How to integrate Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices into the curriculum can be a daunting task to teachers and teams who aren’t familiar with this technology. Kelly Fonner presented 8 lessons that she has learned over the years, to assist teachers and teams in the integration process. Click on the link below to listen to an interview in which Kelly shares simple practical advice for integrating AAC technology into the classroom.

If you’d like more information, or would like to contact Kelly, her website is: http://www.kellyfonner.com

Kelly Fonner’s Interview

13:26 Minutes, 12.3 MB

Scott Marfilius digs into the area of writing, breaking it down into its component pieces and helping teachers to examine exactly where their students are struggling. They then examined which technology tools might support the writing strategies that could be put into place.

This presentation was based on the new TATN training module that was developed this past year.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Scott Marfilius Interview

13:20 minutes, 12.2 MB

Therese Willkomm presented and all-day, hands-on lab that introduced many of the participants to tools and materials that would allow them to create basic modifications that could really impact their student’s lives.

Each participant made a business card switch, created a battery-device adapter, scored, snapped, and bent acrylic, and learned about materials that are readily available at the local hardware store.

Therese has a book that is available for purchase, entitled, “Make a Difference Today: Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes.” It’s available for $35, and can be purchased by visiting http://www.nhassistivetechnology.org or clicking this link.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Therese Willkomm Interview

13:20 minutes, 12.2 MB

I’ll admit it. I’m the first one to fall for a gadget or gizmo that beeps, whirrs, or is just the latest and greatest in state-of-the-art electronics. (I said fall for, not necessarily purchase – that stuff’s expensive!)

However, Eileen Garza’s presentation reminds us that there is a lot of items that we can use with our students on the Autism Spectrum that we may already have at home, or are simple, inexpensive, readily-available products.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Eileen Garza Interview

8:02 Minutes, 7.36 MB

Randall Jose and Erika Andersen, from the University of Houston, School of Optometry, shared information about Project DOVES low vision rehabilitation service by Region 4 and the Center for Sight Enhancement. In addition, we discussed teaching strategies for students with low vision, in addition to the use of assistive technologies.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Erika Andersen Interview

7:50 Minutes, 7.17 MB

Did you know that WYNN would allow you to surf the ‘net, read a webpage aloud, and allow you to highlight and mask passages? How about editing the text you find on the web? Bonnie Hill and Pauline Anacki, from Freedom Scientific/Learning Systems Group shared those topics and much more during their presentation.

For more information about WYNN, visit the Freedom Scientific/Learning Systems Group website by clicking here.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Bonnie Hill Interview

6:04 Minutes, 5.55 MB

Sue Zapf and her co-presenter, Nicole Alexander, shared how they are implementing a creative writing program in their life skills classroom. It is a multidisciplinary approach, as Sue is the Occupational Therapist for the classroom and Nicole is the classroom teacher.

Creative writing provides a means of expression for their students and they have had some wonderful results.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Sue Zapf Interview

6:17 Minutes, 5.75 MB

Catherine Wyatt from Mealtime Partners, Inc., presented some amazing technology that will allow a user with limited mobility to eat using 1-, 2-, or no switches at all! This innovative solution provides independence for anyone with a physical disability.

For more information, you can visit the Mealtime Partners website by clicking here, or calling 817-237-9991.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Catherine Wyatt Interview

6:12 Minutes, 5.68 MB

The implementation of NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard), looks a little bit different, depending upon which State you happen to be in. Cecilia Robinson, an Education Specialist with Region 4, discusses how NIMAS is being implemented in Texas.

If you’d like to learn more about what NIMAS is and where it stands today, please visit the links below to listen to the interviews with Skip Stahl.

• NIMAS, The Basics
• NIMAS, Update Interview

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Cecilia Robinson Interview

4:42 Minutes, 4.30 MB

Kate May is not only an Assistive Technology Teaching Assistant (click here to listen to her interview from the TATN 2006 Conference), but also Prentke-Romich’s representative at the TATN 2007 Regional Conference. Kate has a broad expertise in Augmentative Communication, working with many different devices and has a unique perspective on AAC use.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Kate May’s Interview

4:05 minutes, 3.75 MB

Writing with Symbols 2000 (WWS2000) is a powerful talking word-processor with PCS symbol support. Lynn Guthrie presented a 2-block, hands-on presentation about WWS2000 that showed that it offers all of those features, plus the capability of adding word banks, grids, and creating environments.

Click the following link to listen to the interview in your web browser, or subscribe through your favorite MP3 aggregator.

Lynn Guthrie Interview

6:23 minutes, 5.85 MB