779 Search Results for access
June 21, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Many students who use AAC spend some time in community-based instruction during their teenage years. In today’s post, AAC SLP Ashley Larisey discusses this topic in a continuation of the AAC in Secondary School series. Ashley is an SLP at Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She is also an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor and Instructor at Saint Xavier University. Additionally, Ashley presents on AAC topics at professional conferences. Enjoy! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AACcessibility During Community Based Instruction Community-Based Instruction (CBI) is a meaningful, engaging, and highly motivating experience for many students with disabilities, particularly those students who are high-school-aged and beyond. For AAC users, CBI provides opportunities to communicate with unfamiliar communication partners for many different purposes. However, when students are out and about, it can be easy to overlook the ease of access that can exist within the educational environment. However, it is just as important for AAC... [Read More...]
May 5, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Using mobile devices can be a challenge for people who have significant motor limitations. Things are getting easier but determining the best equipment for alternative access is still a bit tricky. In today’s video, we feature a detailed presentation on the hardware options for using switch scanning with the iPad. AT Specialist Melissa Mussano provides a considerable amount of information that will help you make the right decisions for your AAC users. Many thanks to Melissa and to AbleNet for making this recording available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKUuqVfVrSw&ab_channel=AbleNetUniversityRecordedWebinar
September 30, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
For individuals with complex communication needs who have motor limitations, access to AAC can be elusive. In today’s featured video, we learn from OT Carrie Luse who co-directs the AT Lab at Community Vision. In this archived presentation from the Wyoming ECHO Project, Carrie helps us understand the options for physically accessing AAC systems and explains ways that we can help AAC learners be successful. There are a number of helpful handouts for this webinar that you can access here. We’re grateful to Carrie and the University of Wyoming ECHO Project for creating this presentation and making it freely available. Direct Link to Video – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pRdflqYNSHy4htjMOy50AD1hXwrXRnce/view
July 29, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
If, as Dr. Katherine Nelson, posited many years ago, “Language is not imitation and repetition but creative construction based on language experiences,” then paying attention to the environment is necessary and important (Nelson 2007). In today’s featured video, we consider the development of AAC as a form of language learning and explore the necessity of creating environments that are communicatively accessible for children with AAC needs. Through the efforts of Dr. Kathy Howery (kATe Consulting, Inc) and the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium, we are able to view this archived webinar learn from renowned psychologist Dr. Stephen Von Tetzchner from the University of Oslo. In this presentation, Dr. Von Tetzchner challenges us to consider AAC through a language learning lens with a goal of building personal autonomy and authentic communication. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Dl7YYiL3g&feature=emb_logo Nelson K. (2007). Young Minds in Social Worlds: Experience, Meaning, and Memory. Cambridge... [Read More...]
July 23, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
When clinicians, researchers, and individuals with AAC needs come together to work on a problem, good things can happen. In today’s post, SLP Katie Seaver tells us about her experiences with Project Euphonia. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: My name is Katie Seaver and I have been an SLP for 16 years. For the past 10 year I have been an SLP and AAC Specialist at the Leonard Florence Center in Chelsea MA at their ALS Residence (see ALSRI.org for more information). The center is uniquely built to meet the extensive accessibility obstacles pALS experience. Each room is private with a fully automated environmental control with a program called PEAC. Once a resident has a device that allows them to access WiFi (e.g. an iPhone or even a Tobii Dynavox SGD) then they have access to their environment as well, from heating and TV, to doors and elevators. My passion for AAC has been... [Read More...]
September 25, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
We’re back for the second part of an archived webinar based on this article, Stepping Stones to Switch Access. In today’s featured video, educational consultant Linda Burkhart shares strategies for supporting AAC learners with significant motor difficulties. Many thanks to Linda, the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium and Dr. Kathy Howery, for making this available. You can access the handouts for the presentation here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OicZZX0jGww&list=PL6P1FySUgEPTn4VCfpiDhrtFIOZbW69mf&index=1
September 18, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Educational consultant Linda Burkhart helps us better understand the needs of AAC users with motor challenges in this featured video. Hosted by the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium and moderated by Dr. Kathy Howery, this archived webinar is based on an article, Stepping Stones to Switch Access, published in 2018. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INLeGswwUZY&list=PL6P1FySUgEPTn4VCfpiDhrtFIOZbW69mf&index=2 Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series next week.
May 16, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
If you’ve been planning to begin using switch-accessible iPad games in your AAC work but haven’t quite gotten it all figured out, this post is for you. We’re delighted to introduce PrAACtical AAC readers to Daniel Rigney, an SLP who with students who have complex communication needs at the Rosedale School in Austin, Texas. Daniel’s professional interests include the AT/AAC Maker Movement (see this post for info on that topic), language development for students with moderate to severe disabilities, and disability rights. He also maintains a YouTube channel, Assistive Technology ATX, with helpful AT content and tips. In this post, Daniel shares the process he uses for integrating iPad games into AAC therapy for students who use switches rather than direct selection. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Let’s Play! Using Switch-accessible iPad Games for AAC Learning iPad games can be a great teaching tool for core vocabulary. From having your angry birds “go” to... [Read More...]
November 2, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Developing effective communication systems for individuals with significant motor challenges is a challenging process. Ultimately, the goal is to provide them with tools and strategies that allow them to communicate independently and help them develop the skills needed to say what they wish to throughout their daily life experiences. As we all know, this can be a long journey. And while we work toward systems that allow them to communicate independently, they need access to language and communication now despite their motor limitations. Partner assisted scanning (PAS) is one option that works for many AAC learners. In this post, we feature a video overview of this strategy presented by SLP Maureen Nevers as part of the Communication Training Series by the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and the Foster Family Charitable Foundation, and a video of PAS in action by the Dynamic Learning Maps Professional Development (DLM PD) group under the direction... [Read More...]
October 19, 2016
by Carole Zangari -
Although guided access has been around on iOS devices for awhile, there are some professionals and families who are just starting to use this wonderful feature. In this post, we share some helpful videos that can be used to familiarize the team with this feature and how to use it. Setting up Guided Access by SENICT Direct link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34_LqW8xgjs How to exit Guided Access when you forget your passcode by iAgents Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHtshhfhNOE