2017 Building Bridges Assistive Technology Conference : Full Schedule

Grant Wood Area Education Agency and the University of Iowa Center for Assistive Technology Education & Research Presents:
The 2017 “Building Bridges: Eastern Iowa Assistive Technology Conference” will provide an opportunity to see first-hand the latest in assistive technologies (AT), practices, and services for school-age students with disabilities. This AT conference will serve as a unique opportunity for professionals, parents, administrators and service providers to exchange and gather information on the current status and assistive technology tools available for consideration.
LINK TO CONFERENCE WEBSITE
LINK TO CONFERENCE RESOURCES

9:30am CDT

Navigating Microsoft Built-in Accessibility for K-12 Learners

This session will inform participants of the built-in accessibility features within Microsoft 365. Participants will learn about Microsoft features that support student learning and accessible course design. The following features will be highlighted during the session: Text to Speech, Speech to Text, Magnifiers, OneNote, Word , and PowerPoint etc.

Speakers

Maggie Butler

PhD Candidate, U of I, Iowa Center for Assistive Technology Education and Research

Maggie Butler is a PhD Candidate at the University of Iowa. Maggie worked as a rehabilitation counselor with transition-aged youth. She also worked with college students with disabilities as the Director/ADA/504 Compliance Officer at a four-year liberal arts college.

Tuesday April 25, 2017 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
American Gothic

Accessibility, Beginner

9:30am CDT

Switch Access on the iPad, Android and Chromebook - Options, Troubleshooting and More!

With new changes in the OS on both the iPad and Android platforms switch access possibilities have certainly evolved! Learn how to pair and connect switches on iPad and Android tablets, assigning switch actions in IOS 9 and Android OS 5 Lollypop and customize settings for Auto Scan and Two Switch Step Scanning. Learn how to utilize Recipes in IOS 9 on iPad as well as customizing VoiceOver on the iPad and Talkback on the Android. Chromebook options will include direct connect, Bluetooth switches, using a head mouse, switch options and online sites with switch accessible programs. Also demonstrated will be troubleshooting tips and tricks, working with the variety of switch solutions on the market, why won't my switch connect and more!

Speakers

Dan Herlihy

Technology Integration Specialist, CTS, Inc.

Dan Herlihy has worked in the education field for over 35 years, from Wilderness Programs for at risk students, Special Education classrooms, Network Administrator, Assistive Technology Resource Specialist and currently providing AT training and professional development for schools... Read More →

Tuesday April 25, 2017 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Autumn/Revere/Stone

Accessibility, Beginner

9:30am CDT

iPad Apps for Executive Functioning

Many students struggle with organizing themselves in school and in their lives causing them to fall behind in school. This session will discuss device features and various apps such as alarms, scheduling apps, reminder apps, organizational apps, homework apps, note-taking apps, voice recognition apps, text-to-speech, etc… Participants will come away with ideas and app suggestions that will assist those struggling student to become more organized and successful in school and beyond.

Speakers

Mark Coppin

Director or Assistive Technology Anne Carlsen Center, Anne Carlsen Center

Mark is the Director of Assistive Technology at the Anne Carlsen Center in Jamestown, ND where he coordinates the provision of assistive technology services for the Center. He also provides technology evaluations and consultation services throughout North Dakota. He has presented... Read More →

Tuesday April 25, 2017 9:30am - 10:20am CDT
Winter/Spring

Everyday Technology, Beginner | Education & Learning, Beginner | Augmentative/Alternative Communication, Beginner | Accessibility, Beginner

10:30am CDT

AEM for ALL

This session will focus on a district's Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) journey. The district embarked on a system-wide approach to provide AEM for ALL in the fall of 2015. The session will tell the story and provide examples of how to get started. The district has participated in the Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials Usability Study aligned to the Specially Designed Instruction Framework in partnership with the Iowa Department of Education and Grant Wood Area Education Agency. The team will provide recommended action steps to support growth towards promising practices in the implementation and provision of AEM.

Speakers

Cheryl Kiburz

Director of Student Services, College Community Schools

Cheryl Kiburz serves as the Director of Student Services for the College Community School District, Cedar Rapids, IA. She completed her teacher preparation at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and her Master’s Degree at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois... Read More →

Lindsay Spears

PK-12 Learning Supports Facilitator, College Community School District

Mrs. Lindsay Spears is the PK-12 Learning Supports Facilitator at College Community School District. Her passion areas include equitable access to curriculum, instruction, and assessment for all students, special education law, Universal Design for Learning, accessibility tools, and... Read More →

AEM for ALL Building Bridges Presentation 4.25.17 pdf

Tuesday April 25, 2017 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
American Gothic

Accessibility, Beginner

10:30am CDT

AAC in the Classroom

Want to learn more about AAC? This presentation will review current research on topics related to AAC, and will provide an overview of strategies implemented in the classroom setting.

Speakers

Judy Redmond

Special Education Teacher, Bettendorf High School

Special Education Teacher for 17 years in Bettendorf School District. Currently teaching HS Level 3 students. B.A. and M.A. from University of Iowa. ATP Certificate from University of Illinois-Chicago. RESNA-Certified ATP.

Tuesday April 25, 2017 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Scale Up

Augmentative/Alternative Communication, Beginner | Accessibility, Beginner

10:30am CDT

Research Tools - Apps, Extensions and More

Whether researching online using an iPad, Chromebook, computer or tablet, having the right tools for support, as well as search tools can have a big impact on access, organization, presentation of information and success. This session will cover online search sites and search tools, Chrome Extensions, apps for tablets, as well as tools embedded within programs. Some students need visuals, others key facts to help them organize. Learn how they can capture information with the source automatically cited, work with side by side windows for researching and note taking, tools providing text to speech for struggling readers and more.

Speakers

Dan Herlihy

Technology Integration Specialist, CTS, Inc.

Tuesday April 25, 2017 10:30am - 11:20am CDT
Autumn/Revere/Stone

Everyday Technology, Beginner | Education & Learning, Beginner | Accessibility, Beginner

12:40pm CDT

Google Accessibility

Speakers

Stacy Behmer

Coordinator of Digital Learning/Media Services, Grant Wood AEA

Stacy is a former elementary and middle school teacher and also spent some time as a district technology director. She is currently the Coordinator of Digital Learning & Media Services at Grant Wood AEA in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she works with a team of digital learning consultants... Read More →

Tuesday April 25, 2017 12:40pm - 2:00pm CDT
Media Center Front

Accessibility, Beginner

12:40pm CDT

From Paper to Electronic: Instant Access to Classroom Content

Do your students need access to printed materials such as worksheets, reading assignments or quizzes right now! Learn how to utilize programs and apps combined with document cameras, and more that can read text on a printed page on the fly without scanning or saving, or take a picture using your tablets or cell phone of a printed document, save it to the cloud for access by your entire class, utilize apps and extensions to read it aloud, save it as a PDF, translate the text into another language, and even read aloud in that language. Now need to write, draw or fill in the blanks on those documents? Apps and programs with TTS and easy to use options for typing, writing, drawing, using voice recognition to answer questions, recording your own voice directly onto the page and more!

Speakers

Dan Herlihy

Technology Integration Specialist, CTS, Inc.

Tuesday April 25, 2017 12:40pm - 2:00pm CDT
Autumn/Revere/Stone

Education & Learning, Beginner | Accessibility, Beginner

12:40pm CDT

Book Creator iPad App: Let's Write a Story

The iPad is a wonderful tool for creating content for the diverse learner. Book Creator for the iPad is an excellent app for creating a wide variety of materials to support our students. In this session, participants will have hands-on with the Book Creator app and will learn how to create and adapt stories to support their students. Participants will learn how to add text, images, video, music, narration and publishing. We will also discuss implementation strategies as well as best practices.

Speakers

Mark Coppin

Director or Assistive Technology Anne Carlsen Center, Anne Carlsen Center

Tuesday April 25, 2017 12:40pm - 2:00pm CDT
Winter/Spring

Everyday Technology, Beginner | Education & Learning, Beginner | Augmentative/Alternative Communication, Beginner | Accessibility, Beginner

12:40pm CDT

Supports for Learning & Performance for ALL

Educational reforms at both the national and state level strengthen the need to consider accessibility supports to address the broad continuum of needs of all learners. Supports and accommodations are part of the multi-tiered system of supports implemented in Iowa schools to help learners achieve educational standards and expectations. This session will outline a process building teams can utilize to inform decision-making around the provision of supports for learning and performance and accommodations for a broad range of learner-need.

https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk-12/learner-supports/supports-learning-and-performance

Speakers

Maggie Pickett

Digital Learning Consultant and Digital Learning Consultant, Grant Wood AEA

Maggie is a certified speech-language pathologist. Her passion in education resides in creating engaging and accessible learning opportunities for all learners in Mutli-Tiered Systems of Support. For over a decade Maggie has worked with teachers, students, administrators, para-professionals... Read More →

Tuesday April 25, 2017 12:40pm - 2:00pm CDT
American Gothic

Everyday Technology, Beginner | Education & Learning, Beginner | Augmentative/Alternative Communication, Beginner | Accessibility, Beginner

2:10pm CDT

Built-in Accessibility via AEA Online Resources

Accessibility is key to meeting the needs of our students. Come and learn about the AEA online resources available through GWAEA Media that are accessible in bridging a gap in student learning. See how the features of text-to-speech, font size, highlighting, and notetaking can help bridge your students learning.

Speakers

Kathleen Goslinga

Media Assistant, Grant Wood AEA

Kathleen Goslinga has spent her entire professional career at Grant Wood AEA and currently serves as an Online Resources Specialist through the Media Center. She has obtained a BA in Communications Training and Technology and an MA in Communications Media from the University of Northern... Read More →

Deanna Weber

Teacher Librarian, Wilson Middle School

I love to learn new things! I guess you could say I'm passionate about lifelong learning. Great ideas motivate me and I enjoy collaborating with my peers and gaining new perspectives and experiences. I also enjoy time with my daughters and husband. I as Teacher Librarian for Wilson... Read More →

Tuesday April 25, 2017 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Media Center Front

Accessibility, Beginner

2:10pm CDT

On-Screen Keyboards for Tablets & Chromebooks - Customizing your Screen

On-Screen keyboards can provide visual supports for writing via color coded keys, alternate fonts, larger keys, and even handwriting recognition allow students to use a stylus to write. Other support tools include word prediction, voice recognition in keyboards on all platforms, mathematical symbols and even a Sign Language Emoji's and animated GIFs keyboard. Learn how to download, install and activate them including adjusting the order of keyboards that can be displayed on iPads, changing on the fly on Android tablets, customizing and setting defaults, customizable keyboards for Mac and PC, international keyboard keys and layouts and more.

Speakers

Dan Herlihy

Technology Integration Specialist, CTS, Inc.

Tuesday April 25, 2017 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Autumn/Revere/Stone

Accessibility, Beginner

3:10pm CDT

Access via Alternate Keyboards and Adapted Mice

We will explore possibilities of using alternative keyboards and mice for students who have physical difficulty accessing technology in the classroom. We will also introduce apps and programs to support access to iPads and PCs for increasing participation in math and literacy.

Speakers

Monica Packard

Occupational Therapist, Grant Wood AEA

Monica has been an Occupational Therapist for 18 years in the public school setting. She has worked in Chicago Public Schools, Indianapolis Public Schools and currently works for Grant Wood AEA in Iowa. She was a lead therapist for Chicago Public Schools for 3 years and is currently... Read More →

LeAnn Trana

Occupational Therapist, Grant Wood AEA

Tuesday April 25, 2017 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Grant Wood

Accessibility, Beginner