Oklahoma ABLE Tech January 2019 Edition

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Special Education Services
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Lawton Spring AT Workshops Nearly Full!

This popular AT Assessment Training Series provides a balance of theory and hands-on practice, followed up with support for participants conducting AT assessments for students. If your district is considering sending a team, don’t delay!

AT training is FREE to Oklahoma educators and related service providers, and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for OTs, PTs, and SLPs. This three-workshop series is meant to be attended in order, and each participant is required to register for each session individually.
Learn more training details and registration



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AT Assessment Part 1- Consideration


- 2019 SPRING TRAINING -
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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6 Tips for Accessibility in Microsoft Word

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You never know when an individual may need to read your documents with assistive technology (AT) such as a screen reader or an electronic braille device. That’s why it’s important to make all your documents accessible from the start. Luckily, Microsoft Word includes easy-to-use tools to increase access and readability for all!

Join us for an informative webinar with Lyssa Prince, ABLE Tech Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Coordinator. Lyssa will show you how small changes can make big differences in your Word Docs. No registration is necessary!

Webinar: 6 Tips for Accessibility in Microsoft Word
Presented by: Lyssa Prince, ABLE Tech ICT Accessibility Coordinator.
Date: Thursday, January 24
Time: 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/636159130

You may send your questions ahead to Kimberly.Berry@okstate.edu and we’ll try to answer them during the webinar. Certificates of Participation will be provided, and the webinar will be archived for later viewing.

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.


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AT for Reading

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.

Students may struggle with reading for a variety of reasons; some have visual impairments, physical limitations, or learning disabilities which prevent them from accessing standard text. In these cases, a combination of Accessible Educational Materials and assistive technology (AT) can improve reading comprehension.

A reading pen, such as the C-Pen Reader, may help students with learning disabilities to increase reading autonomy, fluency, and comprehension. Book reading apps, such as Voice Dream Reader, read text aloud, and allow users to customize the visual display to meet their needs. Low-tech AT such as page turners and page fluffers help students with deficits in fine-motor skills read more independently. Click here for downloadable Make 'n Take projects.

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C-Pen Reader

Voice Dream Reader App

Page Turner

Visit AT Discovery for Reading to find more tools available for short-term loan from ABLE Tech. 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.
Click here to read about the ABLE Tech Short-Term Device Loan Program.


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Vocational Rehabilitation Toolkit

The spring semester has begun, and that means graduation is around the corner. Decisions made by and for your students now will have far-reaching effects. The Vocational Rehabilitation Toolkit for Youth with Supplemental Security Income can help your students and their families to understand the impact of earnings on Disability benefits so they can make informed decisions to support their life goals.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Youth Technical Assistance Center (YTAC) developed the toolkit, which includes information essential to assist you in supporting youth who receive disability benefits in navigating a path toward successful employment. Get the tool at www.ssiyouthtoolkit.org


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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