iPad Giveaway from a4cwsn

We are giving away our 265th iPad and you are invited to participate. For those of you who have an iPad you may choose the $200 gift card as your gift instead if you win. THIS ENDS FEB 1ST. Click the link below to participate http://a4cwsn.com/ipad-mini-giveaway/

$200 in Gift cards to give away Complete this survey for your opportunity, takes 2 minutes. Thanks Gary Here is the info on the 4 x $50 visa gifts card  giveaway that you could win simply for taking 2 minutes out of your day and completing this short  Survey for Crack the Books. The winners will be announced on our Facebook page next week. www.facebook.com/a4cwsn Thanks for taking the time to do this and making a difference in our children's lives. Gary This giveaway ends Monday Jan 5th SURVEY LINK BELOW..... https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/crackthebooks

Upcoming FREE Webinars

Free Webinars - More than just K-12

Special Ed Tech Center has 13 webinars in January. All start at 3:30pm Pacific. Topics include:

• iPad: What’s new in AT? on January 5th
• Lower Level Math Supports: Software and Web Tools on January 7th
• Overview of iPad Accessibility on January 8th
• iPad: TouchChat AAC - Overview on January 12th
• Chrome AT Apps and Extensions: Part 1
• Multi Level Math Supports: Apps and Adapted Tools on January 14th
• Overview of Switch Access to the iPad on January 15th
• Chrome AT Apps and Extensions: Part 2 on January 20th
• Higher Level Math Supports: Software and Web Tools on January 21st
• iPad: iOS Switch Control for Higher Level Students on January 22nd
• iPad: TouchChat AAC –Literacy Ideas on January 26th
• Dragon Naturally Speaking on January 28th
• Simplified Step Scanning on the iPad on 

Foundations of Assistive Technology from the Center on Technology and Disability
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

Unleashing the Power of Innovation for Assistive Technology – Where have we been and where are we headed? from the Center on Technology and Disability, Tues, Jan 6, 12:30 pm Pacific, 30 min

Developing and Implementing an Accessibility Strategy: One Organization's Lessons (So Far)from Great Lakes ADA Center, Thurs, Jan 15, 11:00 am Pacific 

Inspiring Lifelong Learning with Bookshare from AbleNet, Tues, Jan 20, 12:00 pm Pacific, 45 min

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Free Webinars - K-12

What's Next? After Assistive Technology Consideration from MITS, Thurs, Jan 15, 11:00 am Pacific 
(Must register the day before.)

Using Your Own Voice in AAC Apps from AbleNet, Tues, Jan 6, 8:00am Pacific, 30 min

UDL Supports for Diverse Learners on iOS Devices  from AbleNet
January 15, 2015 10am Pacific

Let's take Action! Include all of your students by using the AbleNet Action Dictionary from AbleNet
January 22, 2015 at 1pm Pacific

Parents Webinar from PRC - 12/22/14

CoreScanner™: Vocabulary Review and Basic Setup December 22, 2014 (Monday), 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. EST Price: FREE AAC in the Home: For Parents, From Parents December 22, 2014 (Monday), 12:00p.m. to 1:00p.m. EST Price: $24.00 "This course highlights how to make AAC communication a part of daily life in our home." - Elizabeth S. We Believe Everyone Deserves a Voice™

Save the Date: 2/5/15, So Cal AT Network

iPad Webinars from Closing the Gap

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Central Standard Time

It can be challenging to find apps for students who have significant developmental delays, significant motor developmental impairments or multiple disabilities and find apps that are appropriate to meet their unique needs. They can have sensory, motor, neurological or medical issues that can make it difficult for them to access a mobile device. This webinar will focus on alternate ways to access a mobile device, such as switches, pointers, mounting systems, etc. We will cover device features and apps that can be used to support students with significant needs, such as cause and effect, communication, literacy, entertainment and more.

PRESENTER: MARK COPPIN, B.S., is an Apple Distinguished Educator and the Director of Assistive Technology, Anne Carlsen Center for Children, Jamestown, ND. 

REGISTER NOW

Using iTechnology as Evidence-based Practice! Self-regulation Strategies for Students with ASD
90 MINUTES

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

10:00 am - 11:30 am Central Standard Time

  

iTechnology (iPads, iPods, iPhones) can be highly motivating tools that, by design, remarkably address the unique learning style of students with ASD. This fast-paced webinar will provide an overview of various apps that can be customized to meet the learning and behavior needs of students with ASD and, most importantly, to increase their independent functioning for self-regulation. Apps that use the evidence-based practice for self-regulation to teach students with ASD how to recognize signs of increased anxiety and subsequent strategies for relaxation and stress management will be shared.
 

Participants should have a general knowledge of iTechnology device "basics", including accessories and access tools, for making these systems user friendly for both students and adults.

PRESENTER: Susan K. Lewis Stokes, M.A., CCC-SLP; Educational Autism Consultant and Trainer, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

REGISTER NOW

Comment on Medicare SGD Funding Today!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday and you are feeling recharged for some advocacy work. Medicare has given all of us the opportunity to comment on how Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) should be covered in the future, but with a comment deadline of December 6th, the window for comment submission is closing fast. This is a critical opportunity to help educate Medicare about the people we work with who do not use natural speech and who deserve every right to communicate using the most appropriate technology available. Please use a few minutes today to take action on this issue! Thanks, Chris Gibbons, PhD, CCC/SLP Director of SGD Services AbleNet, Inc.

Re-Post: It's PrAACtically Chanukkah!

Re-Post from PrAACticallyAAC.org, 11/29/12

Hanukkah Marshmallow & Chocolate Kiss Dreidels

Chanukkah is prAACtically here, even though it seems very early.  Chanukkah starts at sundown on December 8th and ends at sundown on December 18th.   Holidays are usually fun and busy.  With all the fun comes changes in routines, less sleep, more stress, more excitement, more people, more compromise, and overall different expectations.  This is a time to plan in advance the visual supports, visual systems, and AAC displays that will help everyone understand, organize, and communicate most optimally. Check out these great resources to help with the planning:

Friendship Circle Blog- Preparing for Hanukkah,  15 Tips to Make Sure Your Child is Ready for The Holidays, & More

Gateways Program Resources- There are  visual supports for the  Chanukkah Blessings. There are social story books that help with understanding that birthday candles and Chanukkah candles are different, that Chanukkah candles go out by themselves, and about Chanukkah candles and fire safety.  There are visual instructions for the steps in lighting the Chanukkah candles (which is a mini-schedule). There are also folder activities for keeping busy while learning vocabulary, word knowledge, matching, and relationships between objects.  But maybe most fun of all, there are visual supports for Chanukkah songs.

HanukkahPinterest Board by Pediastaff- Hanukkah Themed Therapy Activities- The most comprehensive Hanukkah resources, stories, projects around.

Visit PrAACtically AAC's blog for daily info, tips, and resources on implementing AAC. It's Fantastic!!!