Session 5

Session 5-A: Internet Resources for Assistive Technology

Tom Nurse, Assistive Technology Consultant and Inspired Parent: Thomas Nurse is a recognized public speaker and disability advocate on a variety of topics including assistive, instructional and accessible technology, self-determination, transition planning and special needs estate planning. This session will highlight a number of websites and internet resources with helpful assistive technology information.

Session 5-B: Unlocking Learning Potential with LeapFrog SchoolHouse Solutions

Alicia DeMichael, Senior Education Account Executive, LeapFrog SchoolHouse: This session will explore LeapFrog SchoolHouse, research-based multisensory curriculum products that are engaging, portable, and proven. They motivate children and reward them for learning. They don’t just close achievement gaps - they prevent them. Best of all, they inspire a love of learning that begins early and lasts throughout a child’s school years... and beyond. Come learn how these Pre-K - 8th grade educational solutions can begin making a positive difference in the lives of your students today.
LeapFrog Schoolhouse (Website)

Session 5-C: The Gift of Music

Mark Hara, President, TalkingTabs L.L.C. & Jared Hara, Co-Presenter: Talking Tabs is all about music. Not just listening to music, but learning to play music (guitar). Talking Tabs features methods for individuals who are blind, have visual impairments or learning disabilities. This presentation will be a discussion of the products, how they were developed, how they work, and how they are being utilized in classrooms as well as at home. Participants will be provided a demonstration of this method by the instructor and Jared, a boy who lost his sight. Some great music will be played, followed by questions from the audience.

Session 5-D: InspireData

Lourdes Whittington, Educational Specialist for Instructional Technology, Miami-Dade County Public Schools: InspireData is a unique software tool to investigate, manipulate and analyze data in science, mathematics and social studies. Students formulate questions and make connections between data and its visual representations to interpret information, solve problems and draw conclusions.
InspireData (pdf)

Session 5-E: Accessible Assistive Technology Devices for Students with Profound Mental Handicaps

Martha Berman, Curriculum Support Specialist, Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Participants will be provided with an overview of High Tech, Low Tech, and No Tech strategies and technology that can be used to facilitate inclusive cultural programming. Information from the overview will be utilized by participants to reflect on how these technological tools and strategies relate to increased cultural access for all patrons and to their own needs. “Art on the Move,�? an accessible traveling art exhibit which uses cell phone tour technology, will be featured.
Accessible Assistive Technology Devices for PMH (PowerPoint)

Session 5-F: Portable Word Processing for Students with Writing Disabilities

Beth Saunders, Regional ATEN Manager, FDLRS/ATEN: Our students often have a lot to say. It may be thoughtful, funny or moving. In too many cases, we will never know. Helping students to become better writers when they are struggling with a pen or pencil is often frustrating. Students with access to a word processor enjoy writing. They write more, write more often and become engaged in their writing. Their writing becomes a much more accurate reflection of their thinking. A comparison of four light-weight portable word processing devices will be presented with time for hands-on exploration of the devices.
Portable Word Processing for Students with Writing Disabilities (PowerPoint)

Session 5 and 6-G: Transition Panel: Transition, Technology, and Inclusion

Chykimberly A. Bullard, Transition Task Force & Project CONNECT; Dr. Florence M. Taber-Brown, Curriculum Support Specialist, FDLRS/South; Delores Mendosa, Pre-K, M-DCPS; Ken Marquard, Miami-Dade College, Wolfson; Marie Joseph, Vocational Rehabilitation: Information on the legal requirements of secondary transition according to IDEA 2004 will be presented. Implementation of transition in M-DCPS and other areas of the community will be discussed.
"Transiton planning: Assistive technology suppports and services" (TAM Website)
Transition and Accomodations for AT (PowerPoint)