Make-n- Takes were a hit at ABLE Tech's first AT Support Team Workshop held last month in Owasso. In addition to learning procedures for Consideration of AT for students with disabilities, participants learned how to make a variety of low-tech tools including a reading guide, a marker holder, and a weighted pencil. |
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AT Assessment Part 3 – AT in the IEP and Implementation will be held Nov. 8, rounding out the series of three AT Support Team Workshops presented in Owasso this fall. Approximately 110 educators from 40 teams have participated in this year’s training so far, and it’s not too late to register for our spring workshops in Lawton!
AT training is provided at no cost to Oklahoma educators and related service providers. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for OTs, PTs, and SLPs. See the workshop descriptions below and click here for training details and registration links.
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AT Assessment Part 1– Consideration
January 17, 2019
Lawton, Oklahoma
Description: Participants will learn the process for Consideration of Assistive Technology (AT) for all students with disabilities, including legal requirements related to AT Consideration, and hands-on learning to help educators discover potential solutions available to help meet students’ IEP goals.
AT Assessment Part 2 – Gathering Information and Trialing Devices
February 14, 2019
Lawton, Oklahoma
Description: Participants will learn the steps involved in conducting an Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment, and the procedure for borrowing AT to trial with students. Educators will try their hand at making low-tech AT to help students with classroom tasks.
AT Assessment Part 3 – AT in the IEP and Implementation
March 14, 2019
Lawton, Oklahoma
Description: Participants will learn how to write AT in the IEP, summarize the Implementation process, compare and contrast AT across disabilities, and identify funding resources for the acquisition of devices. Afternoon breakout sessions will offer educators opportunities to explore devices in the categories of their choosing.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech is the Statewide Assistive Technology Act Program whose mission is serving Oklahomans with disabilities. ABLE Tech offers educational resources and training programs to Pre-K through 12th-grade educators and related service providers through a contract with the Oklahoma State Department of Education. To learn more visit OKABLETech.org
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Join us for a webinar on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 12:00-12:45 to learn about Accessible Educational Materials, with a special focus on the Liberty Braille program providing iPads with digital books for students who have a visual impairment. Cristin Lockwood, owner of Liberty Braille, will explain what is provided and how to access the program which serves schools through a contract with the Oklahoma State Department of Education. |
No registration is necessary. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
https://zoom.us/j/794855687
Please share the link with families of your students! Visit our Webinars and Videos webpage to see this year's schedule and links to archived webinars.
ABLE Tech AT Discovery highlights a variety of tools to assist individuals with disabilities in the areas of Computer Access; Daily Living; Environmental Adaptations and Controls; Hearing; Learning, Cognition, and Development; Recreation; Seating, Positioning and Mobility; Speech Communications; Vehicle Modifications; and Vision. Each page includes explanations of available resources, tips, financial information, fact sheets, videos, and links to devices available for short-term loan from ABLE Tech.
AT for Organization is included in the AT category of Learning, Cognition, and Development. Organizing is among the skills associated with Executive Functions. These are high-level mental abilities that direct attention and memory and help us to plan, organize, pay attention to and remember details, start and stop actions, form concepts and think abstractly. Weak executive functioning skills can be common in individuals with ADHD and learning disabilities. Fortunately, there are many tools to help these students.
  3" Time Timer with Audible Signal
Weighted Blanket
AT for Organization, such as visual timers, reminder watches, digital recorders, note-taking apps, visual schedules, and weighted blankets can help students with time management, organization, and self-monitoring. Implementation of these tools may help the student to become more calm, focused, and ready for learning. A recent article in eSchool News provided tips for teaching executive function skills. Click to see eSchool News article. For more tool suggestions visit AT Discovery for Organization.
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A Digital Voice Recorder can benefit students who are unable to take notes in class, as well as for recording lectures, short notes, and reminders.
The Olympus Digital Voice Recorder is a compact, take anywhere voice recorder with over 33 hours of continuous recording time and a large LCD that keeps you up to date on recording status, battery life and more. File management and other options are a cinch with the easy-to-use menu and features like Voice Activation and Timer Recording give you the flexibility to just sit back and relax.
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- Provides over 33 hours of continuous playing time
- Stores up to 100 files of your recordings in three separate folders
- Features automatic playback and voice activation
- Two AA batteries run approximately 30 hours
- Includes external earphone and microphone jacks
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $69
Purchased from: LS&S Products
Click to see Digital Voice Recorder in ABLE Tech Device Loan Inventory.
ABLE Tech device loans are provided for up to six weeks at no cost for the following purposes: (1) to assist in decision-making; (2) to serve as a loaner while the consumer is waiting for device repair or funding; (3) to provide an accommodation on a short-term basis; or (4) for professional development.
Visit okabletech.org weekly to see the featured device in the homepage carousel and Click here to read about the ABLE Tech Short-Term Device Loan Program.
 The Oklahoma Transition Council has wrapped up the 13th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI) in Norman with more than 500 individuals participating. ABLE Tech was pleased to provide two presentations of the breakout session AT for Transition, reaching nearly 100 educators.
Allyson Robinson, ABLE Tech Assistant Director, and Kimberly Berry, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, led the sessions which took participants through the process for creating transition plans for students with disabilities who will be completing high school. Topics included Funding for AT, Best Practices for Transitioning AT with students, Self-advocacy, and Self-determination.
If you missed our sessions, you can find guidance in the Technical Assistance Document: Assistive Technology for Children and Youth with Disabilities IDEA Part B.
Need
funding to assist in the purchase of assistive devices? Oklahoma ABLE Tech offers a comprehensive online guide for Oklahoma Funding for AT.
Additionally, ABLE Tech, in partnership with Oklahoma Assistive Technology
Foundation (OkAT) and BancFirst of Stillwater, offers Financial Loans to
purchase assistive technology. Several programs of funding are available, all
with LOW interest rate and flexible repayment terms, as well as special
qualification opportunities for applicants who might not qualify for a
traditional bank loan. For questions on the Financial Loan opportunities, call
Shelley Gladden for more information at 800-257-1705.
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