2010 OSEP Leadership Mega ConferenceCollaboration to Achieve Success from

Cradle to Career

Lesli Girard – Families Together

Sean J. Smith – University of Kansas

lesli@familiestogetherinc.org - seanj@ku.eduParents

S1 – 112 Parents

Meaningful Family Involvement• Where are we?– Access– Use

• Do we Integrate? What can AT/IT Do?

• Within the General/Special Education Initiatives

• The term "assistive technology device" means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

What are we talking about?

Carter is a social energetic 6th grader who was identified with a learning disability in the 2nd grade. Challenged in the areas of reading and writing, his current IEP focuses on fluency and comprehension issues (e.g., identifying main idea, vocabulary) as well as the structuring/organizing ideas, vocabulary use, spelling, the mechanics of writing, and legibility.

OK, let’s assume AT/IT can serve Carter – – How would you determine the

appropriate AT/IT for Carter?–What process would you follow to

determine AT/IT solutions?–What framework would you

consider?–Who would you consult with

beyond your IEP Team?

1. Assistive technology needs must be considered along with the child's other educational needs as part of the IEP Process.

• Lack of availability of equipment or cost alone cannot be used as an excuse for denying an assistive technology service.

• Identification of technology needs must involve family members and a multidisciplinary team.

1. Parents or IEP members can ask for additional evaluation or an independent evaluation to determine AT needs.

• Involve the Team – Those that Know your Child the Best

• Focus on the Challenges–Reading–Writing–Organization–Communication–What they can’t do!

• Resources for AT/IT Consideration & Assessment

• Frameworks Used• Indicators to Consider

• AT in the IEP– How we Perceive the IEP Process– Roles of the IEP Team Members

• Challenges with the AT Consideration Process– Lack of Personnel– Lack of Knowledge– Lack of Time

• AT Abandonment

• AT/IT – Family Needs?– Research/Literature– Family Friendly?– Family Focused?

2010 OSEP Leadership Mega ConferenceCollaboration to Achieve Success from

Cradle to Career

Text-to-Speech Applications

• Free text-to-speech software

• Customize font and background color

• Reads text via Windows or Mac

• Reads e-mail emoticons such as :) or :(

• Adjustable voice speed (rate)

• Tool bar option of Copy/Paste Clip Board

http://www.naturalreaders.com/

Text-to-Speech Applications

Premier Accessibility Suite– www.readingmadeez.com– Text-to-speech software– Audio output - multiple

voices– Highlights text as it

speaks– Static Toolbar

Texthelp - Read and Write Gold– www.texthelp.com– Text-to-speech software– Audio output - multiple

voices– Highlights text as it

speaks– Reads on fly for any

application

Your students will: • Apply reading strategies to improve

understanding and fluency • Read and interpret a variety of

literary works • Understand and acquire new

vocabulary • Monitor their own comprehension

and make modifications when understanding breaks down

• Answer different types and levels of questions such as open-ended, literal, and interpretative as well as test-like questions such as multiple choice and short answer

• Paraphrase and summarize text to recall, inform, or organize ideas

• Describe mental images that text descriptions evoke

Thinking Reader

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/07/29/kindle.cheap/index.html?hpt=T2

Graphic Organizers

Gist Plan• GIST is designed

from the ground up for use in classrooms incorporating the Content Enhancement Routines. Developed with the KU-CRL, GIST offers a robust tool set for educators to create and present CE devices with diverse learners, teaching critical content to all.

• www.gistplan.com

2010 OSEP Leadership Mega ConferenceCollaboration to Achieve Success from

Cradle to Career

Discovery LearningAnimoto &

KerPoof

2010 OSEP Leadership Mega ConferenceCollaboration to Achieve Success from

Cradle to Career

Universal Design for LearningResponse to Intervention

Multiple Means of1. Representation2. Expression3. Engagement

• PM - Data to ensure success• Tiers of Interventions – Tiers

of Tools• Problem Solving – Ongoing

Consideration• EBP – Effective tools

Applications feature Progress Monitoring Tools

–Science Writer–Write Outloud–Read 180–Host of other software applications

Connecting the EBP to Technology Tools

–Graphic Organizers–Writing Applications–Explicit/Direct Instruction–Big Ideas/Setting Context

Where do we go from here?• Examine Connections– Discuss within RtI Model– Be at the table

• Make the connections for the field– AT/IT & PM– AT/IT & EBP

2010 OSEP Leadership Mega ConferenceCollaboration to Achieve Success from

Cradle to Career

Thank You

Resources can be found at:

http://seanjsmith.pbworks.com/OSEP2010