MORNING EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS - April 15, 2010 - LAST YEAR
Currently scheduled topics (subject to change). Sessions will be held on April 15, 2010 from 8:00am - 12:00pm.
Excel document of sessions with time and room names. (Click here to open in another window.)
8:00am -8:50am
Save the Environment and Your Pocketbook through Reuse
Participants will learn how medical waste contributes to environmental concerns and what they can do to help. They will learn how and where to access free or low cost durable medical equipment and supplies. They will also learn how and where to donate items they no longer need for reuse by another individual with a health care need. An overview of Project HERO, Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization will be given. HERO promotes recycling through redistribution to promote environmental stewardship as well as improved health.
By attending this session you will:
1. Learn how medical waste negatively affects our environment and the positive impact you can have in your communities by practicing recycling through redistribution.
2. Through informative learning, you will gain knowledge about the increase in underserved, uninsured and low income individuals and families who seek HERO’s healthcare materials to live healthy and safely.
Presenter(s):
Joyce Newton, HERO
Joyce provides informational presentations on agency services provided to various groups (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, churches, etc.) one to four times a month. She has done this for over 17 years.
Room: Bach
Get Inspired While Learning About AT for your Feet
Need encouragement? Sheri will inspire you with her determination and grace in her fight with MS. In addition, Sheri will explain how she uses various types of assistive technology to increase her independence and mobility. For this session, Sheri has teamed up with Benita Nordenstrom, a certified pedorthist with Foot Solutions. Benita and Sheri will demonstrate and explain the assistive technology solutions that Sheri uses to help make her goal of living an active life attainable.
By attending this session you will:
1. Learn about various AT products such as: devices to aid in mobility & balance (e.g., orthotics, specialized shoes) and to aid in dressing (e.g., Velcro closures).
2. Understand how those products can help increase independence and mobility.
3. Apply this knowledge to selecting products that can help improve quality of life.
Presenter(s):
Sheri Paulsen
Sheri Paulson is an MS advocate and motivational speaker whose focus is on helping people to live a more active lifestyle, no matter their age or physical condition. Sherri has a degree from Mayville State University and does Biogen Idec Patient Programs as a training advocate.
Benita Nordenstrom, Foot Solutions
Benita Nordenstrom is a certified pedorthist with Foot Solutions of Fargo, ND. Foot Solutions utilizes advanced computerized scanning technologies to determine the optimum solution for people experiencing common foot problems.
Room: Mozart
Logan ProxTalker – AT Voice Output
ProxTalker is an Assistive Technology voice output device designed specifically to address the needs of PECS users who are not yet ready for a dynamic screen device, but have exceeded the capabilities of a fixed position voice output device. The fundamental difference between fixed position devices and the Logan ProxTalker is the fact that the sound Tags can be moved as desired and there is no need to change levels or cards in order to change words. The ease of use and versatility provides a major benefit to the user in terms of practical voice output using symbols. This offers a reduced dependence on others. The Logan ProxTalker has no menus so users who struggle with menu driven systems will find it easy to use. There is no complicated programming required so using the Pro Talker is easier for the support team as well This product has been very successful with students with Autism, non-verbal children, Down Syndrome, visually impaired and many others that are struggling with speech.
Presenter(s):
James Rogers and Mary Jane Rogers, Cadan Computers dba Technology For Education
James Rogers has been President of Technology for Education for 25 years. James is a graduate of University of Notre Dame and has a Masters Degree from Metro State University. He is also a licensed instructor at St. Paul Technology College.
Room: Overture
8:00am - 9:50amImplementation is the Key to Success: Augmentative Communication
This session will look at the variety of ways you can work on different vocabulary for different settings allowing for generalization to occur. We will also look at how you can use one word to mean a variety of different things in different settings. During this course, participates will be able to identify at least 3 different ways to implement the top 20 words in a variety of different settings. Participates will look at the variety of ways you can work on different vocabulary for different settings allowing for generalization to occur.
By attending this session you will:
1. Identify what is a core word
2. Identify the importance of using the core words across settings
3. Show how to use the same word in at least 3 different activities
4. Know how to expand on what the user is currently doing
Presenter(s):
Helen Canfield and Anthony Arnold from Prentke Romich Company – Helen and Anthony are Regional Consultants for the Prentke Romich Company.
Room: Brahms
Literacy Supports for the 21st Century Learner
Today’s technologies open a whole range of opportunities for those students who are struggling with reading and literacy. This hands-on session will focus on software and hardware solutions that will help struggling readers and writers. In this session we will discuss Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction and how these can assist today’s struggling learners... We will also cover solutions and strategies to involve and engage every student in literacy activities.
At the end of this hands-on session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify features and applications built into the operating systems that can support struggling students.
2. Identify on-line resources to assist the struggling readers.
3. Identify several applications to assist the struggling reader such as, picture assisted literacy, text-to-speech, and iPod apps.
Presenter(s):
Mark Coppin, Anne Carlsen School
Mark Coppin, ATP, has 23 years of experience working in various capacities at Anne Carlsen Center, Jamestown, N.D. He began as a special education instructor in 1987, and also served four years as director of summer programming, and two years as interim director of educational services. He was a classroom teacher until 1992 when he became Director of Assistive Technology and Director of IT. As Director of Assistive Technology, he coordinated the provision of assistive technology services for the Center. He is also a member of the outreach technology team, which provides evaluations and consultation services throughout North Dakota. Coppin has attended and presented at state, regional, and national conferences on such topics as technology and teaching, special education, video production, assistive technology and traumatic brain injuries. He holds two degrees: Bachelor's degrees from Moorhead (MN) State University in speech communications and in special education. Mark is also a certified ATP (Assistive Technology Practitioner) through RESNA. In 2009, Coppin was chosen as an Apple Distinguished educator. Coppin was nominated for the 1988 North Dakota ARC Teacher of the Year and the 1992 National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year. Mark Coppin, ATP, has a BA in Speech Communication with an emphasis in Radio/TV/ Film Production and a BS in Special Education. Coppin is certified through RESNA as an ATP (Assistive Technology Professional).
Room: Mozart
9:00am -9:50am
Computer Access and Learning for Occupational Therapy, Visual Impairment, and Autism with the Satalight™
This presentation shows a fully contained interactive learning station accessible to people with significant physical and/or learning disabilities, including those in wheelchairs. We will show its ease of use with simple maneuvers and adjustments, allowing accessibility to the physically challenged students while conforming to a student’s reach. We will demonstrate the large interface of the 48-inch touch screen and its ease of use with any software in the market today, as well as how it is being used in our special needs classrooms with web sites and other educational software that are used daily in the classroom with the satalight™.
By attending this session you will:
1. Increase your awareness of computer accessibility and how to overcome AT challenges in Occupational Therapy, visual impairment ,and autism
2. See educational software and websites that are AT friendly,
3. Discuss software design criteria and best practices to consider when selecting software for special needs students.
Presenter(s):
Michael Palecek, InfoCor
Palecek has 30 years experience as an educational technologist, doing professional development for thousands of teachers. He has written three books on SMART Board use in education, and serves as InfoCor’s product manager for the satalight™ interactive workstation for special needs users.
Room: Bach
Speech Recognition for on Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) and Captioning
This session will present new Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) and captioning technologies that lower the cost and increase the availability of captions for live events, classes and media. These new technologies include the use of speech recognition and automated captioning. This session will compare the new technologies to traditional CART and captioning technology and discuss two new technologies: Caption Mic and CaptionSync.
By attending this session you will:
1. Learn how to lower the cost of accessible events and media
2. Gain control over the process
3. Provide meaningful employment for persons with or without disabilities.
Presenter(s):
Mark Hall, Mark Hall Sales Associates LLC
Mark has a BBA in Marketing and Certificate in Electrical Engineering.
Room: Etude
Funding for AT
This session will explore the various public and private sources available to fund assistive technology. Participants will learn about the “ins and outs” of these funding sources in order to be able to proceed effectively and confidently. Time will be made available for individual participants wishing to share their specific circumstances for group discussion.
After attending this session participants will be able to:
1. Describe basic information required by typical funding sources
2. Identify appropriate AT funding sources for their particular needs
3. Develop steps to pursue AT funding for themselves and/or others
Presenter(s):
Mike Haring, ND IPAT
Mike Haring is one of the Assistive Technology Coordinators in IPAT’s Fargo Technology Access Center. His role within IPAT is to provide direct assistance to individuals and professionals seeking assistive technology support and to provide training on various assistive technology topics and equipment. Mike is in his fourth decade of work within the disability field, primarily in the area of mental retardation/developmental disabilities. Throughout all of these years of service he has maintained a commitment to the advancement of assistive technology in community, as well as, institutional settings.
Room: Overture
10:00am - 10:50am
CANCELLED - Assistance Dogs: Technology to Expand Independence at Home and in Public This presentation is focused on opening people’s awareness to specially trained dogs as assistive technology for the use of overcoming limitations caused by many disabilities. It is important for people to learn about the availability of these tools and who they can work with. It is also important for people to understand that these tools have the ability to travel with their partners and expand independence in all areas of their lives. I will have a working assistance dog with me for demonstration on behaviors and a sample of skills used by people working with these canines to become more independent.
Presenter(s):
Kristin Hartness Law, Canines for Disabled Kids
Room: Mozart
10:00am - 11:50am
Enhancing Living with ALS through Tips, Tools and Technology
After attending this session, participants will
1. Understand the services available to persons with ALS (PALS) within our region.
2. Describe assistive technology and augmentative communication devices available to assist PALS to reach their individual goals throughout the progression of the illness.
3. Have a hands-on opportunity with a selection of assistive technology and augmentative communication devices commonly used with PALS.
MeritCare Therapies and the ALS Association, MN chapter (now serving North Dakota), are working together to provide an interdisciplinary, comprehensive team approach to providing care to persons with ALS (PALS). Our goal is to assist the patient and family throughout the progression of their illness so that they can continue to lead a life that is as meaningful and fulfilling as possible.
Presentation includes information about the services available through The ALS Association and MeritCare Therapies including education and hands-on opportunity with a variety of assistive technology and augmentative communication options that can be used to meet the individual needs of the PALS and their family.
Presenter(s):
Sue Hanson, MeritCare Health Systems
Sue Hanson is an Occupational Therapist with MeritCare Health System. She earned her degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota. She joined MeritCare in 1998. She has a special interest in assistive technology and the treatment of persons with neurological disorders.
Maureen Fredrickson, MeritCare Health Systems
Marie Hendrickson is a Speech-Language Pathologist at MeritCare Health System. Marie earned her degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has a special interest in augmentative/alternative communication. She began her initial work with persons who use AAC in 2003. At MeritCare, she provides evaluation and treatment to patients with ALS.
Linda Lorentzen
ALS Association – Minnesota Chapter
Linda is an occupational Therapist (OTR/L), Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and the Patient Services Director at the ALS Association – Minnesota Chapter. Linda Lorentzen in an Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and the Patient Services Director at the ALS Association – Minnesota Chapter. Prior to her current position, she had 24 years clinical experience in assistive technology, seating and wheeled mobility, and home accessibility. She presents on these topics both locally and nationally.
Room: Bach
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Assistive Technology For ALL Students: Read&Write GOLD Software
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) success can be reached in many ways using Read&Write GOLD software. This session is a snapshot of how text-to-speech, word prediction, speech-to-text, visual organizers and many more student tools found in Read&Write GOLD are helping many levels of learners read, write, organize and research independently. Read&Write GOLD removes the stigma of traditional Assistive Technologies by offering all of these tools inside of Microsoft Word, on the Internet, in PDFs, and in most other formats students are already using. A demonstration of the software, including its ability to read the MAP TEST (NWEA), will be presented and all attendees will receive free trial software and a chance to win a USB/mobile device of Read&Write GOLD.
By attending this session you will:
1. Identify successful implementation techniques for district-wide UDL success with integrated Assistive Technologies
2. Understand how text-to-speech and other Assistive Technologies can facilitate independent academic achievement for all levels of students.
Presenter(s):
Paul Brown, TextHELP Systems
Paul is a 6th grade teacher and technology coach. He is also a Manager for Discovery Education Streaming (Unitedstreaming).
Room: Brahms
Hearing Loss: Is Technology “The Answer”?
Through explanation, discussion and demonstration, participants will leave this session with knowledge of:
1. The importance of treatment of hearing loss (including use of assistive technology) for maintaining social connectedness with family and community.
2. Assistive listening, alerting, captioning, and telecommunications technologies available to ameliorate the impact of hearing loss.
3. Combinations of factors that impact utility and availability of assistive technology for individuals with hearing loss, including incidence, causes, types, and degree, and technology development, limitations, and cost.
4. How to utilize technology to improve everyday communication.
5. How to access information and technology in the region and on-line.
Presenter(s):
Marcia L. Schutt, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services: Moorhead
Marcia Schutt has worked with hearing loss issues for 30+ years through education and human services, including her current job as regional consultant for MN Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. She has MS: Vocation Education from University of ND; BS: Education of the Deaf from Minot State University.
Room: Etude
Latest in Low Vision and Blindness Technology
If you want to have some fun learning about Low Vision and Blindness products here is the presentation you want to hear. In this presentation The Low Vision will bring the latest technology for low vision and blind individuals.
At the end of this session, participants will:
1. Know the latest AT for reading machines portable reading machines such as Topaz, desk set, and RUBY.
2. Know the latest in AT for blindness products, such as notebooks, refreshable Braille, and GPS.
Presenter(s):
Erick Nelson, The Low Vision Store
Erick Nelson has been in the Low Vision business for over nine years dealing with many different low vision reading machines and low vision software. He is familiar with multiple types of reading machines. He has trained people in the use of many different types of reading machines. He also works and trains on low vision products such as zoom text and magic installations with new products being added every year.
Room: Overture
11:00am - 11:50am
Augmentative & Alternative Communication 101 for Families
Learning about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can be an overwhelming and intimidating process for families to go through. This class will provide families new to AAC·with an overview of what AAC encompasses from low to high tech. It will describe the AAC evaluation process and address key questions parents should have answered after completing an evaluation. This course will also describe common obstacles families may encounter during the AAC process and possible resolutions. A family/parent forum will conclude the session with parents at differ· points in the AAC continuum available to discuss their personal experiences and answer questions.
By attending this session you will:
1. Gain a general understanding of AAC from low to high tech.
2. Have key questions that should be answered during the AAC evaluation process.
3. Increase your knowledge and confidence regarding the AAC process and feel better equipped to advocate for your child's AAC needs.
Presenter(s):
Katie Bergh, Pediatric Therapy Partners
Katie Bergh is a speech-language pathologist at Pediatric Therapy Partners. She received her Room: Bachelor of Science degree in Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Katie has experience working with the pediatric population in outpatient, early intervention, and elementary settings.
Jennie Wollan, Pediatric Therapy Partners
Jennie Wollan is a speech-language pathologist with Pediatric Therapy Partners. She received her Room: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of North Dakota. She received her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Jennie has worked with both the pediatric and adult populations. She has practiced speech-language pathology within the medical setting as well as providing outpatient services.
Room: Mozart