Session 2: 9:30 - 10:20

Home..........Session Table of Contents

Room 124 Braille Literacy
Rachael Trinkowsky, Florida Reading & Vision Technology
In this session we will explore the potentials of accessible portable PDAs, as well as the features and benefits of these devices for people with visual impairments. This will include an overview of the various functions of the Braille Note, the Braille Sense, the PacMate, the Maestro/Trekker and the Icon. We will also discuss the amazing potential of accessible GPS.
Room 210 The Wild World of Web 2.0 - **2 Block Session**
Bill Schulte, Local Assistive Technology Specialist (LATS), Collier County Public Schools
Sheri Wiseman, Local Assistive Technology Specialist (LATS), Collier County Public Schools
Jon Mundorf, Collier County Public Schools
Wikis, blogs, twitters, and Google Doc... the new buzz words for the technology savvy. Are they really appropriate for special education students and can you learn to do this? You better believe it! This hands-on workshop will walk you through the tools that help all students be successful and that help you create an atmosphere that is appealing to students and enables them to achieve more than ever before! We'll walk you through several projects that range from very easy to jumping off the deep end... your classroom may never be the same!
Room 215A
Exhibits Open - Community Agencies and Organizations
Come and explore the range of community agencies and organizations devoted to educating, empowering, and including individuals with disabilities through the use of assistive technology.
Room 216 Transition and Special Needs Planning Integration
Featured Speaker: Tom Nurse, MetDESK, MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids
Transition planning should include exploration of issues like SSI, Medicaid, private health care, income, Medicaid waiver, transportation, age of majority, adult education, inheritance and ongoing family supports and how these issues work together in the post school world. Join Tom Nurse, needs planning specialist and the father of a 17 old daughter with CP, as he explores the importance special needs planning that integrates the economic value of family supports and how public can work together to improve outcomes and opportunities, both now and into the future.
Room 217 Positive Behavior Support for Young Children Using Assistive Technology - **2 Block Session**
Dolores Mendoza, Supervisor, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a broad set of systematic and individualized strategies designed to achieve important learning outcomes and an enhanced quality of life for the child and family while preventing the occurrence of problem behaviors. PBS focuses on identifying environmental factors that are related to challenging behaviors and teaches the child new skills to replace them. A variety of low tech tools that facilitate PBS will be shared.
Room 218 Sensory Processing, Sensory Integration and Seating and Access for Teachers in the Classroom - **2 Block Session**
Featured Speaker: Karen Kangas, OTR/L
Featured Speaker: Lisa Rotelli, Educational Consultant, Adaptive Switch Labs, Inc.
Access remains the number one "problem" for so many of the children we serve. However, accessibility to the environment may be extremely limited for many children due to their current "correct" seating. Sensory processing directly affects visual convergence, focus and attention, and postural control. To assist children in better "access" we must also better understand how their bodies work, and what types of seating equipment is needed. This session will highlight strategies that provide children with increased awareness and use of sensory processing within their seating systems so that increased, consistent access can be observed.
Room 219 AAC and Literacy for Special Populations
Tina Murphy, M.S., CCC-SLP, LATS and AAC Specialist, Palm Beach County Public Schools
Colleen Fritts, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, LATS and AAC Specialist, Palm Beach County Public Schools
Participants will learn about adapted book kits developed specifically for use in instruction of AAC users. These kits are designed to promote literacy skills and communication within the educational setting. They are compiled with focus on Sunshine State Standards. Each kit comes in a variety of subjects,literacy levels, and themes and includes the following: books adapted with picture symbols, lesson plans, corresponding Sunshine State Standards, activities focused on every area of curriculum, worksheets, games, puzzles, teaching instructions, computer activities and manipulatives.
Room 310 Dynavox V
Justin Birch, Dynavox User
Following a brain injury, Justin tried various methods to communicate. He now uses the Dynavox V augmentative communication device in every area of his life. In this session he will share with you examples of the various pages he has created and show that the possibilities are unlimited and depend only on one's creativity. Participants will learn the many and varied capabilities of the Dynavox V (as well as the latest technology that Dynavox has to offer) and how an adult consumer is able to enhance communication skills using this device.
Room 317 The Future of Technology at HP
Gabriel Swatzell, Education Accounts Manager, EnableMart.com
Gabriel Swatzell, Hewlitt-Packard Specialist, will be presenting all the new technologies expected from HP. He will demonstrate innovative products, solutions, new technology and the future of HP in education.
Room 318 Early Literacy Skills Builder
Brent Denu, Attainment Company
Early Literacy Skills Builder is a unique emerging-literacy intervention program for elementary students with significant disabilities (including cognitive and developmental disabilities, autism; and students are nonverbal and/or using alternative/augmentative communication). This presentation will describe the research upon which the program was designed, the curriculum components, and the scope sequence of the program. Ways in which educators can collaborate to provide for the language literacy needs of this population will be discussed and specific adaptations will be presented.
Room 319 Cutting Edge Prosthetics: An Overview of Prosthetic Technology
Alan R. Finnieston, Certified Prosthetist Orthotis, Arthur Finnieston Prosthetics + Orthotics
Alan R. Finnieston, CPO LPO, is recognized worldwide as an innovator in P&O. He developed BioSculptor®, the leading CAD/CAM system for P&O, and holds extensive patents. His passion for P&O has led him to Washington, to lobby on behalf of amputees and the quality of care they receive. Come and see the latest innovations in orthotics/prosthetics in 2008.
Room 325 SOLO Literacy Suite
Mary Kristina Gonzalez-Ledo, Doctoral Student, Florida International University and Florida Inclusion Network Facilitator, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Cheryl White-Lindsey, Doctoral Student, Florida International University Urban SEALS Program
Deidre Marshall, Doctoral Student, Florida International University Urban SEALS Program
The SOLO Suite is a software tool set that builds learning skills in reading, writing, planning, organizing, revising and editing for students in grades 3 to 12 who have learning challenges. SOLO follows UniversalDesign for Learning (UDL) and is a software triad that students can use to improve their skills in the content areas of reading and writing, including assistance with research projects and composing essays. The three components of SOLO highlighted are Read: Outloud, Co: Writer, and Write: Outloud.