Happy New Year!

Season's Greetings

 I look forward to all that the new year will bring and to sharing the many resources I come across with all of you! Happy holidays and New Year!

#ATchat recap with Storify

Scroll through the slides to catch up on last night's #ATchat which focused on StrATegies for Success!

A Special Needs Gift Giving Guide

The excitement of children expressing their desire for new toys and "hot items" are echoing through homes around the country as we come full swing into the holiday season. With that being said, many families are faced with the daunting task of selecting the right gifts for their children or loved ones. This may resonate more deeply for families of children with special needs.

Glenda Hampton Anderson from Glenda's Assistive Technology Information and More...blog shares a comprehensive gift giving guide of what to consider when buying toys for children with disabilities. The guide provides insight into considerations of toy safety, gift giving ideas for toys ideal for younger children to gifts better suited for teens, as well as a long list of helpful resources. 

My hope is you find the guide, as well as the vast resources Glenda offers on her fantastic blog, as a great starting point and hopefully provides some relief during this fun-filled, but at times stressful, time of year. Happy shopping!!! 

Gift Giving Guide for Kids with Special Needs Link

Source: Glenda's Assistive Technology Information and More...blog

Twitter Chat: Preview Tonight's #ATchat Questions

Twitter Chat: StrATegies for Success

I am extremely excited that I was asked to co-moderate this week's #ATchat on Twitter with the extremely knowledgeable Mike Marotta (@mmatp). The focus of our discussion will be about StrATegies for Success when screening for and implementing assistive technology. This is a great chat for those new to the AT field to ask questions and perfect for AT "veterans" to discuss areas of success and share their go-to resources. A preview of the questions will be posted here tomorrow! Whether you want to lurk, follow along or actively participate, be sure to join us tomorrow night at 8-9pm EST on Twitter using the hashtag #ATchat! 

Motivational Monday

Sensory Friendly Santa

The incredible website Autism Speaks is once again joining "holiday forces" with the Noerr Programs Corporation on their Sensory-Friendly Santa programs! Caring Santa (a partnership with SIMON Malls), Santa Cares and Sensitive Santa (a partnership with Washington Prime Group Malls) all provide families that have children with autism and other special needs with the opportunity to connect with Santa in a special way this holiday season! The events provide a more controlled and welcoming environment to visit Noerr’s Santa Photo Experience. 

Be sure to visit the Austism Speaks site to find more information about these events happening in your area. Just another reason to love Santa a little bit more! 

In addition to the NOERR events (hosted at the Walt Whitman and Smithtown Malls on Long Island, NY), please be sure to look into the "Sensitive Santa" event at the Broadway Mall in  Hicksville, NY from 10-11am on December 11, 2016. Following the Santa Event, there is an opportunity for children to partake in a holiday craft hosted by the Hicksville Macaroni Kid. 

As described below, guests who have sent an RSVP or registered on or before December 4th will be provided time set aside with Santa in an environment to support the child's sensory needs. 

If interested contact Ariel Nelson at Anelson@broadwaymall.com .

Source: Autism Speaks, Macaroni Kid, NOERR program

Apple Showcases Accessibility Features

Apple's redesigned accessibility webpage launched a few weeks ago and is showcasing how essential assistive technology is for people with disabilities. Unlike the previous version of Apple's site, which displayed Apple's disability-friendly technology through straightforward descriptions and static photos, the new site shows Apple's AT in action through short 30-second videos. Below you can find the links to view these short trailers.

On December 20th, I will be attending an Apple Tools for Special Needs conference held in Long Island, NY where I will have a firsthand look at the new and improved accessibility technology available. If you're in the area and are interested in attending, click the link to register.  

 It's technology that is changing the lives of people with disabilities around the globe, enhancing the way they interact with the world on a daily basis. -Katie Dupere, Mashable.com 

Click above to see the Alanna Flax-Clark using the Workout App. 

Click to watch a trailer of Sady Paulson using the Switch Control.  

See Mountain Guide, Win Whittaker, using the Live Listen accessibility feature. 

Click above to watch the VoiceOver features used by Mario Garcia. 

Click above to explore all accessibility features available through Apple. 

To learn more about the accessibility features from Apple, read the Mashable article New Apple accessibility videos showcase real people using life-changing assistive tech by Katie Dupere. 

Source: Apple; Mashable