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.

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!

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 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!

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.

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

Upcoming Webinar on Multi-Tiered System of Supports

This session is very timely!  The presentation will share the work of The Multi-Tiered System of Supports Project at the University of South Florida.  This past summer they implemented the Technology & Learning Connections: AT & UDL Team (TLC Team). The team is responsible for the development of a Multi-Tiered Supports System Framework for technology that includes accessible instructional materials, assistive technology, instructional technology, UDL and virtual instruction/assessment.  For a complete listing of upcoming webinars and registration information, visit the ATIA website.

Audio Audio Audio!

THREE UPCOMING SESSIONS

1. Monday, 1/16 @ 3:15pm Register http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioJanuary162012REGISTRATION

2. Monday, 1/30 @ 3:15pm Register http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioJan302012REGISTRATION

3. Friday, 2/3 @ 3:15pm     Register http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioFeb32012REGISTRATION

Event Description: This session will cover everything from free tools for recording and manipulating audio in your classroom to converting digital text into mp3's, a little on podcasting, converting audio formats, creating audiobooks, and organizing all of your classroom Audio!

This session is hosted by PATINS Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstsruction for All Students

Upcoming Livescribe Webinars

Introductory 1 hour sessions for learning the basics:

• Configure the settings of a smartpen and check the status
• Identify the features and functions of a smartpen, headset, and dot paper
• Capture handwritten notes and record audio
• Play back audio using paper replay controls
• Use the Livescribe Desktop software to access, organize, and search notes
• Share educational applications of the Livescribe smartpen

Tue, Jan 17, 2012 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Tue, Feb 21, 2012 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Online Webinars from ATIA

Technology to Support Writing by Students with Learning and Academic Disabilities
Thursday 7/14 3:30 - 5:00


Access to Printed Information Using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Thursday 7/21 3:30 - 4:30 


PD 2.0!
Tuesday 8/2 3:30 - 4:30


Apps for the iPad, iTouch, & iPhone on Autism
Monday 8/15 3:30 - 5:00

MITS archived webinars

Two webinars have been archived: Freedom Stick Overview and iPod Touch/ iPad Overview.  Post title links to MITS site.

TeachTown webinars - click here to learn more

The TeachTown curriculum uses evidence-based best practices from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech and Language Pathology therapy, and developmental psychology to teach a wide range of meaningful skills in six key learning domains:

• Language Development
• Adaptive Skills
• Social and Emotional Skills
• Cognitive Skills
• Language Arts
• Mathematics

The computer aided instructional program delivers engaging computer lessons connected to motivational off computer activities for students who are developmentally aged 2 to 7 years old.  Research supporting the TeachTown curriculum was funded by grants from the National Center for Technology Innovation of the U.S. Department of Education. 

ATIA 2011 Webinar Series

ATIA has new discounts for multiple registrations & IACET CEU's are included in price.
Some topics are: Activity Based Learning Using Core Vocab (AAC systems; Supporting AT Teams: Projects for Building Local Capacity; Apps for iPad, iTouch (several webinars)

Great AAC webinar Tomorrow!!

Join Tobii ATI for a Webinar on December 8
How do you successfully include children with a variety of skill levels, working with a variety of AAC solutions, all in one classroom? This webinar will provide some concrete ideas and solutions for a preschool setting, elementary school setting, high school setting, and life skills setting. Suggestions for data tracking will also be provided.
Reserve your Webinar seat by clicking on post title.

Schedule of all upcoming MITS events

Click on post title to link to the full schedule. Individual events are also on our Google calendar with a link to session details.