Register today and join AT professionals as they teach participants the benefits and uses of the latest assistive technology tools.

Registration Information for Easter Seals AT Workshops

Easter Seals Workshops Winter / Spring 2014

Asperger’s Independence Apps
February 19, 2014 5:30-7:30pm
Easter Seals Boston Office
Fee: $80

This presentation will focus on an array of Apps that are available to assist individuals with Asperger’s to better function in their work and social lives. Subjects include organization and time management (transitions), communication and social supports. It is designed for parents, educators, and employers, and for individuals with Asperger’s themselves. Learning objectives

·         Identify 2 categories of potentially useful Apps for individuals with Asperger’s.
·         List at least 2 Apps from each category List 3 features of the Sōsh App.

Presenter: Katrina Caracol-Parker, BS.
Getting off the Ground with Proloquo2Go
Tuesday February 25, 2014  9:30am to 12:30pm
Easter Seals Boston Office
Fee: $80

This three hour hands-on workshop is designed to help you get up and running with Proloquo2Go, the popular augmentative communication app. We will cover basic skills such as choosing vocabulary options, adapting settings, creation and customization of pages, linking pages and backing up and restoring your customized vocabulary. An overview of the scanning features will be included. We will also discuss strategies for success to help your user get the most out of their AAC system.

Some basic knowledge of the iPad is helpful. Please be sure your device has the most recent operating system, and that you have the most recent version of Proloquo2Go. Learning objectives

•          Participants will understand and use at least three different editing features of Proloquo2Go
•          Participants will list three different ways to personalize communication displays with
  Proloquo2Go
•          Participants will list three different methods for backing up and sharing Proloquo2Go files

Presenter: Kristi Peak-Oliveira, MS, CCC, Speech Language Pathologist/AAC Specialist.
Accessibility and Apple i-Devices
March 11, 2014  5:30- 8:30 PM
Easter Seals Boston Office
Fee: $80

This hands-on workshop will focus on meeting the needs of diverse users by accessing the built-in accessibility options in iOS devices such as the iPad, iPad mini, iPod Touch, and iPhone.  Features will include text to speech reading of on-screen content, strategies for using voice-activated features, customizing the user experience with planning placement of resources, and utilizing the new switch access features of iOS 7.  This workshop will also consider use of additional tools and strategies, such as cases, mounting, and styluses, to improve accessibility for users.  This workshop will not be able to cover specific app recommendations, but resources for app review organizations will be shared.  Bring your own i-device for a hands-on experience.

Learning objectives

• identify accessibility limitations of the default configuration for  iOS devices for individuals with diverse abilities
• describe features and potential applications of built in accessibility options for iOS devices such as voiceover, speak selection, voice command, guided access, assistive touch, and switch access
• understand potential tools and strategies that can be utilized to enhance access for users with diverse abilities

Presenter: Kevin Berner, MS OTR/L, ATP
AAC Language & Conversations: Make It Fun And Interactive!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 April April 26, 2014    9:00am – 3:00pm
Merrimack College
Fee:  early bird (before February 21) $165 or $189 after February 21

How often do you observe AAC users who perform beautifully in therapy, only to sit passively in classrooms and social situations?  This quick-paced, interactive session will support students in using core vocabulary for authentic purposes, with peers, and using repetition with variation.  Strategies include:  RPM-GO (rehearse, practice, model – GO), combining core vocabulary and literacy, and scaffolding communication with engaging apps. Social Scripts ensure that augmented communicators – even those with limited access skills – can achieve interactions that are frequent, motivating, self-initiated, varied, ongoing, with multiple turns, and with a range of partners, including peers. Strategies will be provided for creating, programming, and teaching the use of social scripts to support accessing skills as well as conversation.  Participants will engage in multiple ‘try-it’ activities to help learning generalize, just as we hope to make core vocabulary generalize for people who use AAC!  Participants will receive a CD with sample activities and forms.

Learning Outcomes:

1)      Summarize the RPM-GO approach (Rehearse, Practice, Model – GO)

2)     Review the components of a social script and work as a team to create a social script for a student who is a beginning communicator

3)     Describe apps and ways to use apps interactively to support target strategies (combining language and literacy, interactive communication games)

Presented by Dr. Caroline Musselwhite
ASHA CEUs are available at no additional charge for the April 26 workshop only