Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology Workshops

• Assistive and Universal Design Technologies Achieving Educational Success for All

  Achieving educational success for students who experience a disability is a team effort. During times of economic challenges, a great opportunity exists for innovative and creative thinking in order to obtain needed solutions. This professional development series focuses on the development and implementation of quick and cost effective assistive technology solutions as well as embracing universally design technology to support all students.

• Technology Tools for Student Access and Success

  This workshop will address the academic and communication needs of struggling students continuing on to higher education with tools that will enable them to be successful. Tools include scan and read programs to provide access to written text; tools for electronic note taking, brainstorming, and writing; research tools for online note taking; free word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet programs; online tools for scheduling and assignment organization; collaboration tools, and more.

• Becoming an Assistive Technology MacGyver or MacGyvette

  Learn how to fabricate assistive technology solutions in minutes, just like MacGyver from the TV show MacGyver. What if you only have five minutes to make a difference in someone's life and you had all the tools and materials in the trunk of your car? Just think of the possibilities! The purpose of this workshop is to provide you with hands-on training using 42 different tools and materials for constructing solutions in minutes using various plastics, adhesives, fasteners, tools for cutting and bending, and foam material. Each participant will receive their very own MacGyver Tools and Materials Kit (a 42-piece tool kit valued at $125) to take home and create hundreds of solutions on the fly, as well as a copy of Dr. Willkomm's Book "Make a Difference Today - Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes."

• IntelliTools Level I: Introduction to Classroom Suite 4

  The new IntelliTools Classroom Suite 4 is incredibly quick and easy to use. New, customized templates allow you to create learning and assessment activities in minutes for reading, writing, and math. The program provides students with direct explicit instruction, constructive practice, and embedded assessments, allowing teachers to gauge progress and individualize instruction for their students. In this hands-on session, participants will learn how to use Classroom Suite 4 to teach early concepts, reading, writing, and math to all students. Learn how to access the IntelliTools Activity Exchange's over 3,000 activities, as well as import activities created in Classroom Suite 3. The day will cover all the basics from using templates, creating classes and students, assigning activities, accessing student reporting features as well as utilizing all the accessibility features in the program from switch access, to alternate access with the IntelliKeys keyboard.

• Building and Using an Assistive Technology Transformer Kit for Solving Everyday Challenges in the Classroom

  Each participant will make their very own assistive technology transformer kit that can be used to solve everyday challenges in minutes. This transformer kit includes various PVC components, tubing, flagpole holders, a PVC cutter, dual lock, and Tommy tape. In addition, each participant will use the components and fabricate at least 15 different assistive technology solutions.

• lliTools Level II: Next Steps with Classroom Suite 4

  This intermediate, hands-on session will take you beyond the basics of using Classroom Suite 4. Learn how to download and customize activities from the IntelliTools Activity Exchange, as well as create your own activities from scratch using the blank Paint, Design, Writing, and Math Creativity Tools files. Utilize new tools and actions for creating or editing, including working with Scriptable Bins, Arrays, Number Lines, Sorting Bins, and more.

• There's an App for That! Mobile Applications to Increase Independence

  This workshop will demonstrate dozens of the latest applications (apps) for use on mobile devices, online, and on the go to support individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. Several apps for the Apple and Android mobile devices like iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and the Motorola Droid will be demonstrated. Participants will also learn how to install and run portable apps on a USB drive for use on any computer, as well as how to access web-based apps online. Apple devices will be available for hands-on experience.

• Assistive Technology for Older Adults

  This hands-on, interactive workshop will demonstrate over 70 easy-to-make, low-tech assistive technology solutions made from readily available, inexpensive materials that enable individuals to "age in place" and remain independent and active at home and in their communities. The solutions include memory aids, back saving solutions, mobility aids, home modification ideas, solutions for low vision or hearing loss, and solutions for arthritis.

• Creating Interactive Computer Activities with Boardmaker Plus! v.6

  Turn your students' day into one of engagement and interaction, all within an accessible environment supporting communication. Participants who are new to Boardmaker Plus! v.6 or have upgraded from Boardmaker 5 will learn the basics of how to: create customized boards for print and interactive boards with sounds, prompts, and feedback; capture student responses in a report; search, download, and import free online activities that you can modify with your own content; create interactive books and writing activities; and much more! A CD of sample activities and handouts will be provided

• Beyond Duct Tape and Velcro - 101 AT Solutions YOU Can Make Using Everyday Materials

  What if you only had five minutes to make a solution for someone and had the basic tools and materials in the trunk of your car? Just think of the possibilities! This hands-on workshop uses 42 different tools and materials for fabricating hundreds of AT solutions in minutes without the use of electricity. Each participant will use a "MacGyver AT Kit" of assorted tools and materials and will fabricate five assistive technology solutions. In addition, each participant will receive a switch-making kit, a "Mini MacGyver AT Tape Kit"containing 10 specialty tapes, an AT transformer kit that includes 14 PVC pieces for fabricating 15 different AT solutions, and a copy of the book Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes containing over 600 examples.

• Universally Designed Technology to Support Reading, Writing, and Communication in the General Education Classroom

  Today there are hundreds of technology devices and software that benefit all diverse learners. This workshop will demonstrate the top 10 iPad applications that support reading, writing, and communication; the Livescribe Pen; and software that makes reading and writing easier for all. In addition, an assortment of 25 other devices, tips, and tricks will also be shared.

• Developing and Supporting Meaningful Careers for Individuals with Disabilities

  During the morning session, participants will learn strategies to create an array of natural employment supports to increase individuals' success on the job. This approach features workplace culture analysis, combined with creative utilization of employers' own existing resources, to reduce the need for continual on-site presence of employment support staff.

• Foundations in Transition

  This hands-on, interactive workshop will provide examples of how assistive technology can be used to assist students transitioning from school to work, to post-secondary education, or to community living. Examples will include devices to increase independence and productivity, and effective use of electronic memory and prompting devices. Assistive technology transition planning tools will also be shared.

• Making, Modifying, and Mounting Switches

  Our lives revolve around using switches. Turning lights on, alarm clocks off, making coffee, and operating our cars, cell phones, TVs, and computers involve hundreds-?if not thousands?of switch hits each day. Yet for individuals who experience a physical disability, operating these essential appliances can be extremely difficult if not impossible. This hands-on interactive workshop teaches participants the basics of switch making, how to modify a switch, and effective switch mounting techniques that enable individuals who experience disabilities to participate in all life activities.

• Creating A Low Cost Interactive White Board Using a Nintendo Wii-Mote

  Many schools already have an LCD projector and a computer. This workshop will show participants how to use this equipment, along with a Nintendo Wii-mote, to create an interactive white board that can be projected on top of a table or wall to enable all students to participate in interactive computer software and internet activities. Participants will receive a Wii-mote and free software, and will fabricate a stand for their LCD projector. Participants must bring a Bluetooth-enabled computer (or a Bluetooth adapter) and an LCD projector. Participants will fabricate an LCD stand and an infrared marker. Participants will also learn creative ways to make the white board accessible for individuals with physical, communication, or vision impairments.
  Limit: 8 teams

• Jammin’ with Dave and Dan – Adaptive Music for All

  Learn how to select and adapt music so that all individuals, including people with disabilities, can actively engage in creating, learning, and enjoying music.

• It’s Summer, Let’s Play! Using Play to Increase Augmentative and Alternative Communication Success

  Play is an integral part of living life to its fullest. Learn how to creatively integrate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices into play activities.