Empowering individuals with disabilities, including those with neurodiversity such as autism, ADHD, and TBI, to succeed in post-secondary transitions requires intentional implementation of assistive technology (AT) supports. This presentation will explore how a curated digital toolbox can set students up for success in vocational rehabilitation and higher education. Participants will gain practical strategies for assessing individual needs, selecting appropriate AT tools, and fostering digital literacy. Evidence-based practices will highlight how AT solutions, including built-in accessibility features, text-to-speech, organizational apps, and productivity software, promote independence and improve outcomes. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles will be integrated to demonstrate how AT can benefit a wide range of learners. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to create personalized digital toolboxes that bridge the gap between secondary education.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the role of assistive technology in supporting executive functioning, literacy, and productivity for post-secondary transitions.
- Apply the SETT framework to assess individual technology needs and select appropriate AT solutions
- Explore evidence-based digital tools, including built-in accessibility features, and strategies for fostering independence in vocational and academic settings.
In today’s ever-evolving technological landscape, the availability of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) solutions continues to expand. Among the leading providers, PRC-Saltillo stands out with its Accent, NovaChat, and Via line of devices, offering a range of vocabularies and features tailored to meet diverse communication needs. In this interactive workshop, participants will delve into the AAC with a focus on these cutting-edge devices, discovering both the practical functionalities and the fun elements they bring to the table.
Learning Outcomes
- Explore the versatile features of PRC-Saltillo's AAC devices, including Accent, NovaChat, and Via, to enhance communication and engagement.
- Learn innovative ways to integrate AAC devices into classroom activities, leveraging their capabilities to support language learning and social interaction.
- Gain hands-on experience in customizing communication boards and visual supports using the intuitive interfaces of Accent, NovaChat, and Via devices.
As both education and the workplace continue to change with approaches and digital content, questions surrounding assistive technology arise. Over the last few years, the assistive technology marketplace has been inundated with devices that are being made as inexpensively as possible with the intent of competing with stable and research-based devices already in the mainstream. As both schools and workplaces seek to create access for all, limitations from budget constraints and a lack of understanding of what really works can cause individuals to be less than adequately supported in their environment. Join us as we review and discuss the research behind assistive technology which works and how older devices can be repurposed to create both inclusivity and awareness.
Learning Outcomes
- Attendees will experience major AT devices through hands-on activities
- Attendees will review the research behind assistive technology to assist in identifying the devices which are most effective
- Attendees will understand how to repurpose older assistive technology to make their environments more inclusive
This presentation explores the crucial role of executive function (EF) skills in reading instruction and how differentiating instruction can effectively support individuals with learning disabilities. By focusing on Structured Literacy and its integration with EF principles, we aim to provide educators with a deep understanding of how to tailor their teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of learners. The session will highlight practical approaches to differentiate instruction, ensuring that all students, regardless of their EF profiles or learning challenges, can achieve improved reading outcomes and engagement with written material.
Learning Outcomes
- Educators will understand executive function (EF) skills and their impact on reading, refining teaching methods to meet learners’ needs.
- Educators will tailor instruction to enhance students’ reading comprehension by recognizing EF’s role in decoding and engagement.
- Participants will gain metacognitive techniques, lesson-planning approaches, and methods to foster EF development, improving reading outcomes for learners.
