AT Adventures
Accessibility & Assistive Technology tips, news, & events
February 2022
AT News
- The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) coordinators are offering their annual AT Expo. This year's Expo will be held virtually. Visit the SCATP website to read about the event and register.
- A new partnership has been announced between Clusive and Bookshare. To find out more about this collaboration visit the Cast Website to read about it or register for the free webinar on March 1st at 3 pm.
- Did you know that Florence One Schools has a team of staff dedicated to improving our inclusive technology practices, which is helping to create a national framework for other districts to follow? Watch this video to find out more about what this team is helping to accomplish. Recently, F1S was represented and acknowledged at ATIA 2022, a national conference, for participating in this national framework. Visit the AEM Center website to read about the presentation.
- Florence One Assistive Technology is providing therapists and teachers with a video series called AAC Minute Clinics, which launched last Fall. After experiencing a brief pause, the AAC minute Clinics will return in March 2022.
AT+Stem Makers Projects-Help Needed!
If you are looking for project-based learning opportunities and the chance to help students in our district with real-time solutions please check out our AT makers projects. Every month, we will announce if there are any projects that are needed. Your class or club can adopt a project that will directly benefit a student or classroom in our district. These are great projects for STEM, Robotics, engineering, video/media classes, or for anyone overseeing a student volunteer program.
Sample Projects needing solutions:
- 3D printed vocabulary (recipes provided)
- Tactile/Adapted Book Boxes
- 3D Pen adapted books/line drawings
- Vocabulary Videos (made by peers for peers)
Use this link to adopt a project: https://forms.gle/dSAMVVynWt2RR4Rc8
Use this link if you have a student or classroom need and would like to submit a project idea: https://forms.gle/EWpfuKbQWjwCvyr59
Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC)
AAC Pick of the Month
AAC Support
Looking for AAC support? Join the monthly support group by clicking on the Google Form below, to sign up for the March support group.
AT Tips
Accessibility Tip: Make Reading More Accessible for All Learners by Offering Options
Visit the AEM center website to read more about creating personalized reading experiences in this article. While this article contains ideas for every platform, look specifically at the tips and ideas for the platform your students are using such as Google Chrome.
Creating Adaptable Classrooms for All Students
AAC Tip: Modeling Without Expectations
How can I model communication for pre-verbal children? What does it mean to model without expectation? Watch the video link below to find out more.
Modeling Without Expectation
Writing Tip: Using Technology to Express My Ideas
Learners who struggle with written expression may find it difficult to write or express their ideas on paper. Watch the video clip below to hear from teachers and students on how technology and dictation helped them become better writers.
DLN Story - Assistive Technology: Read and Write for Google
I Spy AT in F1S
AAC in View
F1S teacher at West Florence has displayed an AAC core word board in the front of the classroom where all her students can see it, and she can easily access it to model vocabulary words. She also has displayed an AAC strategies flipbook where it is easy for her and her assistants to use.
Writing with the help of AT
F1S teacher at Lester displays student writing. Her students with the use of adapted writing software are able to write paragraphs on different topics.
AAC in Playarea
F1S teacher at McLaurin displays picture symbols and signs in her play area at eye level for her students to see while engaging in play.