Webinar Wednesday: AT and the IEP Resources and Webinar

All about Assistive Technology and the IEP

AT and the IEP  - Featuring Lisa Lightner   Are you a parent or family member of a child with an IEP? Do you work with students with disabilities and their families? This family-oriented webinar will provide valuable ideas on how to advocate for assistive technology devices and services designed to help students be successful at school.  This Thursday  March 29th, 2018- 1:00pm EST You still have time to RSVP for the webinar. You can access the entire webinar archive as well as all upcoming CTD events by visiting  CTD Webinar Central.

Resources on AT and the IEP Assistive Technology and the IEP When meeting with the IEP team, parents are a child's most effective advocate. It's important that they be prepared and informed. This brief guide informs parents about assistive technology and the IEP.   Also available in Spanish. Assistive Technology and the IEP - Tips for Parents This fact sheet provides tips to help parents navigate the IEP process, particularly with respect to assistive technology.  Assistive Technology and the IEP - Tips for General Ed Teachers This Infographic offers information and tips on how general education teachers conduct and follow through with Individualized education programs (IEP's).  Considering Assistive Technology There are many components to consider in assistive technology selection, such as student history, current needs, and future goals. This article from the Center for Parent Information and Resources gives step-by-step instructions to this process that all members of an IEP team can utilize.  Assistive Technology 101 This illustrated guide describes AT basics in user-friendly language. It discusses how to select AT devices and provides annotated photos of a wide range of AT options. This is a great starting point for those who want to learn about AT and teach others.

Web 2.0 Tools Accessibility Report Cards

In the 21st century classrooms, Web 2.0 tools are transforming the way students are supported and instruction is delivered. As it becomes more common practice for schools to incorporate technology into their classrooms, teachers will strive to select technology tools that enhance their instruction. Web 2.0 Tools are online software programs that allow users to do a number of different things. They can be used to teach curriculum content, store data, create/edit video, edit photos, collaborate and so much more. These programs are often free and are used by teachers, students, and sometimes parents, both in and out of the classroom, on a pretty regular basis.

So where does this leave our students with learning differences? The answer should be, right beside their peers. It is important that when selecting the tools to be used in your classroom, to consider what accessibility features are available as well. For those unsure where to begin looking, Wendy Torres' eBook, Web 2.0 Tools Accessibility: 6 Report Cards for Six Web 2.0 Tools, is the perfect place to get started. The eBook provides a brief overview and highlights the accessibility features of 6 popular Web 2.0 Tools, including Book Creator, Flipgrid, My Simple Show, Sugarcane Games, Wakelet and Sutori. Click on the image below to view the eBook! 

Motivational Monday

Autism Awareness Month: Discounted AAC and Literacy Apps

The time of year has arrived again where many AAC and literacy apps become discounted in honor of Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month. If you're looking to purchase an AAC or literacy app don't miss your chance to download select apps at a substantial discount. It is important to note the specific sale dates for each app as they vary!! Additionally, deeper discounts are available if you are purchasing these apps in bulk through Apple's VPP (Volume Purchasing Program). 

SLP, AAC Consultant, AT Consultant, Special Educator, Lauren Enders, created the following graphics below. Please be sure to click the links to the graphic as well as a spreadsheet with links for purchasing/downloading apps.

Here's the link to a PDF of this graphic for sharing: http://bit.ly/aacappsalegraphicmarchapril18

Here's the link to the spreadsheet with sale dates and download links: http://bit.ly/aacappsalesmarchapril18

Source: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenSEndersMaCccSlp/

Feature Matching Guide and Webinar

Those working in the field of Assistive Technology understand all too well the importance of feature matching when making the determination of getting technology into the hands of those in need of support. As shared on the CTD website, understanding the key needs, goals, and objectives for a student and the key features of an app/device, enables us to match students with the most appropriate device or app to achieve a desired goal. Dr. Therese Willkomm created the resource featured below for app analysis to help guide the process. Before accessing the guide, be sure to view the webinar, Feature Matching of Apps for Students with Disabilities.

App Analysis for Feature Matching Guide

In this webinar, Dr. Therese Willkomm discusses and demonstrates various tools, resources, and strategies to select the most appropriate app based upon desired outcomes, the environment, and the student's abilities. Participants will learn how to perform an app analysis that analyzes apps based measurable student goals and the physical, sensory, cognitive, environmental, and social abilities required to affectively use the app for the intended goal.

To learn more about feature matching, also visit http://matchingpersonandtechnology.com/ which provides more detailed information regarding the feature matching and sample feature matching checklists. 

Sources: Center on Technology and Disability, Matching Person and Technology

Motivational Monday

Is Assistive Technology Cheating?

Is it “cheating” to use assistive technology (AT) like dictation and text-to-speech? Does it give kids an unfair advantage? Hear from Jamie Martin, assistive technology consultant and dyslexia expert, on these and other common myths about AT tools.

Trialing Assistive Technology Tools

Understood has become a "go-to" resource for parents and educators looking to further their knowledge regarding various disabilities or a place to turn to when in need of more support and answers. The following article, "8 Places to Test-Drive Assistive Technology" helps highlight some of the best ways to trial assistive technology to ensure it is the best fit for your student or child. 

8 Places to Test-Drive Assistive Technology

By Amanda Morin

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At a Glance

• Trying out assistive technology (AT) can help you find the right tool for your child.
• You may be able to test out devices at your child’s school or at a nearby college.
• There may be an AT lending library near you.

Choosing an assistive technology (AT) is a bit like buying a car. Ideally, you want your child to spend a little time with it—take it for a test drive, so to speak—before you make a final decision. Here are some of the places where you can arrange a test drive to help you find out if the device is a good fit for your child.

Did you know that your child may be eligible for free digital text-to-speech books? Learn more.

1. Your Child’s School

If your child qualifies for special education services, a good first step is talking to the evaluator at school who is doing her AT assessment. (At some schools, there may be several people with this responsibility.) Evaluators often have relationships with manufacturers of AT equipment. Your child’s evaluator may be able to arrange a trial period for her to use the AT tool before the school decides whether to buy it.

2. Retailers

If you’re not working with an evaluator at school or aren’t sure what kind of AT will help, you may want to ask your child’s teacher or guidance counselor for suggestions. Depending on your child’s learning issues, a basic laptop or e-reader might be the only hardware she needs for assistive technology. Many retailers that sell tablet computers and other devices let shoppers play around with them in the store.

3. Colleges and Hospitals

Many community colleges and universities have AT centers for student use. You can contact a college’s disability support center and ask if your child can try out equipment in the college’s computer lab. Some hospitals, especially large teaching facilities, have AT centers as well. Call the hospital and ask if it has H.E.L.P.—a Hospital Equipment Loan Program. If so, the program’s coordinator can assist you.

4. AIM Explorer

AIM Explorer is a free downloadable tool that can help children with reading issues figure out which AT tools and supports will meet their needs. The program is part of CAST, which was founded as the Center for Applied Special Technology. It supplies learning tools to schools and has on its website free and low-cost learning tools for students.

5. Pass It On Center

The Pass It On program helps reuse AT tools that people with disabilities no longer need. You can find a center near you that participates in the Pass It On program and test out AT that is available for loan, purchase or giveaway.

6. Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)

This group is a trade organization whose members make, sell and provide AT devices and services. You have to pay to attend the seminars at ATIA conferences, but the exhibit hall is free. You and your child can try out and compare products on display there. You can also talk with people who can show you all the features and answer your questions in-depth.

7. Your State AT Act Project

The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) lists each state’s programthrough which you can try out or borrow devices. You can also get information about financing programs to help find ways to pay for AT.

8. Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) Centers

This network of community organizations and companies helps children and adults with disabilities find and use AT. There are ATA centers in nearly every state. Many of the centers have lending libraries so families can test out different kinds of tools.

Testing out different kinds of AT will give you a better idea about what works best for your child. Be sure to ask the school key questions before anyone buys anything. It’s also a good idea to make the most of the built-in features on your smartphone or tablet computer. You can get recommendations for apps and games that can help with learning in Understood’s Tech Finder.

Key Takeaways

• You may be able to test out different devices in stores.
• AIM Explorer can help you figure out which supported reading software meets your child’s needs.
• Talk to the school and ask questions to help get the right tools for your child.

About the Author

Amanda Morin is a parent advocate, a former teacher and the author of The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education.

Reviewed by

Kristen L. Hodnett, M.S.Ed., is a clinical professor in the department of special education at Hunter College in New York City.