The Southern California Augmentative and Alternative Communication Network...

...is a support group for professional development, problem solving, leadership, mentoring, and training in the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to develop communication in non-speaking and minimally verbal individuals in the Southern California Region.

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

ATEC Newsletter - July 2013

In This Issue
Contact Information
Loan and Reuse Service
Quick Links
Contact Information
ATEC
Address:
1601 E. St. Andrew Pl
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Phone:
714.361.6200

Email:
atec@ocgoodwill.org

Website:
www.atec-oc.org
 
Social Media
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Watch us on YouTube

Join Our Mailing List

The Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC), a program of Goodwill of Orange County would like to share it's latest news, service information and upcoming training opportunities.
 Fitness and Technology Center
Recently, our Technology Specialist, Julie Dunbar presented on Core Vocabulary for Everyday Settings for the Accessible Technology Coalition (ATC), a project of the Center for Accessible Technology, which provides AT resources and trainings with a free membership. In this presentation, also available as an archived webinar on the ATC website, shares about how important core vocabulary is for people who use AAC devices to communicate. For more information and article on this valuable topic, please visit: http://atcoalition.org/article/aac-essentials-core-vocabulary.

Assistive Technology Highlight 
New Tobii I-Series from Tobii ATI
  • Updated eye gaze system from Tobii ATI
  • Has integrated eye tracking
  • Hot swappable batteries with up to 9 hours of use
  • New "Wake on Gaze" and "Sleep on Gaze" features
  • Lighter weight
  • Use of Corning's Gorilla Glass for increased durability
  • Dual cameras
  • Use of Daessy and REHAdapt Mounting Systems
  • Solid State Hard Drive
  • 3 Eye control options: Gaze Selection, Mouse Emulation, and Tobii Communicator Interaction Method
  • http://www.tobii.com/en/assistive-technology/north-america/products/hardware/
AT Loan and Reuse Service
AT Network Assistive Technology...Tools for Living Logo
ATEC is a Device Lending Library through AT Network (www.atnet.org) where individuals with disabilities, professionals, families, and caregivers can try out various Assistive Technology (AT) for FREE. Equipment is loaned on a short-term basis (typically for 4-weeks), depending on availability, and includes items such as: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, Alternative Computer Access, Low  Vision and Blindness Technology, Educational Technology and Aids for Daily Living.
Individuals can also obtain used equipment through ATEC's reuse program. Items include: Durable Medical Equipment (i.e. walkers, wheelchairs, etc.), Amplified Telephones, and Aids for Daily Living.

To inquire about a loan, please visit: https://exchange.atnet.org/ or contact Julie Dunbar, Technology Specialist at (714) 361-6200 ext. 233 or julied@ocgoodwill.org.
AT Workshops, Groups & Training Opportunities

ATEC's Assistive Technology Consultation Labs
Demonstration and trial of various software and hardware.
Free but Reservations Required
Dates:Client using a device at ATEC
July 17, 2013
August 21, 2013
September 18, 2013
October 16, 2013
November 20, 2013
Times: 
1:00-3:00 p.m.
(Appointments: 30 minutes per visitor)
Contact: Deanna Cowan, Services Assistant at
(714) 361-6200 ext. 221 or deannac@ocgoodwill.org
 For more information visit: www.atec-oc.org
 
Proloquo2Go Crash Course
A Professional Development Workshop
Get ready for the school year, everything you wanted to know about Proloquo2Go! Topics covered include; getting started, adding and editing vocabulary, options, tips and tricks and much more in a one-day workshop! 
Presented by: Randi Horikawa, M.A., CCC-SLP, certified Proloquo2Go trainer
When: Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: $99
Space is limited, registration is required!

For more information or to register, please contact Deanna Cowan at (714) 361-6200 x221 or deannac@ocgoodwill.org
  
AAC Users Group "J-Chat"
A fun and exciting group for adults using AAC
Dates:
July 31, 2013
August 28, 2013
September 28, 2013
October 30, 2013
November 27, 2013
Contact: Kathy Rausch, SLP at (714) 361-6200 x228 or kathleenr@ocgoodwill.org

Hosted AT Vendor Trainings

Prentke Romich Company 
Hosted by: ATEC
Dates: TBD
Free One-Hour Appointments - Reservations Required
Contact: Margaret Perkins at mcp.cons@prentrom.com
For more information visit: www.prentrom.com

DynaVox Technologies
Hosted by: ATEC
Dates:
July 11, 2013
September 5, 2013
November 7, 2013
Free One-Hour Appointments - Reservations Required
Contact: Mara Marshall at
For more information visit: www.dynavoxtech.com
 
Tobii ATI
Hosted by: ATEC
Dates: TBD
Free One-Hour Appointments - Reservations Required
Contact: Michele Lagui at michele.lagui@tobiiati.com
For more information visit: www.tobiiati.com
 
Individualized Workshops & Trainings for Organizations
The clinical and technical staff at ATEC can provide individualized workshops and trainings on specific areas of assistive technology for your organization! Topics include, but not limited to; Introduction to AT, Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), iDevices and Apps, Microsoft Accessibility, and specific AT equipment and software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, ZoomText, JAWS and much more!
 
Contact Deanna Cowan at (714) 361.6200 x221 or deannac@ocgoodwill.org to inquire about an individualized training or workshop for your organization.  
For more information visit: www.atec-oc.org

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Jobs! AAC Specialist in Westchester, NY

 
The Assistive Technology Program at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) in Valhalla, NY is seeking a Speech-Language Pathologist with specialization in Augmentative/Alternative Communication.  This person will provide evaluation and/or training to individuals throughout the lifespan. 

Two Positions:
The SLP/AACS Position is an hourly, per diem position, approximately 10 hours per week in our Valhalla AT clinic. There is also a SLP/AACS Full time Position. Responsibilities may include direct as well as consultative services; report writing and documentation; presentations, workshops, teaching courses.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
1. M.S. or M.A. Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited graduate program.
2. New York State license to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
3. Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
4. Minimum of three years experience.


Send cover letter, C.V. and salary requirements to Danielle McFadden at recruiting@wihd.org. 

Please send cover letter, C.V. and salary requirements to: Danielle McFadden at recruiting@wihd.org or by mail to: Danielle McFadden, Human Resources, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Room 306, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY 10595.
Please send cover letter, C.V. and salary requirements to: Danielle McFadden at recruiting@wihd.org or by mail to: Danielle McFadden, Human Resources, Westchester Institute for Human Development, Room 306, Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY 10595.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

FREE AbleNet Univ Webinars - July

AbleNet 
More FREE Webinars from AbleNet University. CLICK HERE to go to AbleNet's complete 2013 webinar list.


7/10/13 - Wednesday
Updated! Why Can't They Just Behave? The Importance of Self-regulation!
      • Time: 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM CST

      • Presenter: Mo Buti, M.Ed-BD, M.Ed-ADMIN

      • Level: Beginner

      • Cost: FREE


7/16/13 - Tuesday
Session 2: Matching AT Supports to Service Needs
      • Time: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM CST

      • Presenter: Gayl Bowser, Assistive Technology Collaborations

      • Level: Beginner/Intermediate

      • Cost: FREE


7/30/13 - Tuesday
Session 3: Overview of Coaching Skills to Support AT Use
      • Time: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM CST

      • Presenter: Gayl Bowser, Assistive Technology Collaborations

      • Level: Beginner/Intermediate

      • Cost: FREE

SCAAC at AbleNet University


SCAAC-N's own Sharon Rogers and Lesley Mayne will present another fabulous webinar via AbleNet University TODAY, Tues at 12:00!

banner
June 25, 2013
Lesley and SharonAAC Developing Participation: Part 5: Maximizing Participation

      • Time: 12:00PM to 1:00 PM CST

      • Presenter: Lesley E. Mayne, PhD, CCC-SLP & Sharon M. Rogers, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

      • Level: Beginner/Intermediate

      • Cost: FREE

Register Now 

  

Monday, June 24, 2013

SCAAC-N Summer Quarterly Meeting - Sunday, July 14

Happy Summer to you all!

The SoCal AAC Network will take the Summer Quarterly Meeting on the road and join the TACA parent group in Burbank, CA, for a Sunday afternoon meeting.



Autism Learning Seminar – iPads and Autism July 14, 2013 
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Gwendolyn Meier, MA, CCC-SLP, MT-BC

The iPad as an Augmentative Communication Device
 
Sarit Ariam, Esq.
Navigating the System to Get Assistive Technology


Location: Burbank First United Methodist Church - **NEW LOCATION**
700 N. Glenoaks Ave.
Burbank, CA 91502
Directions from your location
Coordinators: Contact Moira Giammatteo and Holly Riley
Child care: Not Available at this time, sorry.

Please click here to RSVP.

Joystick iPad Accessibility - Books

Everybody loves touchscreens, right? Well...

Even if you have motor impairments that keep you from efficiently and effectively interacting with the capacitive screens (that require touch and don't rely on pressure) - you still might love them! But if you can't control your touch, much of the touchscreen tablet world is not accessible to you. I first heard mention of an iPad joystick at the Closing the Gap conference in October 2012. Patti King deBaun flashed an iPad with a suction cup joystick on the screen and spoke on how iPad book pages can be "turned" using an on-screen arrow and a knock on the joystick. 


The iPad joystick is not a common item and cannot be purchased at the Apple Store or Best Buy. They haven't even heard of the thing! Pictured is Joystick-it (online ~$5 plus shipping).  It is a small, metal wand seated on a plastic suction cup that is ringed by a layer of conductive foam. This foam will activate the screen location where it touches the surface of the glass.


When the joystick is rocked, the foam must touch the onscreen target (in the case of these books, the page-turn arrow) and voila! a gross motor movement of reaching even a closed fist toward the wand requires significantly less aim and grading of force. 

The case your iPad is in may interfere with the joystick placement. Above you see the Big Grips Frame ($34.95) that allows the joystick to be centered on the edge of the touchscreen area and to rock freely to both the right and the left - which will allow it to touch and release the page-turn arrow. For users that cannot access the screen, set-up will be required. Each book app has an option of "Read to Me" that should be selected to start the first page of the book. From there, book reading/listening can be independent if this movement is an option. Be aware that the joystick is not permanently adehered; given a forceful knock, it can be slid across the glass or knocked off entirely.

Continue reading (CLICK HERE) for more than 20 free and inexpensive iPad book app titles to use with your joystick!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

"I Want to Say" - a video on AAC for Autism

If you haven't seen this video from February, care of the Hacking Autism initiative from Autism Speaks, please take 27 minutes and give it a watch. Insights are shared from the keyboards of young people with ASD and those that care for them. Keep a tissue close.