Missouri Assistive Technology

April 21 and 22, 2008 Tan-Tar-A Resort Sponsored by Missouri Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Assistive Technology Conference & Expo

Monday, April 21, 9:00 am – Noon

Intensive Sessions

Monday, 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Concurrent Sessions

A1 -- Alphabet Soup: Assistive Technology Legislation & Funding Resources
A2 -- Bookshare.org for Education
A3 -- Computer Access for Adults with Physical Disabilities
A4 -- New Assistive Technology for Work & Leisure
A5 – PDF Accessibility
A6 -- The "Write" Tools for Writing - Read & Write Gold

Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 – 9:30 am
Concurrent Sessions

B1 -- Alternative Format Options:  From Daisy Readers to Caption Mic
B2 -- Assistive Technology in the Workplace
B3 -- Cascading Style Sheets: Accessibility Tips
B4 -- Teaching Shared Reading and Writing with Success
B5 -- Text-to-Speech for All Students in eMINTS Classrooms
B6 -- The Basics of Podcasting
B7 -- Visual Scenes with Core Vocabulary

Tuesday, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Concurrent Sessions

C1 -- An Exploration of the PAC Mate Omni
C2 -- Assessing the Transportation Needs of People With Physical Disabilities
C3 -- Increasing Student Capacity Via Interactive E-learning Modules
C4 -- InterAACT:  The Interaction of Language & Technology
C5 -- Social Media: Open Source Software and Connecting with Consumers
C6 -- Supported Learning Beyond the Book – WYNN
C7 -- The "Write" Stuff

Tuesday, 11:20 am – 12:20 pm Sessions
Concurrent Sessions

D1 -- Enhancing Learning Through Visual Scene Displays
D2 -- Low Cost and Free Screen Readers/Magnifiers
D3 -- Lowering the 75% Unemployment Rate With a UbiDuo
D4 -- Text-to-Speech With Secondary Students: Project Update
D5 -- Update of Federal Section 508 Refresh
D6 -- Wound Prevention and Increased Seating Tolerances
D7 -- Youth Leading the Way

Monday, April 21, 9:00 am – Noon

Intensive Sessions

1 -- IT Accessibility 101

2 -- Making AAC Functional: Hands-on Programming

Wipe the dust off of your unused or underused AAC Devices and bring them with you to class.  This class is designed for users and/or supporters of augmentative communication.  Bring in your communication device and learn how to get it programmed and customized for your client or student.  We will discuss functional communication options and then break up into small groups based on what device you brought with you to program and customize the device for the user.  Plan on sharing great ideas and boards with other users and meet other AAC supporters in the state of Missouri.  Bring questions and concerns for the team of evaluators as well as the state representatives for the major AAC DME’s in the state.  You will have access to a computer with BoardMaker, printer, and laminator for static communication systems and a group experience with hands on assistance for making changes to Dynamic Communication Systems.  So lets dust those devices off and give our users functional communication.  A survey must be turned in after signing up for this class to make presenters aware of what device you plan to bring.

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3 -- OneNote 2007 in the Classroom: A Hands-on Approach

This beginning to intermediate level lab presentation will cover the features of tablet computing technology and its potential use for students with learning disabilities.  Participants will begin with a hands-on introduction to tablet computing, covering basic hardware and Tablet PC OS features.  The second half of the lab will explore Microsoft Office applications and focus primarily on Microsoft OneNote 2007 and its features most beneficial to struggling students.  In its simplest form, OneNote is an electronic version of a paper notebook where you can write down notes, thoughts, ideas, scribbles, reminders, and all kinds of other information. Unlike the traditional document page format of other programs such as word-processing or spreadsheet programs, OneNote offers a free-form canvas where you can type, write, or draw notes in the form of text, graphics, and images wherever and however you want them.  You can separate and organize your notes by subjects or projects, or keep separate notebooks for different places and interests. OneNote is easy to use, and it doesn't force everyone to work in the same way.

Learning Outcomes:  Understand basic Tablet PC features and functions.  Begin to understand MS Office OneNote 2007 as a powerful tool for general and special education populations.  Begin to understand most useful features available in MS Office products that may already be widely distributed in your classrooms.

4 -- TAP for Telephone Update for TAP-T Providers

5 -- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and E-text: Concepts, Promises & Pitfalls

Targeted to policy makers and educational leaders, this session will provide an introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the promise of electronic text for students with disabilities and learning differences.  An overview of UDL will be provided along with an introduction to the variety of electronic text forms available and used in instruction.  Specific information will be provided about how e-text supports and works with initiatives like Response to Intervention, Early Intervening Services, and Tiers of Intervention along with traditional special education and related services.  Information about technology supports and resources at a national level and state programs that compliment these national efforts will be provided to help participants begin local level initiatives.

Monday, 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm

Concurrent Sessions

A1 -- Alphabet Soup: Assistive Technology Legislation & Funding Resources

From SCHIP to MO HealthNet to Missouri's new Home Accessibility Tax Credit, to funding resources for assistive technology, there are plenty of acronyms to go around.  This session will look at what Congress and Missouri's legislature are doing that impact access to assistive technology.  Alphabet Soup will also explore resources for getting the AT needed by kids and adults, including funding resources.

A2 -- Bookshare.org for Education

A3 -- Computer Access for Adults with Physical Disabilities

Joy Meachum has been working with individuals with LS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, for the past 4 years.  After completing the Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) from CSUN, she has focused much of her time on assisting individuals with ALS on all aspects of assistive technology, mainly on computer access and augmentative and alternative communication options.  She has also written an Assistive Technology Manual for those served by The ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter.

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A4 -- New Assistive Technology for Work & Leisure

Participants will gain a greater knowledge of the assistive equipment that is currently available.  Exposure to some of the latest state-of-the-art assistive technology products is only part of what is covered in this broad presentation of technology.  In addition to learning about assistive equipment, attendees will discover multiple applications and solutions for those that suffer from hearing loss and/or cognitive challenges.  Repair options are also discussed.

A5 – PDF Accessibility

A6 -- The "Write" Tools for Writing - Read & Write Gold

The ever-present need to effectively reach underachieving readers and writers compels teachers to use an array of teaching tools and strategies. Among those effective tools is Read & Write GOLD (RWG) from Texthelp Systems Inc. Learning more about the writing support tools in RWG is the focus of this session.

With abundant evidence signaling the need for diversified instruction, a key question is not whether teachers need diverse tools; rather, it is asking which tools offer comprehensive and flexible support to students. RWG, along with the existing writing tools in MS Word, provide that flexible support. For struggling writers working toward mastery of writing process stages, the combination of speech feedback, organized information, and writing revision tools found in RWG and Word lay the groundwork for improved student writing. Whether they are brainstorming, drafting or revising, writers will find a feature to help.

Students might choose to use Fact Mapper in RWG to craft a visual map of brainstorming ideas. From there, they might export the contents of the Fact Map into an MS Word outline. As they work in Word to assemble a piece of writing, they tap into the support features of RWG to bolster the quality of their finished product. For those who need a boost with choosing the important points of a text passage, there are study tools to help. Color highlighters to earmark information may provide the right amount of support for one student; another may need to have those highlighted items automatically moved into their own document for further study. Perhaps those highlighted items in their own document serve as the key points in the outline of a writing assignment.  These are just a few of the ideas to explore in this session. Whether a student needs a full complement of support tools or a subset thereof, RWG and MS Word make a great team for supporting student writing.

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Tuesday, 8:30 – 9:30 am

Concurrent Sessions

B1 -- Alternative Format Options:  From Daisy Readers to Caption Mic

This session will provide an overview of alternative methods of communication from the traditional textbook.  We will explore the current trends, issues and technology as it relates to alternate formats.  Participants will receive an overview of Text reading programs that are available such as Kurzweil, Wynn, Premier AT, PDF reader.  We will also explore Daisy software and Daisy hardware.  In addition to text reader programs, participants will receive an overview of captioning options available including Typewell and Caption Mic.

B2 -- Assistive Technology in the Workplace

This session will provide examples of work related adaptive devices and discuss how assistive technology can maximize inclusion and productivity of people with disabilities in the workplace.

B3 -- Cascading Style Sheets: Accessibility Tips

B4 -- Teaching Shared Reading and Writing with Success

This session will demonstrate the shared Reading and Writing block of a Balanced Literacy Program in an elementary special education classroom.  Attendees will learn how to provide supports so children with mild to severe disabilities can experience success.

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B5 -- Text-to-Speech for All Students in eMINTS Classrooms

Universal design for learning (UDL) promotes access to learning through multiple modes, especially assistive technology. This project introduced text-to-speech (TtS) and voice recognition (VR) software in seven eMINTS general education elementary classrooms for all students to use over the course of one school year. eMINTS classrooms were equipped with high speed internet access, teacher laptop, data projector and SMART Board™             (interactive white board), printer, scanner, digital camera, and student productivity software. The teachers had all completed the eMINTS professional development program prior to the start of this project.

From this project we will share teacher and student use of TtS software that was implemented over the course of the school year including:
Effective writing and editing skills for all students,

• web use,
• head phones,
• networking software,
• student recognition of “need to use” for the software, and
• teacher recovery of instructional time.

B6 -- The Basics of Podcasting

We have all heard the term, podcasting, but what is it and how do I take advantage of it?
In this presentation, you will learn what podcasting is, how you can find podcasts and how you can listen to them using your PC and screen reader.

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B7 -- Visual Scenes with Core Vocabulary

Visual Scenes are a feature available on AAC devices to promote using realistic photos to teach vocabulary.  Young children respond well to photos of familiar places, things, people etc.   Adults with Aphasia may be able to convey information easier using photos of places and family members. 

This session will address combining the use of photos with the option of having core vocabulary to promote language and spontaneous, unique communication.  We will discuss using both Prentke Romich products and manual communication boards. 

Tuesday, 10:00 – 11:00 am

Concurrent Sessions

C1 -- An Exploration of the PAC Mate Omni

Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to explore the PAC Mate Omni menus
2. Participants will be able to beam files between pocket PC devices.
3. Participants will be able to view a PAC Mate Omni on a computer monitor

Summary:
Join me for an exploration of the PAC Mate Omni.  There has never been a note taking device this innovative and with this units potential for main streaming blind students with their sighted computer users.  In this presentation, you will learn about how Freedom Scientific works in conjunction with HP and Microsoft in order to bring you this awesome new tool for blind students and professionals.

Abstract:
Integration is a method of intertwining people, technology and situations.  PAC Mate Omni is a solution for integrating blind students and professionals into school and work.  PAC Mate Omni is a tool coupling innovation and integrations for note taking, various data management and reaching out to the world through internet and media.  Explore this device and learn what a difference it can make for you and the people depending on you.

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C2 -- Assessing the Transportation Needs of People With Physical Disabilities

An interactive session where participants will learn about multiple solutions for various scenarios of people with physical disabilities' transportation needs.

C3 -- Increasing Student Capacity Via Interactive E-learning Modules

This interactive paper presentation outlines systematic research conducted to measure the efficacy of an E-learning Module. The primary focus of the Module was to increase the awareness, understanding, and purpose of National Curriculum Standards for middle school students identified LD. Discussion will include assistive technology integration, barriers, outcomes, and findings related to student increasing capacity for students with learning disabilities.

C4 -- InterAACT:  The Interaction of Language & Technology

C5 -- Social Media: Open Source Software and Connecting with Consumers

C6 -- Supported Learning Beyond the Book – WYNN

This session will provide a road map for using the Internet to provide curriculum content and learning support for students who struggle with reading. Using WYNN software and the principles of Universal Design, the Internet will be accessed using built-in tools to enhance comprehension of Web content and isolate/extract key information. Strategies will be used to assist with learning and writing for improved student achievement.

With increasing numbers of students who struggle with learning in a traditional print-based environment, options for accommodating all learners to succeed is of vital importance. Educational content is now available from a variety of sources, in a variety of formats. These sources include textbooks, e-books, print libraries, Wikis, and the Internet.  In order to be successful in school and beyond, access to information, including grade-level curriculum is key – even for those who read below grade level.  Participants will gain an understanding of how students with reading challenges can successfully use content-based Web sites and other electronic formats.

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C7 -- The "Write" Stuff

Need “stuff” on writing?  This idea-packed session will leave you with a toolbox full of low tech, mid tech and high tech strategies for teaching writing to students K-12 with significant developmental disabilities.  Participants will see a variety of assistive technology tools ranging from software to voice output devices to low cost, low tech ideas and more.  Activities presented will take into account various access modes and sensory needs as well.  In addition, participants will see links between writing activities and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs), Alternate Performance Indicators (APIs), and/or goals and objectives for writing.  This session is sure to leave you with innovative ideas for teaching writing that will keep your writing sessions fun and engaging for all.

Tuesday, 11:20 am – 12:20 pm