Texas Assistive Technology Network Regional Conference 2007 Blog

Kelly Fonner, “Lessons Learned: Integrating AAC into the Classroom”

txatconference — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:38:11 +0000

How to integrate Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices into the curriculum can be a daunting task to teachers and teams who aren’t familiar with this technology. Kelly Fonner presented 8 lessons that she has learned over the years, to assist teachers and teams in the integration process. Click on the link below to listen to an interview in which Kelly shares simple practical advice for integrating AAC technology into the classroom.

If you’d like more information, or would like to contact Kelly, her website is: http://www.kellyfonner.com

Kelly Fonner’s Interview

13:26 Minutes, 12.3 MB

Scott Marfilius, “Technology Supports for Struggling Writers”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:14:48 +0000

Scott Marfilius digs into the area of writing, breaking it down into its component pieces and helping teachers to examine exactly where their students are struggling. They then examined which technology tools might support the writing strategies that could be put into place.

This presentation was based on the new TATN training module that was developed this past year.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Scott Marfilius Interview

13:20 minutes, 12.2 MB

Therese Willkomm, “Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes – Beyond Duct Tape and Velcro”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:03:24 +0000

Therese Willkomm presented and all-day, hands-on lab that introduced many of the participants to tools and materials that would allow them to create basic modifications that could really impact their student’s lives.

Each participant made a business card switch, created a battery-device adapter, scored, snapped, and bent acrylic, and learned about materials that are readily available at the local hardware store.

Therese has a book that is available for purchase, entitled, “Make a Difference Today: Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes.” It’s available for $35, and can be purchased by visiting http://www.nhassistivetechnology.org or clicking this link.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Therese Willkomm Interview

13:20 minutes, 12.2 MB

Eileen Garza, “Home Sweet Home: AT Solutions for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 02:22:41 +0000

I’ll admit it. I’m the first one to fall for a gadget or gizmo that beeps, whirrs, or is just the latest and greatest in state-of-the-art electronics. (I said fall for, not necessarily purchase – that stuff’s expensive!)

However, Eileen Garza’s presentation reminds us that there is a lot of items that we can use with our students on the Autism Spectrum that we may already have at home, or are simple, inexpensive, readily-available products.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Eileen Garza Interview

8:02 Minutes, 7.36 MB

Erika Andersen, “Applying the Low Vision Prescription to the Classroom Environment”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:39:23 +0000

Randall Jose and Erika Andersen, from the University of Houston, School of Optometry, shared information about Project DOVES low vision rehabilitation service by Region 4 and the Center for Sight Enhancement. In addition, we discussed teaching strategies for students with low vision, in addition to the use of assistive technologies.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Erika Andersen Interview

7:50 Minutes, 7.17 MB

Bonnie Hill, “The Shift: Learning on the Web for Students with Reading Challenges”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:22:42 +0000

Did you know that WYNN would allow you to surf the ‘net, read a webpage aloud, and allow you to highlight and mask passages? How about editing the text you find on the web? Bonnie Hill and Pauline Anacki, from Freedom Scientific/Learning Systems Group shared those topics and much more during their presentation.

For more information about WYNN, visit the Freedom Scientific/Learning Systems Group website by clicking here.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Bonnie Hill Interview

6:04 Minutes, 5.55 MB

Susan Zapf, “Creating a Functional Creative Writing Class for High School Life Skills Classes”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:06:19 +0000

Sue Zapf and her co-presenter, Nicole Alexander, shared how they are implementing a creative writing program in their life skills classroom. It is a multidisciplinary approach, as Sue is the Occupational Therapist for the classroom and Nicole is the classroom teacher.

Creative writing provides a means of expression for their students and they have had some wonderful results.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Sue Zapf Interview

6:17 Minutes, 5.75 MB

Catherine Wyatt, “An Introduction to Eating and Drinking Technologies”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:58:58 +0000

Catherine Wyatt from Mealtime Partners, Inc., presented some amazing technology that will allow a user with limited mobility to eat using 1-, 2-, or no switches at all! This innovative solution provides independence for anyone with a physical disability.

For more information, you can visit the Mealtime Partners website by clicking here, or calling 817-237-9991.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Catherine Wyatt Interview

6:12 Minutes, 5.68 MB

Cecilia Robinson, “NIMAS in Texas”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:41:45 +0000

The implementation of NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard), looks a little bit different, depending upon which State you happen to be in. Cecilia Robinson, an Education Specialist with Region 4, discusses how NIMAS is being implemented in Texas.

If you’d like to learn more about what NIMAS is and where it stands today, please visit the links below to listen to the interviews with Skip Stahl.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Cecilia Robinson Interview

4:42 Minutes, 4.30 MB

Kate May, “The PRC Journey Through a Consumer Perspective”

txatconference — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:18:21 +0000

Kate May is not only an Assistive Technology Teaching Assistant (click here to listen to her interview from the TATN 2006 Conference), but also Prentke-Romich’s representative at the TATN 2007 Regional Conference. Kate has a broad expertise in Augmentative Communication, working with many different devices and has a unique perspective on AAC use.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Kate May’s Interview

4:05 minutes, 3.75 MB

Lynn Guthrie, “Make it Happen with Writing with Symbols 2000”

txatconference — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 23:05:21 +0000

Writing with Symbols 2000 (WWS2000) is a powerful talking word-processor with PCS symbol support. Lynn Guthrie presented a 2-block, hands-on presentation about WWS2000 that showed that it offers all of those features, plus the capability of adding word banks, grids, and creating environments.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Lynn Guthrie Interview

6:23 minutes, 5.85 MB

Hindie Dershowitz and Joyce Waggoner, “Blank Stares of I.E.P. Team Members When Considering Assistive Technology”

txatconference — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 22:24:00 +0000

This podcast interview is actually a 2-for-1! Hindie Dershowitz was kind enough to sit down and discuss her two TATN Conference presentations. The first, “Blank Stares of IEP Team Members…” was co-presented with Joyce Waggoner and focuses on providing training and resources to IEP teams so that they can make educated, informed decisions about AT Consideration.

Hindie’s second presentation centered around Microsoft PhotoStory, which allows her to create training materials that can be used by any staff member in her district. It is a free download for PCs, and can be found at the Microsoft website.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Hindie Dershowitz Interview

8:02 Minutes, 7.36 MB

Jim Durkel, “AT from APH”

txatconference — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 22:10:49 +0000

Jim Durkel, from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, shares some of the newest assistive technologies for persons with visual impairments. To learn more about the items that Jim discusses, please visit the American Printing House for the Blind website by clicking here.

Special Note for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments:

Each year, your students are generating quota funds that can be used to purchase Assistive Technologies. Be sure to listen to Jim discuss this process and how you can utilize these funds! You can also find more information by visiting the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired‘s website.

Jim can be reached via email at: jimdurkel@tsbvi.edu

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Jim Durkel AT from APH Interview

9:10 Minutes, 8.40 MB

Jim Durkel, “Supporting Science Education for Students with Visual Impairments”

txatconference — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:48:07 +0000

Welcome to the second of Jim Durkel’s two presentations at the TATN Regional Conference. In this interview, Jim shares ideas and resources for students with visual impairments in the science class. Initially, science may seem like a very visual subject. However, Jim shares that scientific observation uses sight, as well as all of the other senses to learn about our world.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Jim Durkel’s Science Interview

7:03 Minutes, 6.45 MB