Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is excited to announce the 2022–2023 National Presenter Series with Kelli Suding, MEd. This workshop is designed for special educators and related service providers.

“Assistive Technology Integration for All Students”

Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Time: 8:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m.

Fee: $17 (Lunch only)

Where: Laveen Elementary School District

Address: 5001 W Dobbins Road, Laveen, AZ 85339

About Kelli Suding, MEd

Kelli has a background in general and special education classrooms. She holds a master’s degree in Learning and Technology and is certified in both general and special education instruction. Kelli has national, state, and local presentation and training experience. She has a strong understanding and experience in connecting theory to practice. Her instructional experience has been with students requiring mild, moderate, and intense intervention. Kelli’s specializations include universal design for learning, autism, accessible educational materials, assistive technology, Google Chrome accessibility and integration, and specific learning disabilities.

Workshop Description:

“Assistive Technology Integration for All Students”

Creating our classroom instruction with learner variability in the forefront will allow us to be mindful in meeting the needs of all of our students. Oftentimes, the use of assistive technology is the appropriate accommodation to meet those needs. Statements such as “That’s cheating. They need to do that by themselves,” are often comments aligned with the use of appropriate accommodations of accessible educational materials (AEM) and assistive technology (AT) for students with specific disabilities. But how can we promote a culture of universal design for learning (UDL) and at the same time step outside of our “No, it’s not cheating,” echo chamber to have meaningful conversations with educators who may see AT accommodations as a crutch?

This workshop will explore ways to debunk the mindset of “it’s cheating” through personal stories, understanding learning disabilities, short simulations, discussion of the different skill sets of reading, the “what” of AEM, and most importantly, the “why.” Attendees will learn about and have access to free/low-cost simple AT tools for Mac, PC, iOS, and Chrome extensions to turn classroom worksheets and documents into accessible formats, instruction for independent student access, and other assistive technology options.

If you have questions regarding this training, please email our AT inbox.

Register for Assistive Technology Integration for All Students.

Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is excited to announce the start of the 2022–23 National Presenter Series with Penny Reed, PhD. This workshop is designed for special educators and related service providers.

Assistive Technology Consideration and Assessment Made Easy

Date: September 20, 2022

Time: 8:00 a.m.−3:30 p.m.

Fee: $19 (working lunch, lunch will be provided)

Where: Pendergast Community Center

Address: 10550 W Mariposa St, Phoenix, AZ 85037

About Penny Reed

Penny Reed, PhD, is an independent consultant in AT services and provides training on various topics related to AT with a special focus on improving the delivery of AT services. Dr. Reed has a BS in elementary education, an MS and PhD in special education, and certification as both a principal and special education administrator. She was the director of the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) for many years and serves on the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) Leadership Team. She is a founding member of the QIAT Consortium, the National Assistive Technology in Education Network, and the Coalition for Assistive Technology in Oregon. Dr. Reed has authored and co-authored numerous articles and manuals, including her most recent publication, Best Practices in Special Education: A Framework for Assistive Technology (2022), co-authored with Gayl Bowser.

Workshop Description:

Are you confused about your responsibility to provide assistive technology devices and services?

Are you frustrated with delays in obtaining AT assessments from sources outside your PEA or the cost of those assessments?

Are you looking for an efficient, effective way to determine a student's need for assistive technology? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you.

Assistive Technology Consideration and Assessment Made Easy

This activity-packed workshop will present a team-based model for completing AT consideration and assessment. It begins with a brief overview of the laws related to the provision of AT services in the schools, including AT Consideration and Assessment. Participants will examine and discuss AT Consideration forms to determine what works for them. Then, an AT Assessment process will be explained. Specific, easy-to-follow forms will be provided. Participants will use the forms for guided practice in completing the AT Assessment process. The training will end with pointers for implementation planning. It is most beneficial if participants can attend as a team.

If you have questions regarding this training, please email the AT Inbox.

Register for Assistive Technology Consideration and Assessment Made Easy.

Dear Educators and Therapists,

Are you overwhelmed by PD? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Please join the Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services/Assistive Technology Team for our fall series titled “Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT).”

These fast, 30-minute sessions will showcase just one organizational or assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use in your classroom or teacher/therapist life. Are mornings or afternoons better for you? No worries; each JOT will be presented on Wednesdays at lunchtime and after school. Choose the time that works for you. The first sessions will take place on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, from 11:30 a.m.−12:00 p.m. and again from 3:00−3:30 p.m. The topic will be Get GO-ing with Graphic Organizers.

Register for 11:30 a.m.

Register for 3:00 p.m.

Focusing and organizing thoughts, ideas, and information in reading, writing, and math can be a real challenge for students. Join us at this JOT to learn about graphic organizers that may help struggling students to understand, remember, and apply information, and may help students to see connections, patterns, and relationships. We will explore how students can use a variety of these templates to organize their ideas with visual maps, diagrams, and pictures. Come, learn, and take away your favorite graphic organizer to use with your students the very next day. 

Register for these and future sessions.

If you have questions regarding this training, please email our AT inbox.

Special Education Directors,

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce a series of workshops designed for Related Service Providers, including OTs, PTs, and SLPs. The series will be presented throughout the 2022–2023 school year.

Registration is now open for our kick-off summer presentation. 

Every Moment Counts: Promoting Participation and Mental Health Throughout the Day

Presenter:                   Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA 

Date/Time:                 June 3, 2022, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Format:                        Virtual (Zoom Meeting)

Fee:                                Free 

Participants: Geared toward related service providers, however educators and administrators are welcome to attend

Description:

Small moments make a big difference in how children feel and function in school. Research confirms that positive interactions and experiences (e.g., enjoying lunch, having fun during recess) help children to feel positive and connected to school. Every Moment Counts is a mental health promotion initiative developed to help all children/youths become mentally healthy in order to succeed in school, at home, and in the community. Participants will learn about a multi-tiered public health approach to mental health involving promotion, prevention, and intervention and will be introduced to Every Moment Counts’ activity-based programs: Comfortable Cafeteria, Refreshing Recess, Calm Moments Cards, and Making Leisure Matter.  Practical examples of collaborative services (OT, PT, SLP, teachers) integrated in academic (classroom) and non-academic (cafeteria, recess, art, etc.) settings will be shared. Creative strategies for helping youths to participate in meaningful, community-based leisure will be provided. An overview of website resources will be provided as well as strategies for building capacity of school personnel to do this work.

About our Speaker:

Susan Bazyk, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA is Professor Emerita of the Occupational Therapy Program at Cleveland State University, where she taught for 34 years. She is the founding director of Every Moment Counts, which was launched in 2012. This multi-pronged mental health promotion initiative focuses on helping all children and youths to participate successfully throughout the day in academic and non-academic settings (www.everymometcounts.org). In addition to authoring the book, Mental Health Promotion, Prevention, and Intervention with Children and Youth: A Guiding Framework for Occupational Therapy (2011), Dr. Bazyk has authored over 30 journal articles and several book chapters in leading OT textbooks. Recent awards include the 2016 Crain’s Cleveland Business Health Care Hero Award, the 2017 Outstanding Research Award for the College of Sciences and Health Professions at CSU, and the 2018 Award for Innovative and Emerging Practice from AOTA.  As a Fulbright Specialist (2019–2024), Susan presented on Every Moment Counts in five New Zealand regions in February 2020.

 Questions regarding this professional learning opportunity can be sent to [email protected].

Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is pleased to announce the final session in our 2021-2022 AT Builders National Presenter Series. This workshop is designed for special educators and related service providers: “Designing and Delivering Empowering Experiences to Teach Language Using AAC.”

Date: Friday, May 13, 2022, from 8:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. (Seats are limited; register now!)

Fee:  No Cost (lunch on your own)

Where: Peoria Unified School District

Address: 6330  W. Thunderbird Road Glendale, AZ 85306

Course Description: 

This interactive experience explores strategies for teaching even the youngest students language by engineering environments so all communicators have opportunities for rich, meaningful practice of language in the context of everyday routines. Learn current best practices regarding Augmentative and Alternative Communication principles such as how to support language learning, select appropriate vocabulary and get Augmentative and Alternative Communication users engaged in the process. Explore how to design educational experiences using interactive technologies which empower the learner and their support network to achieve their lifelong language goals, how to build the skills of communication partners, and how training centered on coaching empowers parents and educators to take ownership of promoting the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems all day long, in all environments. 

Registration:

Register for May 13

Email questions you have regarding this professional learning opportunity to our AT inbox.

About:

Rachel Madel, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Los Angeles-based speech-language pathologist and communication expert dedicated to coaching parents and professionals on how to incorporate technology to best support speech and language development. Rachel presents both nationally and abroad on the use of augmentative alternative communication (AAC) for children with complex communication needs and coaches clinicians, teachers, and parents on integrating technology in classrooms and at home to support communication. Her work has been featured in Autism Parenting Magazine, Speech Science, Practical AAC, Xceptional Ed, Teachers with Apps, and ChildNEXUS.

Christopher R. Bugaj, MA, CCC‐SLP is a founding member of the Assistive Technology Team for Loudoun County Public Schools. Chris and Rachel co-host the Talking With Tech podcast featuring interviews and conversations about augmentative and alternative communication. Chris has hosted The A.T.TIPSCAST podcast and is the author of The New Assistive Tech: Make Learning Awesome For All, published by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). He is co-author of Inclusive Learning 365: EdTech Strategies for Every Day of the Year Chris has presented over 500 live or digital sessions at local, regional, state, national, and international events, including TEDx.

Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is excited to announce our first in-person professional learning opportunities of the 2021–2022 AT Builders National Presenter Series with Judith Schoonover for special educators and related service providers.

“Want to ‘Make’ a Difference? Promote ParticipATion with Easily Found Materials!” with Judith Schoonover.  

Date: April 7, 2022, from 8:45a.m.–3:45p.m. (Seats are limited; rsvp now!)

Fee: $35 (includes a light breakfast, a box lunch, and all materials)

Where: Sunnyside Unified School District #12 (Palo Verde Portable)

Address: 2238 East Ginter Road, Tucson, AZ 85706

Description:

Never underestimate the power of using what is available or easily acquired as a first step to supporting young learners or those with exceptional needs. A common misconception is that all assistive technology is complicated and expensive. Finding new uses for familiar tools is a means to increase “buy-in” by all involved. Whether working virtually or face-to-face, simple adaptations with easily found materials can make a difference and empower users, caregivers, and educators to come up with their own interventions. This make-and-take workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to create PVC tools from items found in hardware stores (PVC pipe, joints, and cutters) and to assemble them in minutes, as well as to make simple manipulatives to support physical access and learning. A variety of free and low-cost materials for learning and play environments will be shared. Discussion and exchange of ideas will be encouraged throughout the session. Participants will leave with tangible tools to use the next day and with a digital file of additional resources and directions to continue their “making” a difference journey.

Objectives:

1. Participants will name three or more familiar tools used in unique ways to increase participation.
2. Participants will discuss three or more DIY tools that can be fabricated from easily found materials.
3. Participants will list three or more features that can be represented more than one way from light tech to high tech.

About

Judith Schoonover, MEd, OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA is an occupational therapist and former elementary school teacher. She is certified as an assistive technology professional (ATP) by Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America RESNA and was a founding member of the Loudoun County Public Schools Assistive Technology Team. Judith has provided direct services in schools for more than 44 years and is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker presenting on the topics of school-based occupational therapy, transition, literacy, and assistive technology. She has authored numerous articles, and chapters in Early Childhood: Occupational Therapy Services for Children Birth to Five, Occupational Therapy for Children (6th–8th eds.), Best Practices in School Occupational Therapy, Assistive Technologies, and Occupational Therapy and Transitions: A Cross-System Perspective. She participated in National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) workgroups addressing response to intervention (RTI), transition, and virtual schools. Currently, Judith represents American Occupational Therapy Association AOTA on the National Joint Committee (NJC) for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities; she is a Strand Advisor for The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference and serves on the editorial board of the Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB) Journal.

RSVP for April 7, 2022

Questions regarding this professional learning opportunity can be sent to the AT Inbox.

Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is excited to offer a free virtual professional learning opportunity by nationally known presenter Tony Vincent.  Registration information is available below:

Digital Learning Construction: Tools with Tony Vincent

March 22, 23, and 24, 2022 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Pixels to Paper (Tuesday, March 22, 2022, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.)

In this session, you will be able to see the variety of printable creations you can make in Google Slides or PowerPoint. These creations are not ordinary printouts! Learn to make your own tear-off sheets, table toppers, multipage posters, door hangers, brochures, dice, scratch cards, and foldable mini-books. These printable items can serve as visual scaffolds, handy reminders, or learning artifacts for students.

Register to attend March 22

Live Transcription will be available for all webinars. If you require additional accommodations to participate in this webinar, please register no later than 71 hours in advance of this meeting.

Google Forms Awesomeness (Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.)

Google Forms is awesome, but you already knew that. It’s great how responses feed directly into a spreadsheet for easy access and analysis. You can create assessments, surveys, checkout forms, and quizzes for students. You can also poll colleagues, collect information from parents, and keep logs. If you dig into the settings, you can do even more!

Register to attend March 23

Live Transcription will be available for all webinars. If you require additional accommodations to participate in this webinar, please register no later than 71 hours in advance of this meeting.

Electrify Any Lesson 2.0 (Thursday, March 24, 2022 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.)

Tony's most popular presentation is updated with all new ways to make learning irresistible. Experience Tony's new favorite low-prep lesson hooks, conversation starters, and tools to make any lesson extra special.

Register to attend March 24

Live Transcription will be available for all webinars. If you require additional accommodations to participate in this webinar, please register no later than 71 hours in advance of this meeting.

About Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent has been a pioneer in digital learning. Tony left regular teaching in 2006 to work with teachers worldwide. After years of self-employment as an education and technology presenter, Tony went back to the classroom to teach fifth grade in Council Bluffs, Iowa for the 2018-2019 school year. While he’s proud to have led workshops and presentations in almost all 50 states, empowering his students to be creative thinkers is his favorite professional accomplishment. Tony is a prolific sharer, approachable, and he consistently selects practical tools and strategies that can be implemented right away. To see what Tony shares online, click on over to the Learning in Hand website, where you can explore his website and find his social media links. And, if you spend a little time with Tony, you’re likely to hear about his charming nine-year-old twins.

Questions regarding this professional learning opportunity can be sent to [email protected].

Special Education Directors,

Please share this announcement with your staff.

Assistive Technology (AT) National Presenter Series 

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology team is kicking off our 2021 AT National Presenter Series with Chris Bugaj. Chris is offering 3 separate presentations, attend one or attend all!

Christopher R. Bugaj, MA, CCC‐SLP, is a founding member of the Assistive Technology Team for Loudoun County Public Schools. Chris co-hosts the Talking with Tech podcast, and has hosted The A.T. TIPSCAST, a multi‐award winning podcast featuring strategies to design educational experiences.

Designing Educational Experiences for All!

10/19/2021 4:00–5:15 p.m. (Arizona time)

This session will allow participants to take the opportunity to mesh contemporary educational principles such as Universal Design for Learning, the Growth Mindset, Project-Based Learning, the Maker Movement, the Least Restrictive Option, and the use of technology to transform practices to empower students of all abilities to take charge of their own learning.

Registration link:

Register for the Designing Educational Experiences for All! session

Feature Presentation! Necessary Considerations for Technology Implementation

10/20/2021 4:00–5:15 p.m.  (Arizona time)

What’s the point of technology in educational design? What features of technology can be used to design educational experiences that work for every learner? Participants will explore a wide variety of necessary features presented by different technologies that can be used as universal supports for learners in inclusive learning environments. Leave with practical ideas for how to consider, select, and implement contemporary technologies for instructional experiences. 

Registration link: 

Register for the Necessary Considerations for Technology Implementation session

Seven Up! 7 Ways to Boost Your AAC Implementation

10/21/2021 4:00–5:15 p.m. (Arizona time)

Teaching core vocabulary and using partner-augmented input/aided language stimulation are practices more widely implemented now than ever before. This session will focus on seven additional factors that can be used to boost the language acquisition process.

Registration link:

Register for the 7 Ways to Boost Your AAC Implementation session 

Special Education Directors,

ESS is excited to announce a third professional learning opportunity with Lauren Enders, CCC-SLP, on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 from 4:00–5:15 p.m. for special educators and related service providers.

Presentation

Harnessing the Power of YouTube to Support Language Development (Including AAC Users):

YouTube is the world’s largest online video sharing platform. With millions of videos covering a staggering array of topics, there are videos available to engage people of all ages and abilities. With such broad appeal, YouTube can be a wonderful language learning tool to engage your students during remote (or in-person) instruction. In this fast-paced and resource-packed session, you will learn how to use YouTube content as a fun addition to your remote instruction toolbox. You will be provided with a list of excellent YouTube Channels that can be used as is or used as inspiration for creating your own content. Throughout the session, you will be provided with suggestions on how YouTube videos can be used to support language development in students of varying ages and skill levels, including those who are learning to communicate using AAC. Tips and tricks for modeling all types of AAC systems during YouTube-based activities will be shared. Attendees will leave with a digital resource containing links to the resources presented during the session.

Learner Outcomes 

• Describe 2 ways to show a YouTube video during a remote session without showing the visual clutter of surrounding text and images.
• Identify at least 3 fun YouTube channels that can be used to support language development in AAC users
• Name a YouTube channel that you plan to use with a student and describe how you will use a video from that channel in a remote session

Presenter

Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed and ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist currently working as a full-time Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant for Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She has had a passion for using AAC and other forms of assistive technology to support students with complex communication needs and complex bodies since she began her career in 1995. Lauren presents regularly at national conferences including Closing the Gap, ATIA, and ASHA, as well as more intimate conferences, speaking engagements, and webinars. She has shared her knowledge via blog posts on Praacticalaac.org as well as articles published in the ASHA Leader and Closing the Gap Solutions Magazines. Lauren enjoys sharing AAC and AT related resources and networking with others in the field via Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to register.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Participant registration is first-come, first-served until all available seats are filled.

Questions regarding this professional learning opportunity can be sent to [email protected].

Dear Special Education Directors,

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is kicking off its 2020 AT Builders National Presenter Series with Chris Bugaj, “Make Learning Awesome for All.” This learning series requires a commitment of four weeks, and includes pre-recorded videos that are available to view at your convenience. Participants are asked to ensure they can meet the full time commitment prior to registering. The series includes the following training times:

• Monday, September 28
  • 3:00 - 4:15 PM Live Kick-off and 75 min. pre-recorded session
• Monday, October 5 
  • 75 min. pre-recorded session
• Monday, October 12
  • 75 min. pre-recorded session 
• Monday, October 19
  • 3:00 - 4:30 PM Live Q & A 

Students of all abilities head off to kindergarten with bright smiles, eager for the journey of discovery, and with a passion for learning. Then, somewhere along the way, school becomes a chore. It transforms from an experience students want to do into something they have to do. For many, one of the first lessons they learn in schools is that they are not good at it. This is particularly true for students with disabilities.

Let’s shift that paradigm by rethinking how we design educational experiences to empower every student to embrace their passion for learning. Participants in this interactive event will discuss contemporary educational principles such as Universal Design for Learning, Growth Mindset, Project Based Learning, The Maker Movement, and the use of innovative technologies to transform practices by empowering learners to achieve their own goals.

Engage in an evidence-driven method for determining which supports should be made universally available to all students while focusing on specific strategies using technology supports. Come to the session as an educator and leave, transformed, as an Educational Experience Designer!

Please click here to register. Participant registration is first-come, first-served and is not limited to special educators – feel free to forward.

Questions regarding this professional learning opportunity can be sent to [email protected].