Monday, October 05, 2009

Upcoming Trainings at SCATP

SCATP logo
The following workshops offered by SCATP still have vacancies:

  • Accessible and Usable Web Pages Using CSS – October 6
  • Trash to AT Treasures - October 21
  • "What's New in Text-to-Speech?" - October 27
  • Building or Updating Your Home for Accessibility - October 28
  • "AMPLIFY ! LIFE" - Grab Life by the Phone. How to get specialized phone equipment FREE - November
  • AAC Assessment - November 12, 2009
  • Accessible and Usable Web Pages Using CSS – December 1
  • AAC Implementation - December 10

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Accessible and Usable Web Pages Using CSS
Time: 9 am - 12 pm

Location: The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology
1951 Pisgah Rd., Florence, SC 29502
Room 149 (Located behind Florence Darlington Technical College.
You can find further info on the SMIT Location page.

Description: Beginning web layout using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Basic ideas, practices, tools and resources for designing a tableless web site using CSS. How CSS affects a site's accessibility and usability. Attendees should have a basic knowledge of html and/or web design layout.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Trash to AT Treasures
Time: 9:00am - Noon

Presenters: Dr. Carol Page, Speech-Language Pathologist SCATP and Val Gioia, Assistive Technology Specialist, SC Department of Education
Location: SC Assistive Technology Resource Center, Poplar Building, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC

Description: Many assistive technology devices are available for communication, switch access, computer access, activities of daily living, and literacy. Assistive technology devices can be very expensive, but they don’t always have to be. Many examples of how to make assistive technology devices using common objects around the home will be demonstrated. The fundamentals of appropriately selecting and using various assistive technology devices will also be reviewed. The workshop will conclude with a make-and-take opportunity for participants to choose from different projects to construct and then take the finished product home with them. This workshop has a maximum of 16 participants.

This training is in the Assistive Technology Resource Center, so no food or drink please.

Cost: $20.00, payable to the University of South Carolina. Send checks or purchase orders to:
Sally Young
SC Assistive Technology Program
USC Center for Disability Resources
Columbia, SC 29208

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
“What’s New in Text-to-Speech?”
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Poplar Conference Room, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia
Presenter: Edna Beard, Quintex of Asheville, Special Needs Technology

Several text-to-speech options will be demonstrated at this presentation. Quintex of Asheville is the distributor of the Kurzweil 3000 software, Kurzweil 1000 software, the knfbReader Mobile, kReader Mobile, and the HumanWare ClassMate and Victor Reader Stream. Each of these options has unique features and benefits, all of which will be explored. The following is a brief description of each product:

Kurzweil 3000 software is a reading, writing, and studying software program for students or individuals with reading/learning difficulties. It provides multi-sensory access to virtually any text or curriculum, including print, electronic, and web-based documents. Kurzweil 3000 supports the principles of Universal Design for Learning, enabling multiple ways for users of all abilities to engage with digital text.

Kurzweil 1000 is award-winning software that makes printed or electronic text accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. It incorporates communication and productivity tools to ease and enhance their reading, writing, and learning experience. The software speaks text aloud in a variety of natural-sounding voices that can be modified to individual preferences. The software gives users the ability to write and edit documents, and to complete simple forms independently, and includes features for note taking, summarizing content, and outlining text.

Kurzweil 1000 delivers quick access to virtually any content, including online books, magazines, dictionaries, and encyclopedias, so readers can pursue the interests they want. They can also take their reading wherever they go by sending files to Braille note takers and embossers, and portable devices such as DAISY and MP3 audio players.

knfbReader Mobile is a phone that reads to you – a truly pocket-size solution to reading on the go. This is a major advancement in portability and functionality of print access for people who are blind or visually impaired, and those with reading difficulties. The knfbReader Mobile and kReader Mobile software packages run on a multifunction cell phone which allows the user to read mail, receipts, handouts, and many other documents wherever the user happens to be. The knfbReader Mobile software has a feature set which is designed for use by blind or low-vision users. The kReader Mobile is designed for users who have difficulty reading due to learning or language problems.

ClassMate Reader is a portable digital audio book player that helps students increase their reading speed, comprehension, and vocabulary, wherever they go. The audio and highlighted text is synchronized using high quality natural speech. There is an interactive color touch screen with a dictionary and study tools to assist in the learning process. The unit plays DAISY, MP3, MIMAS, text, BookShare, and RFB&D formats.

Victor Reader Stream is a powerful, compact, DAISY/MP3 player that comfortably fits in the palm of your hand. Designed to be used by people who are blind and visually impaired, the Stream plays DAISY, BookShare, RFB&D, NIMAS, BRF, text, WAV, MP3, as well as popular commercial books. It also plays digital talking NLS downloadable books. It can be used as a digital recorder for lectures and class notes and has audio and highlight bookmarks.

Join us on Tuesday, October 27th and learn a little about each of these unique and varied products.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Building or Updating Your Home for Accessibility
Time: 9:00am–11:00am

Location: Conference Center, Richland Medical Park 2, 2 Medical Park Road, Columbia, SC
Instructors: Wesley Farnum and Michael Reed with MyHome Builders, LLC;
Catherine Leigh Graham with the University of South Carolina’s Interagency Office of Disability and Health.

Description: Wesley and Michael are local builders, business owners and realtors. Catherine is a rehabilitation engineer who has been a wheelchair user for over 20 years. They, in conjunction with the SC Assistive Technology Program, are offering this free seminar.

Wesley, Michael, and Catherine will discuss a variety of home design features that can improve accessibility for people with disabilities or those wishing to remain in their homes as they age. The design features covered are common to all homes and are available without sacrificing aesthetics and style. The objective of this seminar is to educate participants on room design, features and products that can make a home more accessible and enjoyable. Listed below are a few of the topics that will be discussed:

Exterior features for accessibility and curb appeal
Kitchen design
Electrical items for safety and comfort
Bath and shower design and products
Flooring that works
Funding options
After the presentation is completed, the presenters will be available for one-on-one questions.
Registration and Cost: Free! There is no fee to register for this seminar, but pre-registration is required.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
“AMPLIFY ! LIFE” – Grab Life by the Phone. How to get specialized phone equipment FREE
Time: 9:00am – 12:30pm

Location: Assistive Technology Resource Center, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia (you can find more information on our directions page)
Presenter: Anne G. Bader, Outreach Coordinator for the South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program (SCEDP)
Workshop Description: SCEDP is a state supported program managed by the S. C. Office of Regulatory Staff and administered by the S. C. School for the Deaf and the Blind.

SCEDP is aware of the daily challenges facing individuals who are hearing or speech impaired. Telecommunications equipment distributed by SCEDP is carefully chosen to cover their various needs, and is distributed at no cost to qualifying South Carolinians. Qualifying disabilities are: hard-of-hearing, deaf, deaf-blind, blind/low vision with hearing loss, or speech impaired.

Class Objectives:

Educate attendees on the procedure to apply for telecommunications equipment available through SCEDP.
Present a hands-on program that allows attendees to use various pieces of telecommunications equipment distributed by SCEDP.
Provide statistics on hearing loss and how it affects everyone involved in that individual’s life.
Emphasis is placed on helping individuals become more independent through use of this free, state supported program. SCEDP classes are presented on PowerPoint to facilitate a stress-free learning environment for attendees who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. ALS interpreters are available upon request.

Registration and Cost: There is no fee to register for this class, but pre-registration is required. Attendance is limited to 18.

Thursday, November 12, 2009
AAC Assessment
Time: 8:30am – 11:30am

Presenters: Dr. Carol Page, Speech-Language Pathologist, SCATP and Val Gioia, Assistive Technology Specialist, SC Department of Education
Location: Lower Level Lecture Hall, 2 Medical Park, 2 Medical Park Road, Columbia, SC

Description: Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC) is a complex issue for many SLPs. Selecting a functional AAC system involves identification of need and personal preferences, team assessment for a symbol system, access to the AAC device, choosing motivating messages and facilitating strategies, providing an appropriate level of technology, report writing, implementation and follow-up. Protocols for performing AAC assessments will be reviewed. Strategies for symbol system assessment across a continuum will be demonstrated to address communication needs of people with low-to-high cognitive abilities. Basic elements of a report for AAC will be identified and discussed.

Cost: There is no cost for this workshop, but pre-registration is required. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 60 participants.

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Tuesday, December 1 – Columbia
Accessible and Usable Web Pages Using CSS
Time: 9 am - 12 pm

Description: Beginning web layout using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Basic ideas, practices, tools and resources for designing a tableless web site using CSS. How CSS affects a site's accessibility and usability. Attendees should have a basic knowledge of html and/or web design layout.

Presenter: CB Averitt, Webmaster, Florence-Darlington Technical College. CB Averitt is the Webmaster at Florence-Darlington Technical College. He is a part of a team of four that is responsible for eleven websites. His responsibilities include web server maintenance, SQL server maintenance, programming, designing and layout. He also works with media such as closed captioning for Adobe Flash Media. His passion is building tableless designs using Cascading Style Sheets. CB also owns and manages Cats Productions, Inc., located in Florence, SC where he designs, builds and maintains several website for local businesses and

December 1 Location:
Midlands Technical College Northeast Campus/Center of Excellence for Technology
151 Powell Road

Thursday, December 10, 2009
AAC Implementation
Time: 8:30am – 11:30am

Presenters: Dr. Carol Page, Speech-Language Pathologist, SCATP and Val Gioia, Assistive Technology Specialist, SC Department of Education
Location: Lower Level Lecture Hall, 2 Medical Park, 2 Medical Park Road, Columbia, SC

Description: Speech-language pathologists recommend augmentative and alternative communication systems without a complete understanding of the capabilities of the devices or how to maximize a child’s use of the device. This training will look at what skills to target for the child and good traits of facilitating communication partners. Communication devices will be discussed regarding how to use them to maximize their capabilities for promoting functional communication. Participants will receive handouts they can use for ideas for therapy objectives.

Cost: There is no cost for this workshop, but pre-registration is required. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 60 participants.

To view the training schedule on the SCATP webpage, please click on the link above.

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