June / July 2010

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There has been a great deal of attention regarding the need for data driven decision making over the past several years, and rightfully so. As teachers and therapists, we need to show the effectiveness of the tools being implemented and use evidence-based practices when we work with students who are augmented communicators. Suppose there were few opportunities in which to collect data or allow use of augmentative communication systems.

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Some thoughts before I begin...I believe that technology must be used as a catalyst for change. Purchasing technology that reinforces old ways of teaching is wasted money. Especially with the use of interactive whiteboards (IWB), where they look very much like a blackboard, a great deal of thought must be given to how the board will change teaching and, in this case, how the board will support and enhance the learning of students with learning differences.

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In too many classrooms, there is no expectation that learners with special needs will be able to learn and develop functional reading and writing skills. This is especially true for children with complex communication needs (CCN). Teachers in public schools, trying to teach children with disabilities, who require assistive technologies, to read and write in an inclusive setting may find the task overwhelming.

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BackgroundAccording to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 37.5 million people in the United States have learning disabilities (LD). Approximately 30 million of these individuals have associated reading (dyslexia) and spelling disorders. Within the US public school system, almost three million children (ages 6 through 21) have some form of LD and receive special education services.

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We've all heard the expression that a picture is worth a thousand words. For many students with cognitive disabilities, however, the idea has special meaning. Pictures, symbols and icons function as the words they can't read or speak as they learn to communicate and manage their daily living activities.

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Every day, people with learning disabilities wage a battle to understand and to be understood. The disability can impact not only the times that they are in school or work, but also their social and recreational lives as well. Individuals struggling with literacy are often in environments with restrictive budgets.

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Travis is a handsome 14-year-old boy with severe physical and mental disabilities. He is working in a class of 5th graders to develop a goal-oriented vision video of his desired future. He has an aide working with him, but he comes up with the words for his video.

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iPAD MOUNTSThe iPad itself is attached to either Arm by one of two methods. The first and very secure method is with my Device Adapter, a two-piece system, with the Universal Base attaching, via Super-Velcro, to the back of the iPad and the Device Adapter screwed to the end of either Arm.

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Grembe Inc. is pleased to announce the release of iCommunicate 1.2.1 for Apple's revolutionary new iPad. iCommunicate allows the user to create customized storyboards and visual schedules.

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Building on our long tradition of developing educational technology solutions that address the critical, day-to-day needs of the nation's struggling students, Kurzweil Educational Systems is pleased to announce the release of Kurzweil 3000 Version 12 for Windows.Kurzweil 3000 is a powerful literacy learning tool for all students. In schools across America, Kurzweil 3000 technology provides reading, writing and test-taking supports that represent the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).Students with learning disabilities, students who have the cognitive ability but not the reading ability to learn from grade-level content, and second language learners are among the many student populations that benefit from the use of Kurzweil 3000.Kurzweil 3000 Version 12 for Windows features expanded writing support, including an enhanced writing toolbar that integrates with most process writing models and smoothly transitions learners from pre-writing through their final draft. It includes many other additional new features and enhancements, including:• Text translation on-the-fly with Google Translate• Ability to read MathML through a partnership with Design Science, Inc.• Expanded eContent support through Internet Explorer• Additional digital file support for PDF, Daisy 2, Daisy 3 and NIMAS• A Picture Dictionary containing 1,300+ images supporting English and Spanish• Human Pronunciations for over 64,000 words from American Heritage Dictionary• Comprehensive set of brainstorm and outline writing templates"We know that students in every state and in many countries in the world rely on our software every day to learn and express themselves.

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Agapé Riding Center opens in Henderson, Minneosta giving individuals the opportunity to participate in equine assisted learning. The new 501(c)(3) non-profit organization's mission statement is to develop capable and resilient individuals by incorporating horses into therapeutic and learning programs. David Spellman, founder, has been horseback riding for 30 years.

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