Assistive Technology Trainings

Check out these free or low cost assistive technology trainings offered by the SC Assistive Technology Program. You can find more details and registration information at https://uscmed.sc.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=f270938dc4044289a5a99dcea260d25a&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.sc.edu
%2fscatp%2ftrainingschedule.html .

SCATP Trainings
9/21/2012 - Adapted Art Make 'n Take - Erin Bellinder, Carol Page
Examples of how to create art using common objects around the home or classroom will be demonstrated. The fundamentals of appropriately selecting and the functional use of various art supports will 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 project(s) home.

9/21/2012 - Adapted Music Make 'n Take - Erin Bellinder, Carol Page
Examples of how to create musical instruments using common objects around the home or classroom will be demonstrated. The fundamentals of appropriately selecting and the functional use of various music instruments will 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 project(s) home.

10/10/2012 - NOVA Chat Series Mini-Workshop - Ken Whitley
The new NOVA chat 10 (10” touchscreen) and NOVA chat 7 (7” touchscreen) will be demonstrated. These are ground-breaking picture and word-based dynamic display communication devices that offer features found in no other including ChatPC and TouchChat functionality, a Social Chat feature with social networks like Facebook and Twitter, many vocabulary files (over 30) for both literate and emerging literate clients, built-in camera and flash, Ivona speech synthesizer (including child, teen, & adult voices), and 4 color body shells included.

11/9/2012 - AMPLIFY! LIFE - Jordyn Funderburk
Telecommunications equipment distributed by SCEDP is carefully chosen to cover 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. This workshop provides an opportunity to have hands-on use of the various pieces of telecommunications equipment distributed by SCEDP. Emphasis is placed on helping individuals become more independent through use of this free, state supported program. Participants will learn the procedure to apply for telecommunications equipment available through SCEDP.
SC Dept. of Education Technology Thursday Trainings
9/20/12 - Microsoft Accessibility - Val Gioia
In this workshop, you will be able to personalize your PC with Microsoft Accessibility Options and will learn the value of accessibility and how it facilitates learning in the classroom. Educators and service providers are often unaware of the many tools that are available for free through Microsoft. We will go over various accessibility options such as Speech Recognition, tools for individuals with visual impairments, scanning with Microsoft’s on-screen keyboard, and many more. We will also present various classroom scenarios to demonstrate practical use of the Microsoft Accessibility features.

9/27/12 - Intermediate Boardmaker - Val Gioia
Basic Boardmaker experience is needed for this workshop which will focus on creating visual supports, importing pictures and saving them, using the Boardmaker Plus! Software to create an alternative augmentative communication device on a laptop computer or interactive whiteboard, and using the templates that are included on the Boardmaker Plus! Supplemental CD. This is a hands-on workshop that guides you through the Boardmaker Plus! Software and give you the ability to create wonderful visual supports and communication opportunities for students in your classroom.

10/18/12 - Free Digital Books - Val Gioia
There are numerous open source literacy websites that are available for free access to literature in the classroom. Many of these websites have text-to-speech included with the literature or can be downloaded in a digital format to be accessed with iPads and iPods, Android devices, Kindles, and MP3 players. In this workshop, we will review the various literacy websites and demonstrate how to download books in various formats. We will discuss how these literacy websites can be used in conjunction with free text-to-speech software. You will also learn the criteria needed to get accounts from Bookshare and Learning Ally.

11/8/12 - Bookshare - Val Gioia
The U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has funded access to Bookshare for all U.S. print-disabled students in K-12, post-secondary, graduate and continuing education classes, but meeting the criteria and getting the texts can be tricky. We will go over the exact criteria needed to get a Bookshare account and how books can be searched for, requested, and downloaded through various formats. We will also go over Don Johnston’s Read Out Loud text-to speech program that is included with your Bookshare account.

12/6/12 - OneNote and SkyDrive - Val Gioia
Staying organized has never been easier for students and adults with Microsoft’s OneNote software. Microsoft OneNote gives you the ideal place to store and share your information in a single, easy-to-access location. Capture text, images, as well as video and audio notes with OneNote. In this workshop we will learn all about the organizational concepts of OneNote software and create an organizational file that can be accessed anywhere as long as you have internet connectivity. Microsoft’s SkyDrive is an on-line storage program with a large storage capacity that will be used in conjunction with Microsoft OneNote for this workshop.

1/17/13 - Assistive Technology for Math and Science - Val Gioia
Assistive technology is needed for all parts of the curriculum and, in this workshop, resources will be shared that can help in the areas of math and science. Many of these resources can be used in conjunction with interactive white boards. Some of the programs we will focus on are online calculators, interactive websites, and programs that will motivate students in these areas. iPad apps that have been shown to be successful for students who need help with math and science will be demonstrated.

2/7/13 - Free Literacy Supports for Special Needs Students - Val Gioia
There are many free or low-cost literacy supports for students who have disabilities or who are struggling with reading fluency and comprehension. Many of the resources that will be demonstrated can be implemented in the classroom on a daily basis with little effort. Students who have experienced failure in academics might be motivated when they realize what tools can help them to achieve academic success. The Universal Design for Learning concept for all learning styles will be addressed with all these supports.

4/11/13 - Written Productivity Including Note-Taking Pens and Software - Val Gioia
Many students experience problems with writing and this workshop will show some of the resources that are available to help with writing difficulties. Motor problems will be addressed as well as processing and organizational concerns that many students have trouble with. We will review various programs that are low-cost or free, as well as several note-taking pens that help with writing, organization, and study skills. We will also go over speech recognition programs and the criteria that students need to meet to have success with them.

Other AT Trainings
Agencies and Companies that offer Trainings on Assistive Technology

To read more about the trainings, please click on the above title.
To access the CDR Library catalog, please click on this link.