Tuesday, October 20, 2026
8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Workshop Summary:
Students with complex communication needs (CCN), significant physical disabilities and Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI), often have limited opportunities, if any, to write with the full alphabet. Holding a conventional pencil is simply not an option, BUT- there is an alternative…an alternative pencil! Come learn about alternative pencils, a range of authentic writing activities and how it works in real life, busy classrooms from lower school to high school. Tips will also be shared for assessing change in emergent writing for students who are getting started with writing with the full alphabet. Student videos and writing samples will be shown throughout. Let’s REALLY get writing on the radar for these students!
Professional Development Credits:
IACET CEUs: 0.65
ACVREP CEs: 6.5
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will describe at least 3 alternative pencils, and discuss which is best for their target student(s).
Participants will compare at least 3 opportunities for writing across academic areas, and select those most appropriate to their student(s).
Participants will recommend at least 2 strategies for supporting students in developing their own topic ideas for generative writing.
Presenter(s)
Registration Options:
| Description | Workshop Fee | Register |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Conference Registration: (Workshop included at no additional cost with 3-day conference registration) | $0 | |
| Tuesday-Only Workshop Registration | $375 | Workshop Only Registration |
Learn more About this Workshop
Presenter-provided Abstract:
Introduction: Students with complex communication needs (CCN) – especially students with significant physical disabilities and Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI) – typically have limited opportunities to write with the full alphabet. Professionals frequently have erroneous beliefs about cognitive prerequisites, a lack of knowledge of alternative pencils and appropriate writing activities, as well as adaptations for CVI. The day will focus on giving professionals classroom activities, strategies, tools and informal assessment tips they need to get started on real writing with their students on Monday morning. The focus will be on students who are not yet writing readable text. Real student videos and writing samples will be shown throughout the day from lower school to high school classrooms.
Access to Writing: Students with CCN who cannot hold conventional writing tools must have an easy method for generating text. Using an alternative pencil is a powerful solution. There are a range of alternative pencils which need to be carefully matched to each student’s diverse physical and visual needs. This section will provide an overview of both light and high-tech tools that provide access to the full alphabet. Multiple examples of alternative pencils modified for CVI will be shown.
In the Classroom: To learn about what it means to be a writer, students need to have meaningful, authentic reasons to write. A range of ways to support students in writing about personally meaningful ideas will be shared, such as, “my favorites” lists, tactuals, photos, remnant books and open ended, content-based classroom lessons. The power of writing without standards - anything goes - unprompted writing will be emphasized. It allows students to learn what it means to be a writer, as well as providing a window in on their literacy knowledge. After writing, students need instructional feedback about their writing that acknowledges and celebrates their work.
Informal Assessment: Emergent writers typically generate text that does not yet spell readable words. While assessing this can be challenging, tips for informally assessing students over time will be shown. Examples include looking at conceptual skills such as students’ knowledge of the purposes of writing and what writers do, their use of the alternative pencil, the adult-student interaction during writing, as well as objective ideas for assessing writing samples.
Summary: Students with CCN – especially students with significant physical disabilities and CVI – often have limited opportunities, if any, to write with the full alphabet. Holding a conventional pencil is simply not an option, BUT- there is an alternative! How about an alternative pencil? This session will provide an alternative pencils overview, real reasons to write, informal assessment tips and what it looks like in a busy classroom with students who are exploring the full alphabet. Come see how to get writing on the radar in your class!