Session 4A: 11:30 - 12:20

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

Room 121 Let a Tellus Tell Us -- One Incredible Young Man's Experiences with Augmentative Communication
Linda Parras, Parent
Levi Parras, AT User
Lisa Lawrence, Shelton Technologies
Linda and Levi Parras will share their journey as mother and son, and the assistive technology they have used along the way. Levi, now an adult, is able to text message, send e-mails, play games and take pictures with his Tellus, an integrated computer and augmentative communication device, as well as other low tech innovations. He is extremely happy and excited about telling his story.
Room 210 Universal Design for Learning in Math and Reading
David Davis, Manager,Florida Instructional Technology Training & Resource Unit, a statewide FDLRS Ctr.
Jon Mundorf, Collier County Public Schools
Join us for an overview of technology tools to support reading and math using Universal Design for Learning strategies. This presentation will target the needs of middle and high school students who are on the standard diploma track and will include traditional technology supports as well as some of the new Web 2.0 online tools.
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 Lunch with Tom Nurse
Featured Speaker: Tom Nurse, MetDESK, MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids
Tom Nurse is a renowned speaker on assistive technology, a father of a daughter with cerebral palsy, and an invaluable resource in navigating the world of special education and assistive technology. Come sit with Tom Nurse, and pick his brain on these topics and more. And bring your lunch!
Room 217 Florida Virtual School: Any Time, Any Place...and for Any Student Too!
Vivian Vieta, Teacher Facilitator, Robert Morgan Educational Center, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is a nationally recognized distance learning program which offers middle school and high school courses, as well as test preparation courses for all students. The purpose of this presentation is to increase awareness of FLVS as an alternate means of instruction for students with special needs and still maintain accessibility to accommodations.
Room 219 Infusing AT Within the School Based Language Therapy Setting
Laura Furiati, Speech/Language Pathologist, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Jill Lamchick, Speech/Language Pathologist, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
This session will highlight devices and strategies used to incorporate assistive technology within the school based setting. It will also feature students utilizing picture and voice output communication within small group treatment sessions and collaboration between SLPs and teachers to generalize students' use of assistive technology.
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 319 (Continued) SWAT: Success with Assistive Technology - **2 Block Session**
Diane Koehnk, Pre-K SPED Teacher, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS)
Rosa Acha, Lauren Tracey, Elina Medina, Laura Annear, Pre-K SPED Teachers, M-DCPS
To get a teacher's eye view of the use of assistive technology in the classroom, come join this SWAT Team as they share student case studies from this school year. Through photos, videos and lecture, the group will describe their students' growth and successes through the AT Implementation Plan process in a wide range of classroom settings (from profoundly mentally handicapped through inclusion).
Room 325 Wii for PE-Including Students with Physical Disabilities in the Latest Game Craze!
Bill Schulte, Local Assistive Technology Specialist (LATS), Collier County Public Schools
Sheri Wiseman, Local Assistive Technology Specialist (LATS), Collier County Public Schools
Patricia Maguire, Collier County Public Schools
The Nintendo Wii is fast becoming the favorite activity of kids and adults alike. The virtual reality game is appealing because of the wide range of activities to choose from and the fun interactive environment it creates. People who have disabilities are twice as likely to be less physically active than their nondisabled peers. A loss of physical ability can impact a person's ability to care for him/herself, work, recreate, or participate in community activities. The Wii system can provide a method of participating in developmentally appropriate exercise with non-disabled peers and family members.
Room 328 The Power and Potential of the Smartboard for Students with Special Needs
Christine Ruda, Smart Technologies
No pen - not a problem! Experience the power and the potential of the Smartboard in the classroom for students with special needs! This workshop will focus on lesson ideas and unique ways of adaptation. Learn how to create your own Smartboard lessons as well as access a wealth of ready-to-use lessons. Take advantage of SMART resources that help simplify and create effective teaching strategies. Examine ways for all students to learn!