Michigan's Assistive Technology Program
Assistive
Technology Connections
Volume 8, Issue 9, September 2007
In This Issue:
- Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS)
- Materials on Assistive Technology and Special Education
- New Item on AT XChange!
- Calendar
- Subscription Information
Calendar:
- October 8, 2007 2nd Annual Life without Limits through Assistive Technology Conference and Expo Marriott Hotel at Centerpoint Pontiac, Michigan. This event is free to people with disabilities and family members; reasonably priced for professionals. For more information, please call UCP of Metro Detroit at (248) 557-5070 E-Mail: main@ucpdetroit.org. Web page about the conference.
- October 8 – 24, 2007 Register now for the Family Center on
Technology & Disability’s (FCTD) 2007 Online Assistive Technology
Institute!
Join Dr. Sean Smith, University of Kansas and a faculty
of AT experts as we explore: Transition and AT and Autism and AT. The
FCTD’s annual AT Institute is Free to participants. You can register
at:
- October 18, 2007 Pathway to Possibilities 2007 - Dearborn’s Disability Awareness Day at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. This year’s Pathway to Possibilities theme will be “Let’s Make the World More Accessible for YOU”. The keynote speaker is Ira David Socol. For more information call Susan Fitzmaurice, City of Dearborn ADA Coordinator, at (313) 943-2789, TTY (313) 943-2835.
- October 18-20, 2007 Closing the Gap 25th Annual Conference & Preconference Workshops - October 16-17, 2007 Minneapolis, Minnesota
- January 30 - February 2, 2008 Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2008 Conference and Exhibition Caribe Royale Resort Orlando, Florida
Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS):
Back in November of 2006, Michigan’s Assistive Technology Resource (MATR) became Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS). Their focus has broadened to include universal design for learning (UDL). UDL is an emerging, promising practice, that seeks to develop flexible goals, methods, materials and assessments to meet the needs of the broadest range of students. Their web page includes a wide range of resources and can be located at: http://www.cenmi.org/mits.
Materials on Assistive Technology and Special Education
- A variety of additional resources AT and Special Education on this AT Program web site.
- Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs: An Internet Resource Guide for Special Educators and Others. Along with a wide range of resources, this web site has a page dedicated to ;A Wealth of Free Materials, Software and Resources for Learners with Multiple Special Needs.
- Education Tech Points Book: By: Gayl Bowser and Penny Reed Coalition for Assistive Technology in Oregon (CATO) 2006 Education Tech Points is a system that “has the advantage of including everyone on the IEP/IFSP team in a familiar process that assures that assistive technology will be considered in all the aspects of the child’s educational program.” The system helps identify the times when AT-related questions should be asked and provides support to existing educational teams as a way to effectively select AT and implement related services. Each Educational Tech Point identifies the specific times within the planning and provision of specially designed instruction at which the need for AT should be considered. It serves as a way to integrate AT into the thinking of the IEP/IFSP team and the management system that each school district uses to ensure provision of appropriate services to children with disabilities. Cost: $50, check or money order only. To obtain this 450-page book.
- Assistive Technology Coordinators Video: Wisdom Shared North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, Learning Point Associates 2007. The questions that form the spine of this video are aimed at “helping school personnel start conversations about planning and integrating assistive technology into systemic school change.” Interviewees and responders are teachers, administrators and technology staffers. More information.
- Assistive Technology State Plans Website: This link on the U.S. Department of Education website provides access to each state’s Assistive Technology Plan as a Word document or pdf form. It also provides links to portions of the Department’s website that have been organized specifically for students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
Thanks to the Family
Center on Technology and Disability August Newsletter
for the above 3 resources!
Highlighted Item on the AT Xchange
Posted within the last 14 days: Wheel-in shower chair/commode, very good condition. Free! Located in Farmington Hills.
Go to AT Xchange http://www.atxchange.org to see this and many other new postings! The AT Xchange is a new Michigan-based website where people can buy, sell or give away assistive technology (AT). Do you have a used AT item in storage that could really help someone who has a disability? It could be anything from a wheelchair, stair lift, Braille reader, or reacher! If so, just post a classified ad AT Xchange.org. Include a digital photo. ATxchange is open to vendors who have used equipment for sale also. And don't worry about cost, ATXchange is a free service! Maybe you or someone you know is looking for AT? If you can't find what you are looking for, you can post it as an item wanted and receive an email message telling you if and when someone posts the item you are looking for. You may find the AT you are seeking for a bargain price - even for free!
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