And don't think those picture books are just for little ones, as they are appropriate for older students also. Extensive video will show you the “how to” in action with a variety of students. Your materials fee will include the book, Using Picture Books to Teach Writing with the Traits by Ruth Culham, extensive handouts, and a computer disk full of writing ideas for Classroom Suite. (Hands-on activities will be conducted on both Macintosh and PC computers — one computer for every two participants.) There is a $30 materials fee in addition to the $270 cost of the workshop.

Presenters:
Susan Norwell, M.A. Special Education, is an Educational Specialist in private practice, Focused Learning Solutions, Buffalo Grove, IL.

Location: Salons 1 & 2 Sofitel

Description:
Students with significant disabilities are frequently included in general education for participation reasons. Teachers and related services staff often find themselves struggling as to how to make this placement academically appropriate for their students so that time is spent meaningfully during these opportunities. Providing assistive technologies is often explored without connection to a curriculum and can be an isolated, passive activity. It doesn't have to be this way. Come to this workshop and gain a structure for making participation prioritization decisions and a framework as to how to apply assistive technology strategies and tools. We will offer a wide variety of on- and off-computer examples to bring active curricular experiences to the students that many of us are eager to engage. We will demonstrate, lecture, and discuss a wide variety of ideas and provide a resource guide that covers no tech, low tech, and high tech assistive technologies for students with cognitive disabilities, severe autism, physical disabilities, and severe multiple disabilities.

Presenters:
Kelly Fonner, M.S., is an Assistive/Educational Technology Consultant, Lake Geneva, WI and Scott Marfilius, M.S., is an Assistive/Educational Technology Consultant, Bayside, WI.

Location: Salons 3 & 4 Sofitel