Date/Location:

December 5-6, 2019, Franklin, TN

Description:

A wide range of assistive technologies and commercial technologies with multi-purpose applications are available that can be used to serve the special needs of our students with physical, intellectual, and/or learning disabilities in the classroom setting.  Educators and clinicians working with this student population must receive regular professional development training to learn to use all manner of assistive technology tools to modify the environment and the curriculum to support access, adapted communication, active engagement and learning.  Now in its 14th year, the TAAT Conference has annually offered more than 40+ hours of instruction over one and one-half days to teachers, administrators, therapists, technology specialists and families of student users from across the state. 

The focus of this year’s event is the need for a team approach to considering and using AT to meet diverse student needs in the school setting. Sessions will focus on a global approach to intervention, with input from all stakeholders while addressing a wide range of topics and tools. Topic examples include: the use of visual and core vocabulary supports for adapting communication, using AEM to support literacy, accessibility of the classroom environment using SMART technologies for students with physical challenges, providing accommodations for students with visual and/or hearing impairments, using a range of AAC interventions to foster visually-supported communication, accessing community resources, adapting academic instruction and assessment for access and participation, use of commercially available software technologies (such as PowerPoint) for improving curriculum access, high-tech speech generating device usage for students with a range of communication challenges, use of switches and adaptive tools for increased computer accessibility for both education and recreation, assessment and review of mobile device apps and software supports, the role of IEP team roles, and more.

Speakers:

A list provided at: https://www.taat.org/

Learning Outcomes:

Describe the benefits of using a team approach for identification, implementation and supporting the use of AT within the IEP process

Describe potential uses of commercially available SMART tools and programs as assistive technologies

Identify a range of adaptive access options for students with complex physical disabilities and communication needs.

Identify the continuum of no-tech to high-tech supports that can be used for alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) supports to students with speech and language impairments

Understand and describe the importance of using AT supports for students with physical and/or cognitive disabilities that affect learning

Modify academic instruction and related materials using a wide range of AT strategies and commercially available tools to support students with special needs

Identify a number of common tools or programs that can be used to create visual supports for children with speech and language impairments and/or intellectual disabilities

Identify student groups who might benefit from specific technologies

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CEUs This activity is offered for up to 1.0 CEUs (10.0 hours of instruction). To register for CEUs:  

Download and complete the following forms.

Save the files names: 191206_TAAT_Lastname_Firstname

Send both files to ceus@aacinstitute.org

Upon completion of the two forms and passing the quiz, a CEU certificate will be sent

Note: If any difficulty is encountered in using this form, write to ceus@aacinstitute.org to request an alternative file format.