Dyslexia Awareness Month Resources

Dyslexia Awareness Month is aimed at encouraging appropriate screening, assessment and intervention for those living with dyslexia. Additionally, it provides a platform to provide education on and debunk the myths about dyslexia. Take a look back at some of the incredible resources previously posted about dyslexia on Where It's AT to help kick off this week. Be sure to stay tuned here for more valuable resources to come! 

    Visit some links and previous Where It's AT blog posts...

• National Right to Read Foundation Checklist
• The Road to Decode for Dyslexia Awareness Month
• ‘All I Want To Do Is Be Somebody’: Henry Winkler On Lifelong Struggle With Dyslexia
• Student with Dyslexia Discovers What It’s Like to Read: Emery’s Story
• Explicit Phonics Instruction: It's Not Just for Students With Dyslexia
• Dyslexia and Visual Processing Issues
• Accommodating Students With Dyslexia
• 5 Important Steps to Navigating Dyslexia
• Dyslexia Facts
• The Creative Brilliance of Dyslexia | Kate Griggs | TEDxBrighton
• Myths and Truths About Dyslexia
• Accommodating Students with Dyslexia
• Accommodating Students with Dyslexia: 12 Strategies for Success
• Dyslexia Fact Sheet
• 9 Strengths of a Dyslexic by Nessy
• ADHD and Dyslexia: Why Do They So Often Co-Occur?
• Accommodations for Dyslexia
• What is Dyslexia? Infographic
• Dyslexia 411 by Green Grass & Lollipops
• Get the 411 on Dyslexia
• Dyslexia Awareness Month: Suggested Books for Students with Learning Differences
• Dyslexia Awareness Month: 10 Classroom Indicators of Dyslexia
• Dyslexia and the Brain
• Learning Ally's 1 in 5 Initiative
• Decoding Dyslexia
• Assistive Technology at a Glance
• Embracing Dyslexia
• Why Audiobooks Work Infographic
• Assistive Tech 101: Basics for Students with Dyslexia
• Dyslexia Awareness Month: 9 Facts About Dyslexia

• Dyslexia Awareness Month: Dyslexia for a Day Simulation Kit

• Dyslexia Awareness Month: Understanding Dyslexia
• Demystifying the 4 D's: Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia and Dysgraphia

Free Copy of Assistive Technology in Special Education by Joan Green

Could you use some help learning about the many ways the computers and mobile devices you already have can help children and adults improve communication, literacy, learning, and productivity? Be one of the 1,500 professional to receive a complimentary postage prepaid copy of the book Assistive Technology in Special Education by Joan L. Green. This updated resource guide will make your life easier and save you time and frustration as you read through the chapters that pertain to your situation. This opportunity to obtain  a complimentary copy of the book was made available in recognition of Better Hearing and Speech Month during the month of May. If you are not eligible for this offer, the book is now available on Amazon.com and its retail price of $45.00 has been reduced to $28.92- a 36% discount!

Yes! Please send me this gift when this limited print run is available!

#ATAwarenessDay

In honor of #ATAwarenessDay, I felt it was important to take a step back to review the basics of what assistive technology is, the types/categories of technologies available, frameworks, feature matching of tools, as well as some of the important steps to follow during the selection process. Whether you're new to the field of assistive technology or more seasoned, take a peek into each of these areas. Please feel free to comment below if you have any other information you feel should be included or would like to see more of. To learn more about #ATAwarenessDay follow the hashtag on Twitter and read about Senate Resolution 103. 

Visit some links and previous Where It's AT blog posts...

• Getting Started....What is Assistive Technology?
• Intro to Assistive Technology from the CTD
• Assistive Technology Checklist: What to Consider When Looking at AT
• Assistive Technology: What It Is and How It Works
• The QIAT Top 10
• Assistive Technology (AT) to Support Students with Special Needs
• 5 Low-Tech AT Options
• From High to Low to No Tech Tools
• The SETT Framework
• CTD's Assistive Technology Module

CTD's Assistive Technology Module

New to the field of assistive technology or looking to gain more insight? Then look no further. The incredible folks at CTD have done it again, this time providing the ultimate resource in Assistive Technology. Their training module includes guides, reference charts, vidoes and webinars. Be sure to read below and click on the hyperlinks to explore each module and resource further. 

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY MODULE LINK

CTD created an Assistive Technology Module for Personnel Preparation Programs in participating colleges and universities. Now they are making it available to all educators and trainers interested in a “ resource package”. The resources can be downloaded and copied or distributed electronically through the link for the module at: http://ctd4teachers.com/ or read below and click on the individual links!

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY MODULE
FOR PERSONNEL PREPARATION PROGRAMS

THE IMPORTANCE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

There are more than 6.7 million students ages 3–21 who receive special education services. That represents 13 percent of all public school students. That number does not include the additional millions with undiagnosed disabilities and/or those with diagnoses who do not receive formal special education services. It also does not include students in private schools. A small percentage of these students currently have access to assistive technology (AT). A far greater number would benefit from AT if it were made available to them.

In the past, the term “assistive technology” referred to a limited range of specialized, often expensive items that were designed to help students with relatively severe disabilities perform tasks that they could not otherwise do. In recent years, developments in technology have changed all that. Assistive technology now refers to a wide range of devices, software, apps, and services that are widely available at lower cost. Many items that you might not think of as AT, are. They can be as basic as a magnifying glass or as complex as a robot. They range from no-tech, do-it-yourself items to programmable software programs that can be readily customized by a teacher, therapist, or parent.

If an item allows a student with disabilities to perform a task that he or she could not do otherwise, it can be considered assistive technology. That makes it subject to the laws governing public education, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Whether you choose to teach in a public or private school, in a general or special education classroom, you will almost certainly have students in your class with a range of abilities and disabilities. Some of those students will have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), some will not. Both groups, however, will benefit greatly from your knowledge of assistive technology devices and services.

The materials in this module, will help you:

• Understand the basic concepts underlying the use of assistive technology
• Become familiar with the words and terms associated with AT
• Understand your role as a teacher in helping to identify and integrate the use of appropriate AT in your classroom
• Learn about the laws governing AT in public schools
• Participate as a knowledgeable professional in the IEP teams to which you will be assigned
• Become a role model, peer mentor, and school leader in the use of AT
• Change the lives of students with physical, sensory, cognitive, and emotional/behavioral disabilities

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY 101
AT makes it possible for children with disabilities to take part in life’s activities. It can strengthen developmental, functional, and learning skills. Get started on your AT journey by learning the basics.
DOWNLOAD THE PDF

VIDEOS FROM THE TEACHER PERSPECTIVE
CTD has created a series of videos that we believe will help strengthen your understanding of assistive technology. Each video focuses on AT use in the classroom and reflects the perspectives of teachers.
WATCH THE VIDEOS

AT & THE IEP TIPS FOR TEACHERS
As a teacher, your input is invaluable to the IEP process. These tips will help ensure that your observations about the performance, strengths, & challenges of the student are documented to help them succeed.
DOWNLOAD THE PDF

KEYRING OF ILLUSTRATED AT DEVICES
These keyrings can be used for training & peer support to begin exploring a wide range of AT tools. Examples range from low- to high-tech and span ages and types of support.
DOWNLOAD THE PDF

CTD WEBINARS FOR EDUCATORS
CTD webinars provide an excellent way to hear from AT experts who present at major conferences, who advise state and local education agencies, and who conduct in-service teacher training.
WATCH THE WEBINARS

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GLOSSARY
It is important to understand the “language” of AT to be an informed advocate for a child’s technology needs. Learn about the kinds of AT that are available and how they can be used.
DOWNLOAD THE PDF

Intro to Assistive Technology from the CTD

November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month and what better way to start the month than by sharing this short video from the CTD Institute. The video is moderated by Chris Bugaj, an Assistive Technology Specialist and author of the recent title The New Assistive Tech: Make Learning Awesome for All, who outlines basic topics and concepts for using assistive technology with students with disabilities. Students, teachers and other service professionals can benefit from this overview video.

Looking to learn more, be sure to read some previous Where It's AT posts focused on "What is AT..."

Webinar Wednesday: AT: What Is It and How to Use It

If your summer had you on the go and you missed out on the webinars from CTD's summer series, you're now in luck. CTD, Center for Technology and Disabilities, has shared some of their summer webinars, including the webinar being featured below with Elizabeth Barry and Tina Hanson from the PACER's Simon Technology center. Elizabeth and Tina describe the fundamentals of AT, and how to incorporate them into your student's or child's life to enhance learning and creativity. The original post and full transcript can be found through this link. Watch the webinar below and click on the link for the PDF handout of their presentation.

Source: CTD