Tag Archive: access
June 3, 2020
by Carole Zangari -
Engaging with the activity at hand is an important piece of the learning plan, but it’s not something that comes easily to all AAC learners. In today’s featured video, OT Karen Kangas helps us understand some of the factors that help learners with complex bodies engage and focus in instructional activities. Many thanks to Karen and the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) for making this valuable information accessible. Accessing AAC: Competence Through the Lens of Activity and Engagement Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYrdA8H7yL8&list=PLCkBP2csbOsstD9Wga4bgj-ZK0-zcRLkr&index=10&t=0s You can learn more from Karen here.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: access, attention, engagement
December 18, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
Dan O’Connor and Bradley Heaven, authors of the website All Access Life, collaborated on this video demonstrating Brad’s use of AAC and how that has changed over time. Watch as they show how using different AAC tools impacts the rate of communication and take a look at how their conversation unfolds when they are both using eye tracking. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVQJaeHEfJA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR06pf-mqqu9BazQKo4mAuJ6GReds1c1kAQmPvfv8IfIr-n0EGw4MNsG4I4
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: access, communication rate, first person account
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
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: access, Scanning, switch scanning
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.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: access, Linda Burkhart, Switch Access, switches
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...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: access, Gaming, play, Switch Access
January 9, 2019
by Carole Zangari -
What is it like to raise a child who uses eye gaze technology to communicate? In today’s post, we learn from Rebecca and her daughter Marlee, who discussed their experiences at the 2018 ISAAC Conference. Many thanks to Rebecca, Marlee, and the team at Tobii Dynavox for making this video of their session available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGJvssiAjkQ
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: access, eye gaze, family, ISAAC 2018, parent perspective
March 1, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for information on alternative access for kids with significant motor limitations? Need a basic overview of communication and AAC for a para, parent, or colleague? Wanting to explore a variety of AAC resources? Check out the resources below. Working with Nonverbal Students with Autism: This was written by Susan Stokes under a contract with CESA 7 and funded by a discretionary grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. AAC Basics from Louisiana Assistive Technology Initiative’s AT Answers Indirect Access by Justin Sims Enjoy!
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: access, ASD
February 4, 2018
by Carole Zangari -
Busy week? Same here! We’ll fill you in on the AAC goodness from the ATIA 2018 Conference later in the week. In the meantime, here are a handful of posts you might have missed. Monday: PrAACtically February – AAC Resources for a Year of Core Words Wednesday: Video of the Week – Reading with AAC Across the Stages of Language Development ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And if you’d like to keep browsing, check out these past posts on access issues in AAC. AAC Access for Individuals with Significant Motor Limitations Through Partner Assisted Scanning Make It PrAACtical: DIY Switch-accessible Scanner Assessing Barriers to Access for AAC Learners More on Assessing Barriers to Access for AAC Learners Seating and Positioning for AT Access AAC Assessment Corner with Vicki Clarke: The Eyes Have It-Assessment Considerations for High Tech Eye Gaze Access
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: access, summary post
February 6, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
If you haven’t been following the AT Makers movement, you might want to check out the wonderful projects and activities of this group. In this post, founder Bill Binko shows us how to use 3-D printing to adapt camera mounts for switches to make an affordable solution for those with access difficulties. Wait, what? You don’t have a 3-D printer? We love Bill’s suggestion of collaborating with robotics clubs and STEM groups at local high schools, scouting organizations, or community agencies who have the skills and equipment to make this happen. They are usually quite receptive to projects that help others. The design for this adaptation is shared freely with a Creative Commons/Attribution/Share license, making it a great project for students, church groups, scouts, and others. If you give this a try, be sure to go to their Facebook page to share your project. Tag us so we can see what... [Read More...]
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: access, assistive technology, DIY, makers, mounting, switch
January 19, 2017
by Carole Zangari -
As a speech-language pathologist, most of my attention goes to strategies for building language and communication, but there is, of course, much more to AAC. The Independent Living Centre Western Australia (ILC) has a wonderful set of resources that focus on the operational aspects of AAC, a critical area for many individuals with complex communication needs. This is a great site to check out for ‘how-to’ information on how to help AAC users develop skills with direct selection (eye gaze, touch screen) and scanning. Many thanks to ILC and the Unlocking Abilities Project for making these available.
Filed under: Featured Posts, PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: access, direct selection, eye gaze, Scanning, switch