Building Bridges 2014: Full Schedule

Grant Wood Area Education Agency and the University of Iowa Center for Assistive Technology Education & Research Presents:
The “Building Bridges: Eastern Iowa Assistive Technology Conference” will provide an opportunity to see first hand the latest in assistive technologies (AT), practices, and services for school-age students with disabilities. This AT conference will serve as a unique opportunity for professionals, parents, administrators and service providers to exchange and gather information on the current status and assistive technology tools available for consideration.

LINK TO CONFERENCE WEBSITE
LINK TO CONFERENCE RESOURCES

8:00am CDT

Registration

Tuesday April 22, 2014 8:00am - 8:30am CDT
Ballroom

8:30am CDT

Educational Reform Roller Coaster: Exhilarating or Confusing?

We know we are in the mist of the educational reform ride but we aren’t’ quite sure where it will go. Will we feel exhilarated and refreshed or confused and queasy? Our students with disabilities continue to show us high dropout rates and behavior problems. Obviously, their current ride is leaving them quite queasy. How can we shift this for our students and finish the ride feeling refreshed ourselves? The Common Core is the name of this ride. What does it look like for instruction and assessment? How can we look back years from now feeling exhilarated and saying “that was the best ride ever!”

Speakers

Ruth Ziolkowski

President, Don Johnston Incorporated

Ruth Ziolkowski has "grown up" in the field of Special Education starting as an OT and evolving into her role as President of the leading AT company in Literacy. She not only leads her company but also is a thought leader driving the future of AT services and devices. She has been... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Ballroom

Keynote, Administrators, Elementary, Post-Secondary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

9:30am CDT

Assistive Technology Preferences and Independence of a Student With Autism

In this assessment, an alternating treatment, single-case design was implemented with one student diagnosed with ASD using two differing visual schedule modalities (a teacher-made picture schedule and a visual scheduling app for the iPad) in order to complete a functional work task. Findings supported a preference for and higher rates of independence of the task using the iPad app. Features of this app will be highlighted and demonstrated for use with students diagnosed with ASD.

Speakers

Jennifer Andersen

Doctoral Student, School Psychology, Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, University of Iowa ICATER Graduate Assi

Jennifer Andersen is a fourth year doctoral student in School Psychology. Her research interests include assistive technology, behavioral assessment and intervention, as well as special interests in the populations of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit... Read More →

Kiersten Hensley

Graduate Assistant, ICATER

Kiersten Hensley is a PhD student in the area of Special Education, with previous experience as a special education teacher at the elementary and secondary levels, and as an IEP and instruction consultant for the Iowa Department of Education.

Jim Stachowiak

Director of Assistive Technology, AccessibleNU, Northwestern University

As Director of Assistive Technology and Assistant Director of AccessibleNU, Jim assists students with determining, using, and troubleshooting assistive technology (AT) solutions for reading, writing, computer access, note taking, organization, and other academic needs. He enjoys keeping... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Michigan

Autism, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

9:30am CDT

REMOTE SESSION - UDL: What We Can Do Now and Where We Are Going

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) holds promise for meeting a variety of student learning needs. This presentation will focus on understanding where we are in in the journey of realizing UDL and what we can do at this stage in the process to actualize UDL in today's classrooms. Strategies and tools (including a variety of technologies) will be shared as means to proactively design learning environments that bring the principles, practices & promise of UDL to life within school environments.

Speakers

Kathy Howery

Kathy Howery, Doctoral Candidate, University of Alberta

Brian Wojcik

Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Dr. Wojcik currently works as an Assistant Professor at University of Nebraska at Kearney and has worked as the Coordinator of the Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT) Center at Illinois State University. As an educator, Brian has been integrating technology to meet the needs... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Illinois

General, Administrators, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Post-Secondary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

9:30am CDT

Accessible Google Apps

Google Apps offer some great benefits: collaboration of ideas, sharing of content, importing and converting files, storing and sharing non-Google files and more. Google Apps seems to have been designed to fit the needs of the ‘average’ student. Third party developers are stepping up, providing access solutions, supporting students with additional needs. This session explores some of those solutions, with an emphasis on supporting reading and writing.

Speakers

Clair Judas

Special Education Technology Specialist, Area Education Agency 267

Clair Judas works for AEA 267 in Cedar Falls, IA. For 19 years, Clair taught students with special needs. Since the 2000-2001 school year he has worked as a Special Education Technology Specialist, supporting students and teachers in both the general and special education settings... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Penn State

Learning Disabilities, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Administrators, Post-Secondary

9:30am CDT

Getting to the CORE of Writing

Common Core is here and writing skills appear in many aspects of the Smarter Balanced Assessments. The SETT process informs us that before we consider Technology we need to understand the Student, Environment and the Task. We will look at the Writing Tasks as defined in the Common Core as well as how these standards will be assessed. From there we can use data-driven decision making for assistive technology, look at critical features of AT to help support students in writing and finally understand the Accommodations needed for students both instructionally as well as on the standardized assessments.

Speakers

Ruth Ziolkowski

President, Don Johnston Incorporated

Tuesday April 22, 2014 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Ballroom

Learning Disabilities, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Administrators

9:30am CDT

Eye Gaze Technology in Children

This session will focus on the utilization of eye gaze technology in early childhood and elementary age children with significant motor impairments. Options for enhancing communication rate, vocabulary use, and methods for expanding language complexity will be explored. Page sets for communication and literacy development in beginning and more advanced users will be shared.

Speakers

Laura Bohnenkamp

Speech-Language Pathologist, University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development

Laura Bohnenkamp is a speech-language pathologist at the Center for Disabilities and Development in Iowa City. She received her MA in speech-language pathology from the University of Iowa. Laura completed the Leadership in Education for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Ohio State

Significant Disabilities, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

9:30am CDT

The CDD Make & Take Station Promoting the Use of Visual Supports

CDD would like to announce the opening of a Make & Take lab! This lab would be available to teachers and SLPs alike. The goal is to empower our families with the needed guidance and tools so that they can fabricate the necessary communication and/or consequence boards, schedules, social stories, and adapted books on the same day as their clinic visit.

Speakers

Debora A. Downey

AAC Service Faciilitator, The Center for Disabilities and Development

Debora is the facilitator of the AAC Service at Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She has extensive experience in teaching and has been a frequent presenter on the topic of AAC at national conferences as well as published in a variety... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Nebraska

Significant Disabilities, Administrators, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Post-Secondary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

10:40am CDT

Enhancing Student Experience With Accessible Technologies

This presentation details ways in which modern technologies improve the daily life skills and educational pursuits of students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Using the UI REACH Program as a model, presenters will identify how other programs can incorporate cell phones, email, and tablets to improve students’ educational experiences.

Speakers

Katelyn Neil

University of Iowa, REACH Student Life Specialist

Kelly Nobles

Derek Rodgers

Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Iowa

Derek Rodgers is a clinical assistant professor of special education. His work focuses on promoting and improving the literacy skills of students with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also serves as the methodologist for the Scanlan... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 10:40am - 11:40am CDT
Northwestern

General

10:40am CDT

Rejuvenating the IEP Meeting

This presentation will showcase perspectives from a parent and student on an effective IEP meeting. Showcased will be an IEP structure, assistive technology, videos, goal setting, and involvement. Everyone will find something new to implement in the IEP meeting.

Speakers

Abby Krsek

High School Senior, Linn-Mar Community School District

Tricia Krsek

Vice-President, Iowa Branch of IDA

Parent/Advocate for children with dyslexia. Volunteer on the Grant Wood AEA Transition Team Linn-Mar Special Education Advisory Committee IRRC/ISRP Vetting Group

Tuesday April 22, 2014 10:40am - 11:40am CDT
Michigan

General, Administrators, Post-Secondary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities

10:40am CDT

Can You Hear Me Now? Google Voice and Other Ways for Speech to Text and Text to Speech with Google

Google Voice is more than just a phone number. Come learn how to set up this classroom phone number and then how you can use it as a communication tool, but to collect audio files and support student learning. Students are not always the most speedy typers for one, but how can we help students make some accommodations using speech to text and text to speech features within Google Apps? Come learn!

Speakers

Stacy Behmer

Coordinator of Digital Learning/Media Services, Grant Wood AEA

Stacy is a former elementary and middle school teacher and also spent some time as a district technology director. She is currently the Coordinator of Digital Learning & Media Services at Grant Wood AEA in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she works with a team of digital learning consultants... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 10:40am - 11:40am CDT
Minnesota

Learning Disabilities, Administrators, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities

10:40am CDT

Free and Easy Online Formative Assessment Tools to Engage Students

During this session, we will review and engage in a variety of formative assessment tools teachers can use to engage their students on a laptop, Chromebook, or mobile device. We will begin with a few tools that are great for a quick “check”, then progress to tools that are a little more complex. Tools featured: TodaysMeet, Mentimeter, InfuseLearning, and Kahoot.

Speakers

Tony Amsler

Education Account Manager, Infrastructure Technology Solutions

Tuesday April 22, 2014 10:40am - 11:40am CDT
Illinois

Learning Disabilities, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Administrators, Post-Secondary

10:40am CDT

Testing Accommodations

Informtaion regarding ACT,Inc testing accomodations applications

Speakers

Jennifer Cira

ACT Testing, Senior Consultant- MA, LMHC

Jennifer Cira- is a Senior Consultant for ACT, Inc. Prior to her joining ACT,Inc, Jennifer was the Director of Parent Education Consortium and Play and Learn of East Central Iowa.

Tuesday April 22, 2014 10:40am - 11:40am CDT
Penn State

Learning Disabilities, Testing Accommodations

10:40am CDT

Get Connected: Web Resources for Teachers of Students with Significant Disabilities

Speakers

Julie Freed

SLP/AAC Resource Team Need, Grant Wood AEA

Julie Freed is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has extensive background in the field of augmentative communication and assistive technology supporting students with a wide range of needs for the past 30 years. Currently... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 10:40am - 11:40am CDT
Nebraska

Significant Disabilities, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

10:40am CDT

Including Students with Significant Disabilities in Big Paper Writing

In this presentation, participants will learn about a child-constructed, socially rich writing activity called Big Paper. Specifically they will learn how this evidence-based writing activity supports (and exposes) composition development in children as well as creates opportunities for communication and student interaction. Suggestions for assisting students with physical (alternative pencil) and communication access will be shared.

Speakers

Evette Edmister

Associate Professor, University of Northern Iowa

Evette Edmister is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Her research interests focus on augmentative and alternative communication and literacy. She is very interested in understanding and supporting... Read More →

Amy Staples

Associate Professor, Special Education, University of Northern Iowa, University of Northern Iowa

Amy Staples is a Co-Director of the Center for Disability Studies in Literacy, Language, and Learning at the University of Northern Iowa. She has been engaged in professional development and research projects focused on expanding the capacity of educators to provide comprehensive... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 10:40am - 11:40am CDT
Ohio State

Significant Disabilities, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

10:40am CDT

Overview of Assistive Technology Services for students who are Blind and Visually Impaired in Iowa

In this session, an overview of assistive technology services for students who are blind and visually impaired in Iowa will be provided. As time, examples of specific assistive technology for students who are blind or have low vision will be demonstrated.

Speakers

Todd Frank

Teacher of the Visually Impaired Iowa Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Todd Frank work with Iowa Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired to provide consultation and instruction to students, families, and Teachers of the Visually Impaired. Rosa and Todd believe that current and future progress in assistive technology has amazing potential... Read More →

Rosa Mauer

Assistive Technology Consultant Iowa Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Rosa Mauer work with Iowa Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired to provide consultation and instruction to students, families, and Teachers of the Visually Impaired. Rosa and Todd believe that current and future progress in assistive technology has amazing potential... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 10:40am - 11:40am CDT
Indiana

Significant Disabilities, This session will be general in nature and appropriate for a variety of service providers.

11:40am CDT

BALLROOM: Lunch & Announcements

Join us for a delicious box lunch followed by some important announcments in the Ballroom!

Moderators

Julie Freed

SLP/AAC Resource Team Need, Grant Wood AEA

Jim Stachowiak

Director of Assistive Technology, AccessibleNU, Northwestern University

Tuesday April 22, 2014 11:40am - 12:30pm CDT
Ballroom

12:40pm CDT

App Smackdown: Apps for SpEd

Lots of apps

Speakers

Julie Freed

SLP/AAC Resource Team Need, Grant Wood AEA

Kiersten Hensley

Graduate Assistant, ICATER

Jim Stachowiak

Director of Assistive Technology, AccessibleNU, Northwestern University

Jonathan Wylie

Digital Learning, Grant Wood Area Education Agency

Jonathan Wylie is a Technology Consultant for Grant Wood AEA in Eastern Iowa. He helps schools integrate technology in an authentic and meaningful way. He is also the co-host of The Edtech Take Out podcast. You can connect with Jonathan on Twitter or via his blog at jonathanwylie... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 12:40pm - 1:40pm CDT
Nebraska

Learning Disabilities, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities

12:40pm CDT

Say It Forward

This session deals with everyday applications of Speech Recognition features on devices such as Smart Phones and Tablets. Make a phone call, text, Facebook post, Facetime, take notes, do information searches and get directions with one touch of a button and your voice. Great option for those with cognitive or dexterity issues or really-anybody!!!

Speakers

Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson, ATP: Accomplishing the Activities of Daily Living and the Assistive Technologies that allow people to perform to their full potential is the mission of the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) and Gary Johnson, Behavioral Health Consultant. Just as cellphones... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 12:40pm - 1:40pm CDT
Indiana

Learning Disabilities, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Administrators, Post-Secondary

12:40pm CDT

Supporting Struggling Readers and Writers

The advent of 1:1 platforms and instruction provides an opportunity to place learning support tools in the hands of all students, not just those in special education. Come see, and hear, a variety of tools that will help all students who may be struggling with reading or writing in the classroom. The Macintosh, Windows, Chromebook and iPad platforms will be addressed. Tools ranging from free to moderately priced will be emphasized.

Speakers

Clair Judas

Special Education Technology Specialist, Area Education Agency 267

Tuesday April 22, 2014 12:40pm - 1:40pm CDT
Michigan

Learning Disabilities, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Administrators, Post-Secondary

12:40pm CDT

APT: Planning for Assessment for Students with Complex Communication Needs

This session will provide a general overview of the APT: AAC Planning Tool for Assessment that was created by ten SLPs from Grant Wood AEA. A framework for considering communication assessment and related tools will be shared. Please join us for this face-paced walk through of this resource for use by SLPs and IEP teams working with students with complex communication needs.

Speakers

Jess Krob

Speech Language Pathologist, Grant Wood AEA

Jess is a certified speech language pathologist at Grant Wood AEA. She currently serves the Clear Creek Amana school district in the Southwest Region. Jess also supports Grant Wood AEAs new SLPs as an Induction Coach through the Mentor Program at the Agency. She is a University... Read More →

Maggie Pickett

Digital Learning Consultant and Digital Learning Consultant, Grant Wood AEA

Maggie is a certified speech-language pathologist. Her passion in education resides in creating engaging and accessible learning opportunities for all learners in Mutli-Tiered Systems of Support. For over a decade Maggie has worked with teachers, students, administrators, para-professionals... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 12:40pm - 1:40pm CDT
Northwestern

Significant Disabilities, Elementary Secondary Special Education Teachers Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

12:40pm CDT

REMOTE: Literacy Instruction for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs

This presentation will provide participants with evidence-based practices for teaching basic reading skills to individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and demonstrate how to support the use of these skills in meaningful reading activities. The presentation will include video examples of the use of the instructional practices with children and young adults with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities.

Speakers

David McNaughton

David McNaughton, Ph.D, is a Professor in Special Education at Pennsylvania State University. He teaches classes on assistive technology and collaboration skills, and his current research interests include the development of vocational opportunities for individuals with severe disabilities... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 12:40pm - 1:40pm CDT
Illinois

Significant Disabilities

12:40pm CDT

Transforming Students with Developmental Disabilities into Authors: Curriculum, Measurement, Accommodations

The ability to write is truly life changing for students with mild to severe developmental disabilities. Yet, many students with developmental disabilities (including autism) never develop the most basic writing skills. Research shows that with the right instruction and
supports, they can move far beyond expectations!

Dr. Janet Sturm spent the last 15 years doing field research in schools to help these students learn to write. Much of her work culminated into an NIH grant-funded development project that produced First Author Writing Software. The software features built-in accommodations including a auto-populating word bank, image bank, and switch access for physical disabilities. In addition, it builds in the First Author Writing Measures which help guide teachers to score student writing on both qualitative and quantitative measures. The 14-point ordinal scale tracks writing from the emergent level to writing that would be typical of a normally-developing second grade student.

In this presentation, I will demonstrate First Author Writing Software and the Writing Measures and show some incredible video of teachers and students using First Author. I will also share First Author research outcomes from a study conducted with 44 students with developmental disabilities at five sites that shows significant qualitative and quantitative gains.

Speakers

Ruth Ziolkowski

President, Don Johnston Incorporated

Tuesday April 22, 2014 12:40pm - 1:40pm CDT
Ballroom

Significant Disabilities, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

12:40pm CDT

Visual Considerations for Students when Considering Assistive Technology

This session will cover basic information and resources on the top visual impairments (including cortical visual impairment, optic nerve hypoplasia and retinopathy prematurity), how those visual impairments affect the student’s ability to access visually based technology, and what important questions to ask about the student’s visual accommodations/adaptations. If you have a student with a visual impairment using PECS, PODD, iPad, a computer screen, driving a power chair, picture symbols or using a switch – this session is for you!

Speakers

Shelly Howsare

Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Cindy White-Botello

Consultant, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Consultant for Students with Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Tuesday April 22, 2014 12:40pm - 1:40pm CDT
Penn State

Significant Disabilities, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Post-Secondary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

1:50pm CDT

Resources, websites, and apps for students with Autism and other disabilities

This presentation will give you multiple resources, apps, and websites to support in the areas of modifying and accommodating the common core. We will also look at multiple resources for structure, schedules, social stories, behavior management, and data collection.

Speakers

Jessica Beem

Jess Beem is an Autism consultant serving NE Region, NW Region, and Central Regions of Grant Wood Area Education Agency. Jess served formely as a special education teacher having taught early childhood special education to 6th grade special education. She has worked at GWAEA for the... Read More →

Kelli Robertson

Accessibility Lead & AT Coordinator, Grant Wood AEA

Kelli Robertson has been involved in project development throughout her time at Grant Wood AEA surrounding the topics of differentiation, developing accommodations, diverse learners, and using visual support strategies and has done numerous presentations to educators and parents on... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 1:50pm - 2:50pm CDT
Minnesota

Autism, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

1:50pm CDT

Finding Your Way through the Maze of eBooks

Our presentation will provide an overview of Audio, Digital, and Audio Digital eBook resources which will include Iowa AEA online and public library resources.

Speakers

Sheila Matheson

Speech Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Contact for Grant Wood AEA

Sheila Matheson has worked for Grant Wood AEA for many years (we won't admit to how many) as a Speech/Language Pathologist and been on the Grant Wood AEA Assistive Technology team for 5 years. She has a vested interest in improving student outcomes in the classroom which has led... Read More →

Deanna Weber

Teacher Librarian, Wilson Middle School

I love to learn new things! I guess you could say I'm passionate about lifelong learning. Great ideas motivate me and I enjoy collaborating with my peers and gaining new perspectives and experiences. I also enjoy time with my daughters and husband. I as Teacher Librarian for Wilson... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 1:50pm - 2:50pm CDT
Indiana

Learning Disabilities, Administrators, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Parents, Post-Secondary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

1:50pm CDT

Rewordify: Text Complexity Reduction Tool

Rewordify is a free online service that works on any computer, tablet or smartphone. It converts complicated texts into one of five simplified, differentiated versions that have the same meaning but with simpler vocabulary. It generates vocabulary lists, learning activities, and quizzes from the text you enter, and has no ads or logins to confuse users.

Speakers

Jonathan Wylie

Digital Learning, Grant Wood Area Education Agency

Tuesday April 22, 2014 1:50pm - 2:50pm CDT
Nebraska

Learning Disabilities

1:50pm CDT

Technology to Support Executive Functioning

This session will provide attendees with information related to the use of AT to support students with executive functioning deficits. Consideration of technology characteristics will be addressed and specific tools to support executive functioning deficits will be shared.

Speakers

Brice Beck

GWAEA School Psychologist & AT Consultant

Brice is a school psychologist and assistive technology consultant with Grant Wood AEA serving the Iowa City Community School District. Brice has a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He attended University... Read More →

Julie King, LISW

School Social Worker, Grant Wood Area Education Agency

Julie King, LISW received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Iowa. She is licensed as a clinical social worker through IDPH, a Professional Service License as a School Social Worker through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, and a post-graduate certificate in... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 1:50pm - 2:50pm CDT
Penn State

Learning Disabilities, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities

1:50pm CDT

Writing and AT: Four-Part Guidance

Writing is an essential part of curricular access through activities that engage students in learning and through written tasks that allow demonstration of learning. This session will review the four-part Writing and AT Guidance developed for IEP teams to assist identification of students who may require a closer review of assistive technology needs related to writing. The process provides guidance for making data-based decisions related to writing accommodations and provides IEP development direction. Guidance to document provision and use of writing accommodation is a part of this process. Participants will leave with the four-part Writing and AT Guidance and associated tools.

Speakers

Cindy Cavanagh

Assistive Technology Team, Mississippi Bend AEA

Cindy Cavanagh is a member of the Assistive Technology Team at Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency in eastern Iowa. She attended the University of Iowa and holds a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology, ASHA CCC and Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) credentials through... Read More →

Teresa Wyant

Teresa Wyant is a member of the Assistive Technology Team at Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency in eastern Iowa. She attended the University of Northern Colorado and holds a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, ASHA CCC and Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) credentials... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 1:50pm - 2:50pm CDT
Michigan

Learning Disabilities, Administrators, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

1:50pm CDT

Experience Books & Boxes; Literacy for Children with Multiple Impairmen

This session will focus on how to make and adapt books using objects and symbols to support literacy development for children who have multiple and visual impairments including deafblindness functioning at the very earliest stages cognitively and communicatively. Participants will learn introductory information about object books, conversation and story boxes, experience books and how to adapt books based upon the learners unique sensory and cognitive needs. This type of individually based literacy experience promotes a clearer connection to literacy and language for the learner. On-line resources and where to go for more information will also be provided.

Speakers

Cindy White-Botello

Consultant, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Consultant for Students with Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Tuesday April 22, 2014 1:50pm - 2:50pm CDT
Ohio State

Significant Disabilities

1:50pm CDT

iPad Access for the Marginal Touch User

Everyone wants to have access to e-mail, internet, books, games, music, and photos on tablets such as the iPad. For individuals with movement disorders this can be difficult, but we have found that with training, and simple adaptations, marginal users can access the iPad. The presenter will demonstrate and discuss options for iPad access for individuals with disabilities, including accessibility features, stylus options and modifications, mounts, cases, and apps. Some accessibility features of iPad applications will be discussed.

Speakers

Patricia Bahr

Rehabilitation Engineer, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare

Patti has worked at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare for over 23 years as a rehabilitation engineer. Currently she supervises the Gillette Mobile Outreach Clinic and provides AAC, EADL, and computer access consultations with therapists throughout the state. Patti is a current... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 1:50pm - 2:50pm CDT
Northwestern

Significant Disabilities, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, K-12, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities

1:50pm CDT

REMOTE: Panther Apps

Panther apps were designed to offer meaningful and enjoyable access to the “Three R’s”: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic… and the one T: Technology. This suite of Apps allows people with disabilities to take control of their own learning, by leveraging all the amazing power of the iPad, while adding a layer of predictability to how each app can work. That means more time being productive and independent. Join us as we explore these innovative apps designed for students who struggle with physical access to the curriculum and instruction.

Speakers

Richard Ellenson

Richard Ellenson is a leading known figure in the world of Assistive Technology. His work has helped innumerable individuals with disabilities better reach their potential and, importantly, helped the world at large better understand disabilities, by fostering a vibrant spirit of... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 1:50pm - 2:50pm CDT
Illinois

Significant Disabilities

3:00pm CDT

Video Model to Build Social Skills for Preschool/Early Elementary

Video modeling to build social skills: how to use the iPad, how to create a YouTube channel, how to pick the topic/length of video, editing, and an overview of social skills resources that can build social interaction for preschoolers (Target audience: Preschool/Early Elementary

Speakers

Michelle Sunner

Autism Consultant, Grant Wood AEA

Michelle has worked for Grant Wood AEA as an Autism Consultant for the last 18 years. Prior to that she was a special education teacher. She currently lives in Ely, Iowa with her husband and 2 teenagers.

Tuesday April 22, 2014 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Minnesota

Autism, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary

3:00pm CDT

Regent Panel on Technology and Transition

The transition from high school to college can be difficult for students with disabilities. From accommodations to technology, the type of support and assistance these students may receive can vary greatly from what they have experienced in the K-12 sector. To better prepare for this transition, representatives from Iowa's three regent institutions will speak about the different accommodation processes and technology support that is available for students at their respective institutions.

Speakers

Ashley Brickley

Coordinator, University of Northern Iowa, Student Disability Services

Ashley Brickley is Coordinator of Student Disability Services at the University of Northern Iowa. She received her B.S. in Genetics and Psychology from Iowa State University and her M.A.E. in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs from the University of Northern Iowa. Throughout... Read More →

John Hirschman

Assistant Director, Student Disability Resources - Iowa State University

Michael Venzon

Mike Venzon is the Assistant Director at the University of Iowa Student Disability Services. In his role as Assistant Director, he facilitates student employment within SDS, coordinates Media Services, and manages the distribution of caseload assignments of over 600 students registered... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Indiana

General

3:00pm CDT

REMOTE SESSION: Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning: Apples and Oranges?

With emerging and usable technology becoming more readily available, are we asking ourselves the question: Is this assistive technology, educational technology, or instructional technology? As special education personnel, we need to revisit how we structure our "accommodations" for students who qualify under IDEA, as well as leverage our resources for
general education students who may struggle with learning.

Speakers

Kirk Behnke, M.Ed., ATP

Education and Technology Specialist, Behnke Consulting, LLC

Kirk Behnke, M.Ed., ATP has worked in the field of assistive technology (AT) since the mid 1980s in a variety of professional and personal experiences in the areas of regular & special education, leadership, professional development, technical assistance, programmatic evaluation... Read More →

Tuesday April 22, 2014 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Illinois

General, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities

3:00pm CDT

AT Implementation through a Lab and Summer Camp

This presentation will focus on AT implementation at Roosevelt Middle School in Cedar Rapids. We will begin by discussing the AT lab that Mrs. Pino started, how it was set up and how it is used. We will also discuss the AT Summer Camp, which was a joint project between Roosevelt and ICATER to prepare Roosevelt students to use the AT Lab. Attendees of this presentation will have an example of a way to successfully implement AT throughout a school.

Speakers

Autumn Pino

Autumn Pino is committed to providing innovative and equitable learning opportunities for all students. Prior to her position at Roosevelt, Autumn served as a Principal at Maquoketa Middle School and Associate Principal at Pleasant Valley High School. In her current work, she has... Read More →

Jim Stachowiak

Director of Assistive Technology, AccessibleNU, Northwestern University

Tuesday April 22, 2014 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Michigan

Learning Disabilities, Administrators, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities

3:00pm CDT

Chrome Apps and Extensions to Support Teaching and Learning

This session will cover some Chrome web browser apps and extensions that will help support learning. We will cover some uses for students and teachers! Come learn about how you can max out your web browser and use some online apps!

Speakers

Stacy Behmer

Coordinator of Digital Learning/Media Services, Grant Wood AEA

Tuesday April 22, 2014 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Penn State

Learning Disabilities, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Administrators, Post-Secondary

3:00pm CDT

Accessible iPads

iPads are great tools for students, teachers and the general public. The latest operating system from Apple, iOS 7, includes updates to existing tools and some great new features that significantly improve the device’s usability. Whether you are a typical user or one who needs supports, the built-in features of iOS 7 can assist you with reading, writing and physically accessing the iPad.

Speakers

Clair Judas

Special Education Technology Specialist, Area Education Agency 267

Tuesday April 22, 2014 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Nebraska

Significant Disabilities, Early Access-Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities, Special Education Teachers: Mild Disbilities, Administrators, Post-Secondary

3:00pm CDT

BRIDGE Assessment for Emergent Literacy for Students with Complex Communication/Learning Needs

Tracking development of literacy skills is essential to plan appropriate programs that challenge children and move them ever forward in their literacy and language development. The Bridge is an early literacy and language assessment framework based on observation and portfolio development/analysis. This session will provide an overview of the Bridge, common adaptations for children with complex communication/learning needs and data collection methods to support instructional decision making.

Speakers

Evette Edmister

Associate Professor, University of Northern Iowa

Maggie Pickett

Digital Learning Consultant and Digital Learning Consultant, Grant Wood AEA

Tuesday April 22, 2014 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
Northwestern

Significant Disabilities, Special Education Teachers: Significant Disabilities