EASTER SEALS MASSACHUSETTS

PRESENTS

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION

May 2, 2012

Coco Key Hotel and Water Resort

Danvers, MA

              The AT Expo is sponsored by MassMATCH     

ATTENDEE INFORMATION:

To register, please complete the Attendee Registration Form

Early Bird Registration Deadline for Attendees: March 30th Hear what past attendees have to say: “Much better than anything else I’ve been to this year" "This conference was extremely informative. The Expo was great - tons of useful info”   Please contact Rufina at rkennedy@eastersealsma.org for more information

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION:

Are you interested in exhibiting or advertising?  This is a great opportunity
to highlight assistive technology related products and services. 

Please complete the AT Expo Spring 2012 Exhibitor Registration Form.

Early Bird Registration Deadline for Exhibitors: March 16th What past exhibitors have to say: “It's good that people are able to mingle as much as they do, and nice that you allow the exhibitors to attend sessions!  That's very different.”  “The Easter Seals conference is very well organized.  You also set up exhibitor times with the exhibitors and attendees in mind.”  “Excellent vendor participation, very organized and well run. I’m impressed!”  “We made excellent contacts and learned a great deal”   Please contact Paula at pbrown@eastersealsma.org  for more information

Session Overview

Session 1: 9:30AM– 11:00AM

1. Assistive Technology and the Americans with Disabilities Act: When is Assistive Technology Required?

Presenter:  Kathy Gips

This session will review the laws that may require assistive technology and focus on assistive technology in employment: who has rights to assistive technology, what are examples of assistive technology, how  "undue hardship" is determined, what is the process for requesting assistive technology, and who pays for the evaluation and the technology.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Describe who has the rights to assistive technology in the workplace.
• List examples of assistive technology
• Explain the factors for how “undue hardship” is determined
• Describe the process for requesting the need for AT in the workplace.

 2. Print Accessibility – The Tools that Make it Happen

Presenters:  Brian MacDonald and Catherine H. Bly

Ms. Bly will introduce you to various book libraries, inventories and devices on the market today for listening, reading and obtaining books in an accessible format.  A variety of sources such as your public library, Bookshare, NLS, Learning Ally, Google and Amazon Books will be discussed.  Devices that are used for playing accessible books will be shown as well.  National Braille Press, a non-profit publisher of braille, is developing an affordable tablet for the blind.  Mr. MacDonald will discuss new technologies and accessible tools being created to help level the playing field for children in school, and for adults in the workplace.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• List the mainstream future technologies being adapted and developed for AT products.
• Describe the differences between tactile (braille) vs. audio learning.
• List the pros and cons of ebooks and audiobooks.

3. Assistive Technology at Work, at Home, and at Play for People Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Presenter:  Jonathan O'Dell

There is a bewildering array of assistive technology options available to individuals who are deaf or have some form of a hearing loss. Often, hearing professionals are left to make decisions for deaf and hard of hearing clients and do not know what factors to take into account when making recommendations. This presentation will outline what general types of assistive technology are available, what factors need to be addressed when making AT selections, and encourage the development of a “whole person” philosophy among service providers to make AT provision as effective as possible for each individual.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Describe the various types of assistive technology used by and for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing/late deafened.
• Apply the learned knowledge in sometimes unconventional ways.
• Assess environmental, social, lifestyle, and economic factors when making assistive technology recommendations.

Session 2: 11:30AM– 1:00PM

4. Tame your Work Life with the iPad

Presenter:  Katrina Caracol-Parker

The presentation will demonstrate how to organize, manage and complete job tasks with just one tool. Participants will learn to configure and utilize the iPad 2 to support a myriad of formerly paper-based

work tasks to assist with organization and improve overall productivity.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• List at least 3 apps that replicate, and are compatible with, typical office applications.
• Describe how to quickly switch between apps to increase productivity.
• Identify several Settings that can be fine-tuned to meet specific needs.

5. Assistive Technology Goes to College: How to Identify the Technology you Need and How to Work with the Disability Office

Presenters:  Jody Goldstein, Jeff McAuslin, and Jeanne O'Connor

The panel will describe the differences in how support services are accessed and delivered in the college setting. The role of assistive technology will be highlighted as students are expected to take over the role of advocate from their parents, counselors and teachers:

What questions should you ask when you go on the college tours.

What are some technologies commonly found on campuses.

How is technology changing the delivery of education for ALL students.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• List five assistive technology programs or devices found on many college campuss.
• Describe at least three differences for students transitioning from high school to college.
• Develop at least three questions to ask a Disability Services counselor when exploring colleges.
• Understand and describe the process of “Disclosure and Documentation”.

6. Come Out and Play: Accessible, Integrated and Safe Fun for All!

Presenter:  Gigi Ranno

The Universal Access Program is committed to provide and expand accessible outdoor recreation opportunities. This presentation will discuss what outdoor activities the Universal Access Program offers in Massachusetts state parks and forests to individuals with disabilities, as well as their family and friends.  A 12-minute video will be shown and photos will be available to depict both the winter and summer activities of the Universal Access Program.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Describe 2 services provided by the Universal Access Program (UAP).
• Name 2 locations where universal access program activities are available.
• Describe what items UAP identifies as making a park more accessible.

Session 3: 2:00PM– 3:30PM

7. The Language of Work

Presenters: Melissa D. Mulvey and Karen Waddill

Come explore the core language of work and community.  By identifying the core, we can increase communicative competence.  Use this focus to make picture supports, voice-output device pages and scripts to support students as well as to design role-plays and other activities to support communication skills.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Categorize vocational and community vocabulary as “core” or “fringe.”
• Prioritize vocational and community vocabulary for communication success.
• Design support tools, materials and activities to teach vocational and communication vocabulary and language.

8. iAccess - Leveraging the iPad to Create Custom Learning Experiences

Presenter:  Beth Holland

While iPad apps have been heralded for their ability to facilitate student learning, the accessibility features of the device may be even more revolutionary in how they support diverse learners.  This workshop will examine those features and how educators can provide digital content to create a customized learning experience.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Understand the Accessibility Features on the iPad.
• Demonstrate how to use text-to-speech features through VoiceOver, Speak Selection, and Speak Auto-text.
• Identify ways to create differentiated reading experiences using digital content and accessibility.
• Explore options for using audio books in conjunction with reading applications.

9. Low Cost Home Automation with X10

Presenters:  Senait Haileselassie and Alan Rux

This is a complete low cost home automation “HOW TO DO” workshop using X10 type products. This presentation will explain the function of a variety of commercially available products and how to use them in homes and apartments to control lights, electrical appliances, televisions, and just about anything that plugs into the wall power outlet. Products will be explained in detail and then demonstrated. No extra or external wiring is needed.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Install a low-cost home automation system.
• Identify which module is needed for their application.
• Describe what each module does.