A Teacher's View of Assistive Technology

In this 15-minute video, published by the CTD Institute, teachers of students with a range of learning needs discuss the ways in which assistive technology can help. The teachers featured in the video provide examples of low to high-tech tools that are easily integrated into a classroom environment.

Webinar Wednesday: Feature Match...What's That?

DATE:

October 04, 2018, 12:00 pm CST - 60-minutes

TITLE:

Feature Match… What’s That?

DESCRIPTION:

As a key component of an Assistive Technology Assessment, Feature Match, is often misunderstood, misused, or missed completely in the process of a consumer receiving an unbiased and full-scoping AT evaluation. Often consumers are met with AT tool recommendations based upon the knowledge base of their local assessor, rather than the consumers own full range of abilities and needs being matched to the features that are available throughout a wide range of products that are available throughout the marketplace. AT and Rehabilitation Technology providers do not always need to know ALL of the products that are available, but they do need to know how to do a proper Feature Match process and how to search for products beyond their immediate toolbox. Join Kirk and Kelly to explore these options and receive a full set of feature match charts that are composed to range a wide variety of AT areas.

COST:

FREE

PRESENTERs:

KIRK BEHNKE

 & 

KELLY FONNER

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

About the presenters

Kelly Fonner, MS

Kelly Fonner, MS is a self-employed consultant and trainer in assistive and educational technology. She has a BS in Special Education from Millersville University & an MS in Educational Technology with emphasis in Rehabilitation/Special Education Technology from The Johns Hopkins University. Her continuing education & research is in the area of Adult Education & Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She holds an Assistive Technology Applications Certificate of Learning from California State University - Northridge. Kelly has been a teacher, para-educator, instructional media specialist, assistive technology specialist in early education, school & university settings. She has worked for a statewide AT project & has been an instructor in university courses.

Kirk Behke, M.Ed., ATP

Kirk was the Director of Technical Assistance for the National Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Center at CAST where he supported the delivery of universal, targeted & intensive technical assistance & learning opportunities regarding accessible educational materials & accessible technologies. He has presented internationally on AT, Web Tools & UDL for over 25 yrs. His passion is helping to facilitate excellence in learning for all, whether in a classroom, lecture hall or presentation room. His greatest accomplishment was developing & implementing the “AT Applications Certificate Program (ATACP)” at CA State U, Northridge (CSUN). He holds a Master’s from Temple University in Education/Special Education, a credential as an AT Professional from the Rehabilitation & Engineering Society of North America (RESNA) & a Certificate in AT Applications from the University College of Dublin, Ireland. He was the former Lead for the Texas AT Network at Region 4 ESC.

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