Independence and Achievement though Technology
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New school year and new things happening at TechACCESS!
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New Websites!
We have had a busy summer preparing for the “re-launch” of the TechACCESS website and the creation of a website in collaboration with the RI Department of Education Office (RIDE) of Student, Community, and Academic Supports for
Project AT.
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Project AT is a collaboration between RIDE, TechACCESS and the Sherlock Center now in its 4
th year.
Project AT offers Fall and Spring Cohorts for Teachers and Teacher Assistants where they can learn about assistive technology (AT), the
SETT Framework, and implementation strategies for integrating AT into their classrooms. The purpose of the website is to provide ongoing AT resources to the public and
Project AT participants. A secondary feature of the website will allow past participants of
Project AT a place to speak to their colleagues and continue their collaborations. Visit the site,
www.ProjectAT.org for more information..
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New AT Consultant!
Randy Conroy is the newest member of the TechACCESS team. He is a registered occupational therapist, licensed in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is a graduate of the Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at the New England Institute of Technology. Randy provides assistive technology evaluations and trainings to children and adults with physical impairments, learning disabilities and language disorders. He has a background in mental health therapy, physical rehabilitation and college teaching. Randy teaches as an adjunct instructor in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at the Community College of Rhode Island. Prior to his work as a therapist and college instructor, Randy was a high school English teacher.
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TechACCESS has set up an accessible space utilizing smart home technology. Devices such as ceiling and floor lamps, a fan, a radio, and a doorbell camera can be controlled with voice commands. The devices can be operated through Amazon’s Echo or Google Home. The individual devices can be grouped into routines and controlled with a single voice command. What’s more, both the Amazon Echo and Google Home respond to the voice output produced by many speech generating devices or apps. Use your TobiiDynavox or Proloquo2Go to dim the lights, turn on the fan, and play some music when it’s time for a break! Need help remembering the commands? Create some visuals to help!
A very special thanks goes out to
Cardi’s
for their
generous donation of the furniture in the room!
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November 29th and 30th
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick RI
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Space is Limited in the
Exhibit Hall
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Early Bird Pricing Ends
September 30th!
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Meet our 2018 ATCNE
Keynote Speaker
Tracy Lee Allard
Tracy Lee Allard is a professional actress, model, and public speaker with Autism who is a founding member of Spectrum Theatre Ensemble. An actress who has been on Trinity’s MainStage in Middletown in 2014 and has been a featured extra in films such as Spring Break Zombie Massacre and a consultant and featured extra in Randy’s Canvas. (This years winner for best picture at Aut Fest.)
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October 9th:
Google Suite as AT
October 16th:
P2G 5 Introduction
December 4th:
P2G Advanced
December 13th:
Is there an Echo in your
classroom?
January 10th:
Easy and Practical AT Solutions:
Make & Take
January 29th:
3D Printing for AT
February 6th:
AT to Support Transition
February 13th:
Low Tech AAC Supports
March 12th:
Creating Successful AT/Implementation Plans
March 26th:
Using Eyegaze Effectively: What you need to know
April 2nd:
Executive Functioning Supports in the Classroom and Beyond
All workshops are held at TechACCESS in Cranston. For complete descriptions and to register visit
www.techaccess-ri.org.
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Back to School Tools and Strategies:
The beginning of the school year can be very stressful for both students and teachers. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare for the start of a new school year:
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AT for Transition Spotlight
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A Visual Schedule by
:
Enuma, Inc
.
A Visual Schedule is the first wearable picture-based scheduling application made to be used with iOS devices. Both children and adults can benefit from the use of this application. The symbols provided are icon based and actual photographs can be uploaded to the application as well.
The application is very intuitive to use, which makes it easy to create novel schedules on a daily basis.
A Visual Schedule provides its users with the following information:
- What the current activity they engaged in is
- How long the activity will take
- What the upcoming tasks will be
- How much time is left for that particular activity
- It alerts the user when to begin transiting to another activity
- When the next activity will begin
In addition, the user can see and check the tasks related to the event.
Other features:
- Compatible on any iOS device and the Apple Watch*
- The cost of the application is $12.99
*For the application to be used with an Apple Watch the watch needs to be paired with an iPhone
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Ablenet’s Candy Corn Switch: Sweet Accessibility.
Ablenet’s Candy Corn Switch offers many useful features for single switch users:
- It’s a proximity switch. You don’t actually have to press it. It activates when the user’s control site (finger, cheek, knee, etc.) gets near it.
- It comes in two sizes: 1.9” and 3.5”
- It offers audio and visual feedback in the form of a subtle beep and LED lights when it is activated. The audio and visual feedback can each be turned on or off on the 3.5” version
- It’s magnetic. Want to mount it to a metal surface? Just stick it there! It can also be hard mounted to various mounting systems with screws.
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Back to School with RIMAC
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Accessible Educational Materials to students who cannot access standard print materials. RIMAC serves RI statewide to implement the requirements in Part B of IDEA.
Districts are not required to participate; however, they remain responsible for acquiring the instructional materials necessary to meet the needs of students with print disabilities in a timely manner.
The RIMAC Library serves as an additional resource for school districts seeking to borrow educational materials on a per school year basis. This library holds braille and large print materials/books.
There are no fees for being a member of RIMAC. The only minimal cost is for materials produced or borrowed. The RIMAC can refer districts to specialized sources nationally to purchase materials not in the library’s possession.
RIMAC works with districts to help them address students’ needs for educational materials in accessible formats, whether digital. Large print or brailled materials. Documentation needs to be in a students’ IEPs, and certify the eligibility of students for RIMAC materials.
Want more information?
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Love Letters by Emily was inspired by a Valentine’s Day gift from Emily’s Teacher of the Deaf who photographed her hand fingerspelling L-O-V-E in American Sign Language. It’s one of the sweetest and most thoughtful gifts from the heart we’ve ever received. After a home photography session with Emily signing the ASL alphabet, I Love You sign, and a Heart Hands image, one idea led to another - and our Etsy shop came to be! Every design starts with Emily’s hands to create a unique collection of inspirational prints, note cards, tees and ASL gifts photographed and designed by Emily’s mom, Carolyn. It’s definitely a labor of love which allows Emily to share her best talents, and provide opportunities for her to continue to learn and grow while meeting new challenges.
Twenty-six years ago - following open heart surgery when she was just 8 weeks old, this amazing journey began. At the age of 18 months, when her hearing loss was first discovered, teachers and staff at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf quickly became our family’s teachers and mentors - as our Sign Language education began. Throughout her life, doctors and nurses, teachers and therapists, friends and family have all helped Emily along the way - and continue to guide us following a new diagnosis of CHARGE Syndrome that brings a whole new perspective for the future.
When you see a thank you note written by Emily with handwriting that might be mistaken for that of a first grader - in a way you are right, as her developmental delays have defined her life. Emily is a girl who loves to shop - for all the picture frames and supplies, enjoys choosing photos and special effects on her iPad which also serves as a communication tool for her, and looks forward to going out and about to make local deliveries and take Etsy orders to the Post Office - especially when the weather is nice and she can walk with her job coach or ride her three-wheeled bike with Dad right alongside.
Emily keeps in touch with many friends and fans through social media on Facebook and Instagram as she shares her knowledge of ASL and all our newest designs. Love Letters by Emily keeps growing, and we are so proud of all that Emily has accomplished, including being named a Rhode Islander of the Year in Rhode Island Monthly magazine’s November issue. We’re happy to share this link with the hope that more people are inspired to learn ASL and share the LOVE.
https://www.rimonthly.com/2017-rhode-islanders-of-the-year/
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to anyone linking through this article!
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Mention of any product, service or event in this newsletter does not constitute any endorsement or recommendation by TechACCESS.
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TechACCESS of RI | 401-463-0202| techaccess-ri.org
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