Pages

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Everyone Reading Conference 2017 - NYC

The month of March is rapidly approaching, which means the 44th annual Everyone Reading conference on dyslexia and related learning disabilities is right around the corner. The Everyone Reading conference will present the most recent information regarding reading difficulties, with specific attention towards dyslexia, in addition to strategies and tools to help identify and remediate weakness in reading, writing and mathematics. Aside from the fact this conference is taking place in my home state, what I'm most enthusiastic about are the conference sessions that specifically focus on utilizing available assistive technology, educational technology tools and literacy strategies to support students with reading deficits. Additionally, the conference sessions are filled with presentations from experts in the field to provide insight into strategies to support struggling learners. Read further about the two featured keynote speakers or click here to see the full conference schedule.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Keynote Address – Dyalekt – Literacy Begins with the Beat!

Dyalekt is an MC, educator, playwright, actor and radio host from St. Croix, USVI. He has promoted and celebrated the power of the spoken word in schools and on stages around the world. He uses his unique brand of Hip Hop education to empower students from grades K-Grad school, and provides training for teachers, writers, performers and professionals. He's the co-host of Brunch & Budget on Bondfire Radio, and has recently been using that platform to teach Hip Hop and finance workshops to high school and college students. His curricula are rap albums/are plays, and he is a member of the Public Theater's Emerging Writer's group as well as a Hip Hop artist with several records and tours under his belt. He wants to cypher with you. Dyalekt.com twitter: @dyalektraps

HELEN DIANE FOSTER

Commissioner, New York State Division of Human Rights

Helen Diane Foster was appointed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to head New York 

Division of Human Rights. In her capacity as Commissioner, Ms. Foster is responsible for the enforcement of New York State’s Human Rights law, the oldest such law in the country.  Under her leadership, the Division has made substantial progress such as the elimination of case backlog. Commissioner Foster is able to deliver Governor Cuomo’s message of the importance of the Human Rights Law through her public engagements throughout the State. She is called on to represent the State and the Governor is different capacities.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Foster served in the New York City Council for 11 years, representing the 16th District in Bronx County. As Council member, she represented 170,000 constituents at City Hall, was responsible for passing legislation, approving New York City’s $70 billion budget, attending Council hearings as well as community meetings, and for being an advocate for the under-served and underrepresented people of New York City.

Ms. Foster has participated on numerous panel discussions about her own struggles with dyslexia. Speaking about dyslexia is one of her passions.  She especially enjoys speaking to children with dyslexia.  In addition, Ms. Foster is often called upon to speak at churches, schools and community events.  She uses speaking engagements as a tool to empower communities and encourage youth through access to information.

Source: Everyone Reading

Monday, February 27, 2017

Thursday, February 16, 2017

All About Assistive Technology Chat

New to assistive technology, wondering what it's all about or just have questions regarding AT? 

Join the Understood.org community on Friday, February 18, 2017 at 12:00pm (EST) for an #AskUnderstood Assistive Technology Twitter expert chat. This platform provides an opportunity to have your questions about assistive technology answered by Jamie Martin, assistive technology consultant and trainer. Simply tweet your questions using #AskUnderstood. Not sure what to ask, then follow along to see the responses to questions posed by others. Either way it's one not to miss! 


Middle Grade Authors Love Teachers Giveaway #MGAuthorsLoveTeachers, 2017

Calling all teachers and librarians....Are you passionate about authentic literature? Do you have students who love to read? Then you're in the right place! 

The author of Fish in A Tree and One for the Murphys, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, has once again put together her annual Middle Grade Authors giveaway and this is one NOT to miss!
Lynda Mullaly Hunt

The giveaway, open only to educators and librarians, is Lynda's way to express appreciation for our children's "heroes". Alongside many other well accomplished authors, Lynda has created one pretty spectacular give away for one lucky winner on February 20th! The winner of this giveaway will receive a signed copy of every book below–each mailed to the winner in separate packages by their authors/illustrators. The list contains many popular young adult novels that will appeal to a vast audience. To see the books available in this giveaway, scroll down...You won't be disappointed! Additionally, Penguin books will be donating an unsigned set of their classic novels. 


Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Webinar Wednesday: Technology Consideration and Assessment for Secondary Students

How do educators work to determine which tools and strategies a student might require in order to ensure a free appropriate public education (FAPE)? When it comes to the selection of technology, there are often numerous options that might be put into place. Educators at the secondary level can use a familiar framework to help analyze the situation and suggest what to implement from a least to most restrictive point of view. Join Chris Bugaj (@attipcast), Assistive Technology Trainer at Loudon County Public Schools, Virginia; host, writer and producer of A.T.TIPSCAST and author of ATEval2Go on Thursday, February 16th, 2017 - 4:00pm to 5:00pm EST for the Technology Consideration and Assessment for Secondary Students webinar. In this webinar participants will have the opportunity to discuss and practice a method of assessing student needs that incorporates tools and strategies that take the least restrictive approach.




Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Share the Technology Love 💗

Made with Padlet

Monday, February 13, 2017

Motivational Monday


Thursday, February 9, 2017

Getting Started with AAC


When attempting to enter into the world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) it can seem daunting, leaving many unsure where to start. Three books have been designed to help families and professionals alike to get started with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). These books are free and have been edited by the ACE Centre, a UK charity providing information, advice and support for individuals who require technology to communicate. Click on the links below to access the books which can be read via web or through iBooks.

Book 1 - “Getting Started with AAC: Designing and using alphabet charts” discusses how to develop an alphabet chart, with videos and examples of how to use them.

Book 2 - “Getting Started with AAC: Using low tech symbol based systems with children” introduces low tech symbol based AAC to support individuals who can’t rely on speech to communicate to the best of their ability.

Book 3 - “Getting Started with AAC: Access to low tech symbol based resources when pointing is difficult” explores alternate ways of accessing low tech symbol based AAC where a child/young person/adult has physical or visual difficulties that make standard resources hard to use. This book is aimed at people who are familiar with low tech AAC and want to find out more about how to adjust and adapt the resources to meet individual needs.

Source: ace centre