Texas Assistive Technology Network Regional Conference 2007 Blog

How to integrate Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices into the curriculum can be a daunting task to teachers and teams who aren’t familiar with this technology. Kelly Fonner presented 8 lessons that she has learned over the years, to assist teachers and teams in the integration process. Click on the link below to listen to an […]

Scott Marfilius digs into the area of writing, breaking it down into its component pieces and helping teachers to examine exactly where their students are struggling. They then examined which technology tools might support the writing strategies that could be put into place. This presentation was based on the new TATN training module that was […]

Therese Willkomm presented and all-day, hands-on lab that introduced many of the participants to tools and materials that would allow them to create basic modifications that could really impact their student’s lives. Each participant made a business card switch, created a battery-device adapter, scored, snapped, and bent acrylic, and learned about materials that are readily […]

Therese Willkomm presented and all-day, hands-on lab that introduced many of the participants to tools and materials that would allow them to create basic modifications that could really impact their student’s lives. Each participant made a business card switch, created a battery-device adapter, scored, snapped, and bent acrylic, and learned about materials that are readily […]

I’ll admit it. I’m the first one to fall for a gadget or gizmo that beeps, whirrs, or is just the latest and greatest in state-of-the-art electronics. (I said fall for, not necessarily purchase – that stuff’s expensive!) However, Eileen Garza’s presentation reminds us that there is a lot of items that we can use […]

Did you know that WYNN would allow you to surf the ‘net, read a webpage aloud, and allow you to highlight and mask passages? How about editing the text you find on the web? Bonnie Hill and Pauline Anacki, from Freedom Scientific/Learning Systems Group shared those topics and much more during their presentation. For more […]

Sue Zapf and her co-presenter, Nicole Alexander, shared how they are implementing a creative writing program in their life skills classroom. It is a multidisciplinary approach, as Sue is the Occupational Therapist for the classroom and Nicole is the classroom teacher. Creative writing provides a means of expression for their students and they have had […]

Catherine Wyatt from Mealtime Partners, Inc., presented some amazing technology that will allow a user with limited mobility to eat using 1-, 2-, or no switches at all! This innovative solution provides independence for anyone with a physical disability. For more information, you can visit the Mealtime Partners website by clicking here, or calling 817-237-9991. […]

The implementation of NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard), looks a little bit different, depending upon which State you happen to be in. Cecilia Robinson, an Education Specialist with Region 4, discusses how NIMAS is being implemented in Texas. If you’d like to learn more about what NIMAS is and where it stands today, please […]

Kate May is not only an Assistive Technology Teaching Assistant (click here to listen to her interview from the TATN 2006 Conference), but also Prentke-Romich’s representative at the TATN 2007 Regional Conference. Kate has a broad expertise in Augmentative Communication, working with many different devices and has a unique perspective on AAC use. Click the […]

Writing with Symbols 2000 (WWS2000) is a powerful talking word-processor with PCS symbol support. Lynn Guthrie presented a 2-block, hands-on presentation about WWS2000 that showed that it offers all of those features, plus the capability of adding word banks, grids, and creating environments. Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web […]

This podcast interview is actually a 2-for-1! Hindie Dershowitz was kind enough to sit down and discuss her two TATN Conference presentations. The first, “Blank Stares of IEP Team Members…” was co-presented with Joyce Waggoner and focuses on providing training and resources to IEP teams so that they can make educated, informed decisions about AT […]

Jim Durkel, from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, shares some of the newest assistive technologies for persons with visual impairments. To learn more about the items that Jim discusses, please visit the American Printing House for the Blind website by clicking here. Special Note for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments: […]

Welcome to the second of Jim Durkel’s two presentations at the TATN Regional Conference. In this interview, Jim shares ideas and resources for students with visual impairments in the science class. Initially, science may seem like a very visual subject. However, Jim shares that scientific observation uses sight, as well as all of the other […]