Pasco+-+Nina

= = =The Practical (and fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools = Building or Improving Your District's AT Team by Christopher R. Bugaj and Sally Norton-Darr


 * 10/29/2010 Introduction: What are your personal Do’s and Don'ts? **


 * Do’s: **
 * Continue to learn more about AT and how to assist educators, parents, and students in implementing the appropriate type of AT
 * Share information with all teachers (ESE, Gen Ed, etc.), parents, and anyone responsible in assisting students in accessing education and community resources for the future
 * Know that the information I have today may be outdated and will need to constantly update my “toolbox” to keep up with the changing world
 * Help parents to understand they are an important component in providing information about their child that can make a world of difference when making AT decisions


 * Don’ts: **
 * Give up when others do not agree with my vision or perspective
 * Be afraid to say “I don’t know… but I will look into it”!
 * Hesitate to advocate for a child who can benefit from AT when others do not see things in the same way
 * Stop learning all that I can to increase my AT knowledge and experience


 * 11/05/2010 Chapter 1: What do you need to consider when providing the lowest tech solution possible? **

Things to consider when providing the lowest tech solution is:
 * The AT solution to be implemented should be the least restrictive for the student
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The AT solution easily fits into a student’s routine
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The AT solution has a better chance of being successfully integrated over a long period of time
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The AT solution creates/requires little or no intrusion or special equipment
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The AT solution has the highest potential across all environments for the student
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The AT solution provides access to the curriculum, maximizing the accessibility to “increase, maintain, or improve” functional capabilities of the individual with disabilities


 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">11/12/2010 Chapter 2: What solution would you recommend for Tyler? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The recommendation for Tyler would be to develop and implement a behavioral system in the form of a game, providing Tyler with a reward (using a pre-established enforcer of his choice) when he refrained from clicking for a period of time. It would also be beneficial to provide one-on-one support by sitting next to him and instructing him on how to use the clicker only when it is appropriate, and rewarding the proper usage of the clicker. It may also be a good idea to disconnect the clicker/mouse so that Tyler isn’t provided with computer feedback, which may be stimulating Tyler indirectly to continue clicking to illicit a computer response.


 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">11/19/2010 Chapter 3: What AT needs must the IEP Team include on an IEP? What should not be on the IEP? How do Florida's new accommodations relate? **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The AT needs that should be included on a student's IEP is whatever the student needs to be ensured a free and appropriate public education. The request to conduct an AT evaluation should also be documented on an IEP

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">What should not be included on the IEP are specific brand names of devices and technology needs should not be written into the student's goals **.**

Florida Accommodations relate very well with Assistive Technology needs as accommodations...if you examine the new accommodations guide, assistive technology devices and services are considered as accommodations to meet the needs of students with disabilities.


 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">12/03/2010 Chapter 4: What resources will you use to keep up with AT? What assistance are you able to offer to others? **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The resources that I will use to keep up with AT is attending conferences such as ATIA and FETC, keeping up with literature on new products, and attending FDLRS Tech meetings and trainings that provide awareness and overview of the newest and latest technology used in the classroom and with students with disabilities. The assistance that I will provide is training and sharing of resources with the district AT team, district staff, and classroom teachers. I will provide structured trainings that showcase resources that will assist teachers, and provide technology strategies and accommodations that may be effective with their students.


 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">12/10/2010 Chapter 5: What improvements can be made to your AT team? How can you build on what you have? **
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">12/17/2010 Chapter 6: What qualities will you consider when choosing your AT teammates? **
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">01/14/2011 Chapter 7: What responsibilities need to be defined on your AT team? What systems need improvement to provide services needed to students? **
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">01/21/2011 Chapter 8: How will you promote your AT team? **