Unlocking Access Through Collaboration: A Student’s Journey to Communication featuring the PRC Versa Eye

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Format:

lecture

Subject Level:

intermediate

Age Span:

kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12

Target Audience:

AT specialist

educator
family member / caregiver

occupational therapist

special educator

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

.01 CEU

ACVREP CEs:

1 CE

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Atrium 7

Description:

This case study will highlight the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team to support a student in transition with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), a physical disability, and complex communication needs. The student will begin with switches, but limited progress will lead the team to explore eye gaze technology for more effective access. The team—including family, educators, vision itinerant teacher, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, physical therapist, and nurse—will work together to tailor supports, adjust the environment, and design an accessible communication system. With these coordinated efforts, the student will gain greater independence and engagement, using PRC Versa Eye to participate in academic activities and communicate more effectively. This case will demonstrate how thoughtful collaboration and personalized assistive technology will remove barriers and promote equity for students with complex needs.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least three key roles within a multidisciplinary team and describe how each contributes to the assistive technology decision-making process for a student with complex needs.

• Analyze a student case study to determine appropriate assistive technology transitions using principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and visual accessibility.

• Develop a preliminary action plan for implementing or revising a student's access method, including environmental supports and team collaboration strategies.