Training Events
Training Events for School Year 2008-2009
A Year Long Focus on Assistive Technology
The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004 (IDEA) requires IEP teams to consider assistive technology for every student. For students who are blind, low vision, or deafblind, assistive technology can be a critical tool to providing meaningful access to the curriculum and the school. The importance of assistive technology for students who have vision impairments cannot be overstated. These are the tools that students will use throughout their lives to assist them to learn, live, work and play independently. Schools need to be aware of the tools available, know how to choose the most effective ones for each student, and be able to implement strategies for incorporating the use of technology into their classrooms. The National Agenda on the Education for Children and Youth with Visual Impairments lists assistive technology as a key part of the expanded core curriculum for students with vision loss and states that “Instruction in the use and maintenance of assistive technology is needed in the curriculum for students with visual impairments.”
In order to assist schools to address this need, the NH PD Center for Vision Education is focusing its training activities this year on Assistive Technology. This training series offers face to face introductory and advanced training as well as on-line learning modules. Events are designed for teachers of students with vision impairments, as well as related services providers, regular educators and special educators who are supporting students with vision loss, paraprofessionals working directly with students with vision loss, including those with multiple disabilities, administrators who have students with vision loss in their districts, and students themselves. The AT trainings listed here are all provided by skilled and experienced assistive technology practitioners, and each will focus not only on the technology but more importantly on how to use it to support students’ participation in the general education curriculum.
Although schools may have few students who are blind, there are many more with vision issues These students can benefit greatly from many of the assistive technology tools that will be highlighted in this series. In addition, students with other forms of print disabilities can also benefit. We encourage special educators to attend these trainings—you will find that the information can be applied to many of the students with whom you work. In addition to the many workshops on topics related to Assistive Technology, the PD Center is also offering other workshops related to the education of students with vision loss. For educators who may have a student with vision loss in their classroom for the first time, we offer “Welcoming the Student with Vision Loss to Your Classroom”. For those who are new to Braille, there is “Introduction to the Braille Code”. Finally, to assist in planning, this booklet also includes a listing of other events and resources related to the education of students who are blind or visually impaired.
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Last updated: Fri Feb. 29th, 2008 | Contact Web Master
