Motivational Monday

Motivational Monday

Motivational Monday

Source: http://northstarpaths.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Words-Make-Worlds-1.jpg

Webinar Wednesday: Avoiding Presumptions: The Pitfalls of “Presuming Competence”

Avoiding Presumptions: The Pitfalls of “Presuming Competence”

Live Broadcast Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2019 3:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern Time Zone

Webinar Type: Live Broadcast
Webinar Code: AT19-WEB10-LB
Webinar Fee: $39

Register Now!

Overview

The ideology of “presuming competence” has become a buzzword and is increasingly incorporated into practice within the field of AAC, despite its pseudoscientific origins and lack of supporting evidence. This webinar will discuss the benefits of recognizing the potential of all communicators, while maintaining an individualized lens for current abilities and future needs. In other words, how do we support each individual’s potential, while offering opportunities and expectations within their ZPD?​

Learning Objectives

1. The learner will identify 3 limitations to presuming competence without consideration for an individual’s current abilities and zone of proximal development.
2. The learner will define stimulability and the zone of proximal development as they relate to AAC system selection and goal development.
3. The learner will identify 2 tools that provide data to aid in goal development within the zone of proximal development.

Speakers

Katie O’Neil, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist in the Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a diagnostic clinician specializing in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and has worked in the field of AAC in various settings. Katie received her MS from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She has spoken nationally and internationally on AAC-related topics and has a particular interest in sensory impairment as it relates to AAC.

Rebecca McCarthy, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who has worked in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in various settings, including her current role as a diagnostic clinician within Boston Children's Hospital Augmentative Communication Program. Rebecca received her Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Emerson College in Boston, MA. Rebecca has spoken nationally and internationally on a range of topics related to AAC.

Lego Creates "Braille Bricks"

As stated by The National Federation for the Blind, more than one million people in the United States are legally blind, and yet fewer than 10 percent can read Braille. With rising unemployment rates for blind adults reaching over 70 percent, the Lego Foundation stepped in with a response to support a new generation of blind readers with the creation of "Braille Bricks". By early next year the iconic toy will be being used to help blind children read in American schools.


The following video from CBSnews provides an in depth look at the mission behind the creation of the "Braille Bricks".

To learn more about the "Braille Brick" pilot program, click here to read the Lego Foundation article. 

Source: CBSnews, Lego Foundation
Image: Lego Foundation

Motivational Monday

My Inclusion ABC's

Source: northstarpaths.com

Webinar Wednesday: 5 Ways to Be An A-1-1-Y Hero

Is accessibility ("A11Y") for learners with disabilities among the criteria you, your school, district, or state use when selecting educational materials and technologies? Then be sure to vote for Luis Perez and Cynthia Curry's #A11Y Hero proposal on SXSQ PanelPlicker. By doing so you'll gain the opportunity to learn five guidelines that should be a part of any procurement process and leave with your first action step toward making learning more accessible. You'll be an A11Y hero!

Source: PanelPlicker

Motivational Monday: Back to School

Wishing all of the teachers, students and families a wonderful year ahead!