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.

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.

Tobii YouTube Channel Provides Easy Access to Training

I just had a call from our Tobii rep who shared some new training information - a YouTube channel with short videos covering anything from taking a new device out of the box to using eye gaze technology. The Tobii website also has new videos on their Training page, and Webinars are listed under News & Events. Of interest is an upcoming live webinar, September 24th titled "Help! I have an eye-control system in my classroom: A beginning guide to eye control access in the classroom."  Check out these easy to use tools!

Bookshare YouTube Channel!

If you're looking for a quick, easy tutorial for creating an individual account or using Bookshare's new Web Reader, check out Bookshare's YouTube channel. Videos are two - three minutes long and show step by step instructions. Just re-watch them anytime for a refresher! The link will also be added to the Bookshare section of our Blog.

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.  

Parent Empowerment Conference in Marquette!

A free conference open to parents, students, caregivers, support parents, foster parents, community agencies and others who serve families of children with disabilities.  

Topics to be discussed will cover Parent Empowerment through the Lifespan of Children with Disabilities.

Sessions include: 0-5 Early Interventions, Transition to Adulthood, Surrogate Parenting Services, Parent Involvement, Understanding Your Rights and much more!

SBCEU's are available and lunch is provided!  Registration materials available August 17, 2013

Click here to download flier

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.

Upper Peninsula MACUL Conference in Houghton!

Mark your calendars for this year's U.P. MACUL conference on Friday, April 26th in Houghton! MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) has hosted a U.P. conference for many years - it's affordable ($49) and close to most of the Region. The Call for Speakers deadline is April 12th and registration closes April 19th. Topics include:

• Google Apps in Education
• 21 Things for Students
• The Great Things You can do with Google Chrome
• 20 Minute PD for Busy Teachers
• iTunesU - Learn Anything, Anywhere, Anytime

This is just a sampling - click the post title for more information. See you there!

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.

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!

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.

August ATIA Webinars focus on Challenges of using Apps as AT

There are so many good options here that it was hard to pick which one to attend.  I'd really like to attend the one on August 14th on the Challenges to Using Apps as Assistive Technology but I may be on vacation. It looks like it will address a lot of the issues we're dealing with.  The post title links to all upcoming webinars.  Other topics include: Technology to Organize and Capture What You Learn and Emerging Professional Development Trends for Assistive Technology.

Free AbleNet Webinars in August!

AbleNet has announced their upcoming online professional development sessions and they're FREE!  For those of us that don't have funding to attend conferences, these 1-hour sessions are essential.  I just signed up for two on switch assessment and switch mounting.  As an added bonus, AbleNet will provide a 10% coupon for future orders after completing a webinar.  

Certification in Mobile Device use in Education

Now there's a certification program to ensure that educators are prepared to effectively implement mobile devices like, iPads, with students with disabilities.  Courses start in August - some are free, most have a fee, and these may be eligible for CEU's.  The first two courses are free - they are:

• What's New with the IOS 5 Webinar August 29, 2012 (GMT -5)
  August 29, 2012 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm @ Central Time Zone USA- Free online webinar
• Fishing for Apps Webinar August 30, 2012(GMT -5)
  August 30, 2012 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm @ Central Time Zone USA- Free online webinar

The post title will re-direct to the Bridging Apps site.

Awesome video highlighting the Eastern UP ISD LINKS Program

In the words of a colleague, "pure awesomeness"!! A must watch video!
The Michigan Statewide Autism Resources & Training program, otherwise known as START, has helped school districts, like the EUP ISD, develop a LINKS program.  The LINKS program is a peer modeling/peer mentoring system that "links" general education students with students with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).  The "LINKS" model typical academic and social behavior and provide support for students with ASD throughout the school day. 
For more information, and access to Autism Internet Modules (AIM), visit the START site, or Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI).  OCALI has also created numerous modules on Assistive Technology or ATIM (Assistive Technology Internet Modules).  

MITS/REMC Annual Conference June 18-20

Topics Include: iPad Sessions, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Assistive Technology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Technology to Support Struggling Students AND MANY OTHERS!!
Cost:   $25 Students and Parents of Student(s) with Disabilities
$100 Educators (before $50 scholarship)
Scholarship Link: MITS/REMC Blended Learning Scholarship Application (http://goo.gl/KOjhS)

MACUL in Munising!

MACUL comes to Munising again this year for the annual U.P. Educational Technology and Business Conference!  Friday, May 4th at Munising High School and registration of $45 covers both breakfast and lunch.  Keynote speaker will be Paul Galbenski, Michigan Teacher of the Year.  Some of the sessions include:

• 21 Things 4 Students
• Google Docs for All
• Research and the iPad
• The Magic of Livescribe Pens for Students and Teachers

Several vendors will be on hand too.  Hope to see you there!

Online Webinars from AbleNet

AbleNet is hosting webinars on a variety of Curriculum and Assistive Technology topics.  Upcoming topics include: 

• Accessible iPod for Music and Audio Books in the Classroom - April 10th
• Switch Access to the iPad for Communication - April 17th

Archived webinars by Kelly Fonner, Elizabeth Rush and others are available anytime.

Protocol for Accommodations in Reading

Are you confused about the different kinds of reading accommodations and how to choose the right one?  This protocol provides a repeatable, systematic assessment process that helps you through the process. The protocol guides you in collecting data on a variety of reading accommodations.  It provides reading samples, vocabulary questions, and comprehension quizzes for each grade level 3rd - 10th.  For more information, participate in a live webinar:
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
 — 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CDT 
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 — 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
 — 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT