6 Great Ways to Use Your AT Regional Center (ATRC)
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 MassMATCH
has two AT Regional Centers
(ATRCs) where educators, therapists, students, and parents come to see, learn
about, and even borrow the latest assistive technology. Each ATRC is staffed by AT professionals eager to help you identify the right equipment for your
students' needs in every environment.Know
a student who might benefit by assistive technology?
- Bring your student to learn about and try devices. Explore everything
from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to screen-reading
software and alternative keyboards. Call ahead to schedule a device demonstration
and a range of products will be available to see, touch, and try to address
your specific situation. Staff are available to answer your
questions and make suggestions.
- Borrow the latest equipment and take it for a
test drive. Try before you buy!
AT should to be tested in all the environments in which it will be used. The
ATRCs provide short-term device loans (up to four weeks) to help ensure you
find a good fit. Device loans are also helpful when a student's equipment is
out for repair or while waiting for delivery of new equipment. Browse the device
loan inventory online.
- Hold your special education staff meeting at your
ATRC. Enhance your
professional development by holding your special education staff meeting at the
ATRC. Educators cover their own agendas and then take time to learn about
equipment, about the Center and its services, and to get questions answered to better
serve particular students with disabilities. Special educators report this
is a terrific way to multi-task with tight schedules while enabling learning
and creative problem-solving with colleagues. In-service trainings are also available.
- Schedule a device demonstration at your school. Center staff
travel with their "bag of tricks" to meet the needs of rural schools.
Device demonstrations and trainings on ATRC services can be scheduled for
in-service trainings or for your special education staff meetings.
- Get help with a comprehensive AT evaluation
and/or training for your student. ATRCs refer
students and others for AT assessments with trusted fee-for-service providers.
ATRCs can also help find training with
particular equipment.
- Get help with funding options for acquiring AT. Center staff are
well-versed with funding and financing options as well as reuse programs
(such as the Assistive Technology Exchange of New England and the emerging AT
School Swap). Family members and professionals consult with them on options for
AT acquisition and for advocacy assistance.
Contact Your MassMATCH
AT Regional Center: Eastern Massachusetts:
Easter
Seals
Catherine
Bly, ATRC Coordinator
89
South Street
Boston,
MA 02111
617-226-2640
or 800-244-2756 Voice
617-737-9875
FAX
ATRC@eastersealsma.org
Western Massachusetts:
United
Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County
Dawn
Matthews, AT Demo and Loan Coordinator
208
West Street
Pittsfield,
MA 01201
413-442-1562
Voice
413-499-4077
FAX
ATRC@ucpberkshire.org |
School Success: How an ATRC Helped Chris Sing!
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Springboard by Prentke Romich
 | Last September, Chris, a nine-year-old boy with Down syndrome, came in to the MassMATCH AT Regional Center (ATRC) in Pittsfield with his parents. His special educator is a "frequent flyer" of the Center and had recommended he come in to try out augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Chris is non-verbal and his school had been using sign language to communicate with him. But Chris was hard to understand and his teacher knew they could do better. She wanted something to help Chris more effectively communicate and integrate with his class. At the Center, Dawn Matthews and Maneera Murphy demonstrated several different AAC products. The devices display pictures, symbols, and graphics. When a user touches (or otherwise activates) the symbols, the device voices whatever needs, feelings or other phrases each has been programmed to express. The first product they showed Chris was a Dynavox Express, a small hand held device that has a better speaker system than the iPod Touch. The display on the device, however, proved too small to work for Chris. Next they showed him a Dynavox V5 with a large display. But, alas, it proved too heavy. Finally, feeling like Goldilocks, Maneera showed him the Springboard by Prentke Romich. The Springboard is not as heavy, but has a good-sized display. It's also dynamic, which means its symbols can easily change to correspond with Chris's activities as they vary throughout the day. And it has an additional feature, too, not shared by any of the other devices: the capacity to record a real child's voice. Because of this last feature, Maneera hoped the Springboard would work well for Chris. Most AAC devices use synthesized adult voices of different kinds to sound the words or phrases selected by the child. This device would allow Chris to sound like the 9-year-old boy that he is, a feature with which Chris might strongly identify. Chris did like the look and feel of the Springboard, and he and his parents took the device home for a four week loan. During this time, the Springboard was customized with activity boards and the voice of a peer from his
classroom. Just as Maneera suspected, hearing a child speak his words visibly delighted Chris. Which got Chris's teacher thinking...Each morning she starts her class with the whole room singing her good morning song. It's a ritual that up until then inadvertently excluded Chris. But with the Springboard, she realized, Chris might join in. So she asked the child whose voice was recorded on the Springboard if he'd also be willing to record their morning song for Chris. The child agreed and Chris was once again delighted. In this way the class' good morning song became his song as well. Thanks to the device demonstration and loan provided by the ATRC, Chris's school district is acquiring a Springboard for his long-term use. |
12 Online Resources for AT for Education
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 UDL
Tech Toolkit. This is a very, very deep resource of FREE "universal
design for learning" tools! Categories include: apps, audio books, free
text-to-speech, graphic organizers, multimedia and digital storytelling, study
skills tools, literacy tools, writing tools, collaborative tools, research
tools, math tools, and tools to compensate for handwriting issues. This
Wikispace is organized by Karen Janowski (an assistive and educational
technology consultant in MA) and Joyce Valenza (a librarian extraordinaire in
PA). Janowski also has a highly recommended blog: Teaching Every Student.
- WatchKnow--Free Educational Videos for K-12 Students to support the UDL classroom. The
site aims to index and organize 50,000 educational videos by the end of
2010! Each video is categorized and accompanied by a description, age
level information, and rating. The site is maintained by teachers and
librarians and is foundation supported. Brought to us by a co-founder of
Wikipedia, Larry Sanger. Videos are not often captioned.
- The Assistive
Technology Training Online Project (ATTO). This site, from the University
of Buffalo, provides information on AT applications that help students with
disabilities learn in elementary classrooms; it includes online tutorials, AT
planning tools, and links. Funded by OSERS.
- Need
AT for Math? Check out this great video posted at the Virginia Department
of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at VCU's
Assistive Technology Blog. "Sometimes we just need a little memory jog to
remind us of some AT solutions we might consider when students are struggling
in math..."
- LD Online-Technology. Many good articles about the
use of technology for students with learning disabilities. Included are general
information, technology reviews, classroom applications, and information on making
the right decisions when integrating technology.
- A.T.TIPScast is an audio podcast produced
by Christopher Bugaj, co-author of The
Practical and Fun Guide to AT in Public Schools. The podcast is also practical
and fun and usually less than 10 minutes long.
- Advocacy Institute is DC-based
non-profit and home to "The Advocate Academy"-- a Webinar service
designed to meet the training needs of special education advocates. Archives
of Past Webinars include AT related topics such as: "AT, AIM, NIMAS,
UDL and More: Making It All Work for Students with Disabilities," and
"Prepping for an IEP Meeting: What you need to know about AT consideration
and AT implementation" (for sale for $25 each, and sometimes free over the
summer).
- Access
Text is an electronic database designed to
make it easier for colleges to get students with print disabilities specialized
textbooks in time for classes. Created by the Association of American
Publishers and the University of Georgia.
- Techmatrix is an online tool for
finding assistive and learning technology products for students with special
needs. It was created by the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI)
and the Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd).
- National Center On Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): AIM Product Tutorials provides links to dozens of screencast videos on
how to use different types of AIM software products (unfortunately they are not
captioned). Each of the tutorials presented focus on a different aspect of
accessible instructional materials and services for use in classrooms and at
home and offer detailed practical instruction in the use of AIM and related
products. Developed by the AIM Consortium and the Michigan Department of
Education, the purpose of the tutorials is to provide a suite of tools for
learning about and using assistive technology applications that support the use
of AIM (i.e. digital text, audio, and braille).
- No Limits 2 Learning: celebrating human
potential through assistive technology is a blog by Lon Thornburg, an AT specialist and trainer
in Oregon. Thornburg writes compelling posts about the AT he uses with students
with disabilities (K-12) and recommends useful resources.
- Teaching Learners
with Multiple Special Needs is the award winning blog of "resources and
ideas for teachers of learners with severe, profound, intensive, significant,
complex or multiple special needs" by Kate Ahern, M.Ed. She writes, "I tend to
think outside the box and I love the creative side of teaching, such as
creating curriculum units or finding ways to make breakthroughs with students
who are harder to reach."
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MassMATCH Help for Educators
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 The Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) requires school districts to consider AT devices and services for each
student with a disability. In Massachusetts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education recommends that AT be considered for students with disabilities
before the creation of the student's IEP (Individualized Educational
Program) goals. Why? Because students with disabilities benefit from AT to such
a degree that not only can it help them reach educational goals, it can also
help them envision new and higher goals.
MassMATCH has
programs and website resources designed to help educators learn about and get
access to AT appropriate for their students with disabilities.
To get started,
browse these MassMATCH FAQs
from Educators.
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Get AT Stuff Highlights
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G  etATStuff--the New England "Craig's List" for AT--currently has hundreds of items available for sale or free throughout the six New England states. As of this writing, GetATStuff highlights include: 22 Vision-related items including a talking alarm clock for $5 in Acton, MA
2 Hearing-related items
including an amplified cordless telephone for $45 in Manchester, NH.
18 Speech Communication-related items
including a free DynaMyte AAC device in Winooski, VT
10 Learning, Cognitive, Development related items
including a frog swing for $70 in Williston, VT
360 Mobility, Seating, and Positioning related items
including a free Action Arrow power wheelchair in Amherst, MA
303 Daily Living related items
including a free Convaid Stroller tray in Sudbury, MA
56 Environmental Adaptation related items
including Amramp wheelchair ramp sections for $220 or best offer in Newton Center, MA
53 Transportation and Vehicle Modification related items
including a 1999 accessible Dodge Ram for $4,999 or best offer in Sudbury, MA
5 Computer related items
including a DynaVox DV4 with headmouse for $1,000 or best offer in Rutland, VT
13 Recreation, Sports, and Leisure related items
including a Somatron Playfloor for $1500 or best offer in Worcester, MA
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AT School Swap Receives Shapiro Foundation Grant-
Now it Needs You!
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This past July the AT School Swap received a $45,000
grant from the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation. The grant was awarded
through the Shapiro Foundation's Disability Inclusion Initiative which supports
ongoing efforts to promote the use of assistive technology for people with
disabilities. For schools in the Greater Boston area this is an exciting
opportunity. Grant funds will help 6-8 Greater Boston area schools get started
exchanging AT and AT know-how.
What is the AT School Swap (ATSS)?
ATSS is an online members-only assistive technology reuse
program. It is designed to help schools manage their AT inventories, share their
accumulated unused devices, better afford assistive technology, network with
educators using AT, and reduce delays acquiring appropriate devices for their students
with disabilities.
The ATSS was created in response to a need articulated by special
educators and school administrators. Schools, districts, and collaboratives
need a way to keep AT in the hands of students who benefit by it, and they need
a way for educators to connect with one another about how devices are working
in real classrooms.
What will the grant support?
The Shapiro Foundation is providing technical assistance to
6-8 Greater Boston area schools to join the AT School Swap. Through a
partnership with Northeastern University's Physical Therapy Department,
technical assistance will be provided to help these schools register and get
started uploading their AT inventory to the ATSS website. The Shapiro
Foundation grant is also supporting improvements to the website platform to
make it more user-friendly.
How will the Swap work?
Each school will swap AT on its own terms. Registered users will
post "equipment wanted" notices and select what, if any, of their AT is
available for loan, trade, or free. They
will decide which devices stay in-district (or in-collaborative), and which may
be available statewide.
What if I'm not ready to Swap?
Schools need not commit to exchanging equipment in order to
participate. Participating schools will create and upload their AT inventory to
the ATSS website, including devices not available for trade. Registered users
and others will be able to browse and search for devices and learn where they
are being used. Contact information for devices will allow Swap members to
connect with one another and share advice about the equipment (or arrange the details
of an exchange).
How do I get started?
MassMATCH is actively recruiting public and private schools,
school districts, and collaboratives to join the ATSS. If your school is in the
Greater Boston area this is the best time to get started so you can take
advantage of this opportunity to receive intensive technical assistance.
For more information contact the AT
School Swap Administrator.
With your help we can build a rich database of equipment and
a broad community of educators with AT know-how.
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New Product Spotlight:
The
Mobile Activity Player
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 by Mayer-Johnson Now available to borrow from the short-term device loan program at UCP-Berkshire, this lightweight touchscreen computer is designed for and preloaded with Boardmaker Plus Player software and Curriculum Companion activities. Choose from a laptop or tablet configuration. Make direct selections with fingernail, stylus, or other options. The device easily carries activities between classrooms and to and from school and home. User friendly, the Mobile Activity Player's activities may be shared with the whole class or conducted independently. Learn more about the Mobile Activity Player and Boardmaker Plus at Mayer-Johnson.com.
Reminder: MassMATCH and the U.S.
Department of Education make no endorsement, representation, or warranty
expressed or implied for any product, device, or information set forth
on this newsletter. Neither MassMATCH nor the U.S. Department of
Education has examined, reviewed, or tested any product or device
contained in this newsletter. |
Upcoming Events
| UCP-Berkshire (MassMATCH AT Regional Center) in Pittsfield:September 22ndOpen House on AT for Education! Hands on time with the latest technology for educators, therapists, students, and family members. Resources for how to borrow and/or acquire AT. 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. October 20thCome learn about "The Pearl" reading device from Freedom Scientific as well as various means of magnification. 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. November 2nd"What did she say?" Come see, touch, and try devices for individuals who are hard of hearing. 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. UCP-Berkshire 208 West St., Pittsfield. Contact Dawn Matthews
by email at ATRC@ucpberkshire.org or by phone 413-442-1562 ext. 24 Easter Seals (MassMATCH AT Regional Center) in BostonOctober 20thA presentation about Read and Write Gold by Nate Stevens, District Sales Manager, of TextHelp Systems Inc. 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. November 17thA Presentation about The Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library and Downloadable books in general, given by James E. Gleason, Deputy Director of the Library 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please RSVP: 617-226-2634 or email atrc@eastersealsma.orgEaster Seals 89 South Street, Boston Get directions to Easter Seals BostonDisability Law Center
Conference on Transition PlanningOctober 2ndA free training and clinic for parents on special education transition services for children with disabilities, ages 14-22. In Portuguese and English. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 300 North Harvard St., Allston. 617-787-6313. Learn more at this DLC-MA Special Education Conference web page. TechAccess-RI ConferenceNovember 30thEstablished as a forum for the community to learn about assistive technology, the conference attracts over 350 participants each year, including assistive technology, users, families and direct service providers from all areas of practice. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, RI. Learn more at the TechAccess-RI conference web page.
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