Center on Technology and Disability launches new site!

The Center on Technology and Disability just announced the launch of the CTD Institute website. The site has a pleasing layout with sections on professional development (Learning Center), a weekly moderated chat (Cafe') and searchable resources on assistive and instructional technology (Library). Registering for an account is easy and allows access to the chats and learning center events. I'm looking forward to exploring it further.

ChromeAT presented by Mike Marotta, ATP

Here's another resource put together by Mike Marotta who demystifies apps and extensions for Reading, Writing, Math, Learning and Visual Impairments.  

Seriously Shiny Chrome presented by Ron Houtman, Educational Technology Consultant, Kent ISD

Ron presented this session at Kent ISD's AssisTechKnow conference on October 9th. Check out these tips, apps and extensions like Readability, Cruxlight and SpeakIT.  

New Chrome AT Toolbox 2.0 Beta

Back in March, I posted about the Chrome AT Toolbox, a searchable collection of free or low-cost apps & extensions. Well, now it's even better and easier to use! With V2, the database has been rewritten and anyone can write reviews to Chrome apps & extensions. New reviews are posted automatically and the database is searchable with filters for Tasks and Keywords. For example, you can search by the Task Organization, and by Keyword Bookmarking to narrow results. The editors are hoping to start fresh with new reviews, and if you disagree with a review, you can share your perspective.

Keep this valuable resource in mind when you're looking for ideas - I know I will! Thank you to John Calvert and Mark Surabian for creating it.

QIAT Resource Bank - UDL Apps!

Have you been to the QIAT Resource Bank lately?  I was looking for a document and ran across this beautiful Placement of Core Apps Serving Learning for All!  Each of the three separate sections, Representation, Expression and Engagement, list apps in categories by student area of difficulty: LD reading, LD writing, LD executive functioning, physical, visual, hearing and communication.

If you're looking for educational app, I'd start here!  Thank you to Barbara Welsford, M.Ed., ATP, ADE for putting this together!

This is just one example of the excellent resources on the QIAT Resource Bank.  Check it out at http://indicators.knowbility.org/resource-bank.html

Chrome Resources for Struggling Students

A big thank you to  Lynda S. Hartman, M.A., M.L.S., Assistive Technology Consultant for Northern Suburban Special Education District, Highland Park, Illinois.  Lynda has put together a Google Site dedicated to supporting struggling learners with Google Chrome.  Her categories include Accessibility, Reading Tasks, Writing Tasks and Executive Functioning Tasks.  New things are available in Chrome everyday, and will be added periodically.  Check out how Google Chrome can help you!

Chrome AT Toolbox

Google has many accessibility features built into the Chrome browser and many add-on Apps and Extensions.
What's the difference between an App and an Extension?  A web app is basically a website that runs within the browser and may not require any downloads.  Google Docs is an example of an app because it runs within the browser and doesn't require a download.  On the other hand, an extension affects something global on your browser.  Extensions are downloaded to modify your browser.
The Chrome Toolbox is a searchable collection of free or low cost apps and extensions that follow the user wherever there's an Internet connection.  The tools are attached to the user's profile and available when they're logged in to Chrome.  The collection focuses on alternative access and is searchable by specific task or disability profile.  Check it out!

mATch up Tool Helps Teachers Match Tools to Tasks

The Maryland Assistive Technology Network's mATch up Tool was mentioned during a webinar I attended today and the timing couldn't be better! This wonderful resource is perfect for IEP teams looking for tools during the AT consideration process. The categories are general but open to more specific tasks. Writing, for example, offers specific choices for Handwriting/Keyboarding, Prewriting/Notetaking, Mechanics/Spelling/Editing, and Composition. Choosing a task opens a list of products ranging from No/Low Tech to High Tech. Going a step further, you can choose a product to view a screen shot of it and where to purchase it. This is a great way for teams to build their knowledge about AT tools without doing a lot of research. Thank you Maryland AT Network for devising this great feature mATch up Tool!

Free Webinars on Accessible PDFs and more!

I recently found ADA Online Learning while researching information on accessible websites.  Several teachers have asked how to make PDF files accessible and here's two training opportunities to learn more.  

September 19th: Creating Accessible PDFs Part 1: Building Accessibility into Source Documents 

Session Objectives include how to apply styles and structure to Word and PowerPoint documents and how to set up accessibility options in PDF converters, such as Adobe Acrobat

November 21st: Advanced Accessible PDF Part 2: Tables, Forms and More!

ADA Online Learning has a wealth of archived webinars on the topic of accessibility, including how to use the website accessibility evaluation tool, WAVE at wave.webaim.org.  

Free Upcoming Webinars from AbleNet University!

• Universal Design in Your Preschool Classroom: August 15th
• Getting Your Classroom Ready for Students with Autsim: August 28th
• QIAT (Quality Indicators for AT with school focus) A four part series of webinars begins Sept. 18th

All webinars are FREE with amazing presenters like Joy Zabala and Penny Reed!

AbleNet University also has an impressive list of recorded, on-demand sessions including:

• Establishing and Maintaining Supports for AT
• Matching AT Supports to Service Needs
• Overview of Coaching Skills to Support AT Use
• Switch Access for the iPad

This is just a partial listing.  Click here for more upcoming webinars, or to register.

ATIA Spring 2013 Webinars

There's some great topics coming up, in fact today's webinar is about new approaches for AT services by Denise DeCoste. Other upcoming sessions include:

• iPads: What are the Possibilities for the Visually Impaired and Blind, April 9
• What's New? Top Apps for Individuals with Autism, April 16
• Sharpen Your Social Media Skills, May 2
• Written Productivity Profile Updates, May 15
• iPad and Writing: Apps for Reluctant Writers and Graphomotor issues

More are listed on the ATIA website for Fall 2013. Webinars cost $39 for one hour, $49 for 1.5 hours per participant. CEU's are offered.

Free AAC Photo Printables, and Much More!

Like British Columbia has SETBC (Special Education Technology BC), the United Kingdom has SENICT (Special Education Needs Information Communication Technology). And like SETBC, SENICT has put together a wealth of resources, many that are free. I just came across their general website of resources that anyone can submit entries to. In addition, they have a site for the SEN Teacher with tons of free printables, downloads and weblinks where you'll find free AAC Photo Cards, Math Activity Printables, Literacy Activities Printables and much more. What's better than FREE? We tried out the AAC Photo Cards and our Speech therapists had good reviews. Worth spending time at, but be warned, you could be there awhile!

Free/Low Cost Assistive Technology Resource

Keene State College, Office of Disability Services has developed a very user friendly web resource of free/low cost AT programs. Categories are Reading, Writing, Vision, Hearing, Fine Motor/Dexterity, Communication, Digital Text Support and Study Aids. It's well laid out and includes the platform compatibility. It also lists built-in accessibility tools for Windows and Mac as well as Web Browser Accessibility Extensions for both Firefox and Chrome.

Short Videos Demonstrate Enabling Devices Communicators, Switch Toys and more

Have you ever wondered what the Wiggly Giggly Ball does? Or the Laugh and Learn Puppy? Enabling Devices has a plethora of very short 1-2 minute videos that describe all the features of several communicators, mounting systems, switch activated toys and accessibility switches, and they're all in one place! Just click on the post title to be directed to the list of their videos. It really helps when making a choice for your student or child if you can see the toy in action, it's like having an interactive catalog!

Texthelp Read&Write Google Chrome App

Texthelp, the company that brings us Read&Write Gold, has developed a Google Chrome app, Read&Write, with some useful accessibility features for Google Docs. I've added it, and it is available whenever I use Google Docs. Words are highlighted during text to speech and there are settings for different voices, speed and continuous reading options.

As you can see in the first image, it has a picture/symbol dictionary too. Other neat AT features include a built in word dictionary with speech feedback, ability to collect highlighted sections, a vocabulary tool and the fact finder feature that automatically does a Google search of the selected word.

This app is free and currently only works with Google Docs, although they have another web app for Read&Write Gold license holders with full web accessibility.

Free Switch Accessible Activities to Play Online or Download

This is just one of the many categories of switch, mouse and touchscreen accessible activities you can download from Ian Bean's website. A while back I posted about Priory Woods, a school for children with special needs in the UK, and their free online switch activated videos. Well it turns out that Ian Bean, the fellow that wrote the Switch Progression Road Map (see earlier post) was a teacher and website developer there. He went on to work for Inclusive TLC and now provides training and consulting around the world. I've spent most of the morning on his Facebook page where Ian posts on a daily basis. You may also be interested in his free monthly newsletter.

Switch Progression Road Map - free download from Inclusive TLC

If you're working with a student that's using switches, this is a highly recommended read! The Switch Progression Road Map is a free download published by Inclusive TLC in 2011. Written by Ian Bean, this 60 page resource documents in detail every step of switch skills progression from cause & effect to confident scanning. I'm so glad I found it and can pass it along!

There's an app for that! But is it right for my student?

How many apps have you downloaded that you've only used once? An average of 26% of apps are only used once! With thousands of apps available for education alone, how can you sort through and find the right ones for your students? I just ran across this article that provides some great tips to help you decide if an app is appropriate before downloading or buying it. Besides the common sense tips like reading reviews and finding YouTube videos that show the app in action, here's some other thoughts to consider:

• Are additional in-app purchases necessary to make the app functional?
• Do advertising messages pop up during use?
• What privacy policies are connected to the app? Are you agreeing to share information with the developer?
• Before updating an app, check if the update is useful. Some updates remove important features that you may have depended on. 

There's plenty of sites that review apps and provide more on this topic. While writing this post I came across a Blog, Apps in Education, with a link to a Google doc that you can add to and re-share! It's a collaborative guide to what apps do what. Many thanks to all that have contributed!
 What apps do what ??? Collaborative classroom guide  - - -> PLEASE ADD YOUR IDEAS AND RE-SHARE!!

Free Webinars from AbleNet: Live AND Archived!

New webinars from AbleNet, plus view archived webinars for FREE!  Some of the topics are:

• Switch accessible visual scenes using the iPad
• Switch access to the iPad
• Using the TrackerPro with Predictable for Android (this session is also archived)

Plus check out all the archived webinars at AbleNet University.  There's several on assessing for switch use and switch placement.  Each webinar is 60 minutes and FREE!

Assessing Students' Needs for Assistive Technology from WATI

If you are new to the field of Assistive Technology or want to learn more, this is a must read!  Chapter one will guide you through the assessment process while the remaining chapters provide consideration questions for specific areas such as: communication, computer access, composing written material, math, reading, etc. You'll be well on your way to helping educational teams and students with the knowledge you'll gain from this one resource.  After 12 years in the field of AT, I'm so glad to re-connect with this site and will refer to it often as I'm sure you will too.