AbleNet University Live Webinars
June 15, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
Join Rachell and Barb for a more in-depth discussion of resources and ideas presented in "DIY AT for the New Normal" (available on AbleNet University YouTube channel). This SLP and OT duo will share creative and innovative DIY AT ideas for school, private, and telehealth services. They'll also share ideas for using familiar resources such as Jamboard and Google Slides in a variety of ways! Join them for detailed explanations and examples of how to use these resources in your treatment sessions!
Cost: FREE
Presenters: Rachell Johnson, M.C.D. CCC-SLP AT Team Lead and Barb Kelii, MA OTR/L, TCTechGal, Independent AT Consultant Services
Level: Beginner
August 18, 2021 | 2:00 PM CST | 45 minutes
This presentation features remote class activities highlighting the use of music with Zoom technology. The activities are tailored to students with special needs including the types of devices to consider.
Cost: Free
Presenter: Mary Hager, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA
Level: Beginner
Let's Talk Data- Simplifying the Process
August 24, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
In this practical session, come learn about how to simplify the ongoing process of data collection. From writing measurable goals to creating visual reports that make the data clear, this session will provide simple techniques to make the entire process easier. Learn how to set up Google Forms and Sheets to simply and easily collect data on IEP goals, device usage, classroom behaviors, and more. This session will look at easy techniques that can be used immediately as well as long-term systems to make the process seamless. Never walk into a meeting or write a report without concrete data again!
Cost: Free
Presenter: Cassie Frost, M.Ed
Level: Beginner
Virtual, Hybrid, or F2F - Establishing Multimodal Relationships with Students with Disabilities
September 8, 2021 | 2:00 PM CST | 60 minutes
In this interactive presentation, participants will become familiar with ways to deeply connect with students in virtual/hybrid/F2F environments. Participants will learn how simple tools (filters, backgrounds, etc), can be used to raise engagement and motivation in virtual settings. We will discuss the power of movement, games, and humor to build relationships and foster virtual collaboration. We are striving for connection - not perfection!
Cost: Free
Presenters: Jennifer Courduff, Ph.D. and Sarah Orton, M. Ed.
Level: Beginner
September 9, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
Participants will gain skills in how to assist with student-specific instructional interventions and maximize learning opportunities for students experiencing significant cognitive, communication and motor needs. The session will illustrate how to use appropriate level of prompts and cues and to gradually fade the prompts to teach and reinforce academic and functional learning objectives.
This webinar designed for paraeducators should be appealing to teachers who guide and supervise paraeducators routinely as well as to district special education trainers in their design and delivery of professional development.
Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Sarathy, MA, Author & Educational Consultant
Level: Beginner
Coaching Parents to Use Innovative, Practical Assistive Technology Tools and Strategies for Meeting the Needs of Their Children While Learning From Home
October 6, 2021 | 2:00 PM CST | 60 minutes
For many students, especially young students and students with disabilities, teaching virtually or hybrid requires a robust level of parental involvement and support. Teachers often act as coaches for parents who help their students with early literacy skills, social skills, and IEP goals. This interactive session will focus on tips, tools, and innovative strategies for partnering with parents to meet the academic, behavioral, communication, and physical learning goals of their students.
Cost: Free
Presenters: Jennifer Courduff, Ph.D. and Sarah Orton, M. Ed.
Level: Beginner
October 13, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
In this highly practical webinar session focusing on English Language Arts (ELA)-Reading activities, participants will gain skills in planning and delivering academic content to students with cognitive, communication, motor, and behavior challenges through a variety of literacy-rich activities to advance learning outcomes. Through depicting multi-sensory, hands- activities embedded in high interest scenarios, the session will demonstrate:
- Expand vocabulary skills (linking literacy with personal life experiences)
- Develop comprehension skills to identify main theme, characters, events, and conflicts in stories.
- Increase concept knowledge.
Participants will increase their knowledge of how to apply universal design for learning principles (UDL) to ensure accessibility and foster active learner participation, adjust the task complexity level aided with diverse teaching tools, and assistive technology supports matched to individual students’ strengths and needs.
Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Sarathy, MA, Author & Educational Consultant
Level: Beginner
November 4, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
In this highly practical webinar session focusing on Mathematics instructional activities, participants will gain skills in planning and delivering academic content integrated with functional activities to advance the learning outcomes for students with severe cognitive, communication and motor and behavior challenges. Through depicting several multi-sensory, hands- activities, the session will demonstrate how to address key concepts in Math content area using high interest scenarios:
- To use numbers in a variety of forms to solve problems in daily life.
- To increase awareness of amount, size, time concepts and the use of measurement tools.
- To use money in real-life situations and to solve problems using combination of coins and bills.
Participants will increase their knowledge of support tools including how to apply universal design for learning principles (UDL) as well as to adapt the task complexity level in the Math content area to enhance active student participation and response and facilitate progress.
Cost: Free
Presenter: Padmaja Sarathy, MA, Author & Educational Consultant
Level: Beginner
The World Returns to Somewhat Normal: Now I Have All These New Tools - How Can I Be Sure I Won’t Forget About Them?
November 10, 2021 | 2:00 PM CST | 60 minutes
The pivot to virtual/hybrid teaching and learning has literally forced educators to go all digital. Teachers are now using innovative digital tools to make learning engaging and successful during the pandemic. Now that we have all of these tools, how will we ensure that we don’t forget what we have learned when we return to F2F instruction? In this hands-on session, participants will become familiar with Task-Tool matrices that other educators have made as “Quick Start Guides” for remembering tools they found effective during the pandemic. Then, participants will create their own Task-Tool Matrix to use as a Quick Start Guide in their own classroom. Participants will then learn how to transition the matrix to an interactive, collaborative tool that can be shared with other teachers on social networks.
Cost: Free
Presenters: Jennifer Courduff, Ph.D. and Sarah Orton, M. Ed.
Level: Beginner
Mounting Speech Generating Devices and Tablets to Wheelchairs
December 14, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
The pivot to virtual/hybrid teaching and learning has literally forced educators to go all digital. Teachers are now using innovative digital tools to make learning engaging and successful during the pandemic. Now that we have all of these tools, how will we ensure that we don’t forget what we have learned when we return to F2F instruction? In this hands-on session, participants will become familiar with Task-Tool matrices that other educators have made as “Quick Start Guides” for remembering tools they found effective during the pandemic. Then, participants will create their own Task-Tool Matrix to use as a Quick Start Guide in their own classroom. Participants will then learn how to transition the matrix to an interactive, collaborative tool that can be shared with other teachers on social networks.
Cost: Free
Presenter: Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Level: Beginner
Switch Assessment, Part 1: Determining the Best Switch Type and Location for Clients with Muscle Weakness
December 16, 2021 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
This webinar will present assessment strategies to determine the optimal switch location and switch type to provide access for clients with muscle weakness. These clients require a switch placement and type that can capture very limited movement and force. Case studies will be included. Newly updated!
Cost: Free
Presenter: Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Level: Beginner
Switch Assessment Part 2: Determining the Best Switch Type and Location for Clients with Increased Muscle Tone
January 11, 2022 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
This webinar will present assessment strategies to determine the optimal switch location and switch type to provide access for clients with increased muscle tone. These clients require a switch placement and type that can capture isolated movement where available. This movement may be large and forceful. Case studies will be included. Newly updated!
Cost: Free
Presenter: Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Level: Beginner
Switch Assessment, Part 3: Determining the Best Switch Type and Location for Clients Aren't Engaged
February 8, 2022 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
This webinar will present assessment strategies to determine the optimal switch type and location for clients that are not engaged. It can be challenging to entice these clients to activate the switch and see it as a tool. Newly updated!
Cost: Free
Presenter: Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Level: Beginner
Pediatric Seating
March 8, 2022 | 11:00 AM CST | 60 minutes
This webinar will address the specific issues of Pediatric Seating. Growth, of course, is key with this population. Flexibility in a seating system is also required to accommodate orthopedic and range of motion changes and medical interventions, including surgeries and tone management. Positioning is also dependent on the mobility base, as many children use adaptive strollers, dependent manual wheelchairs, self-propulsion manual wheelchairs, and power wheelchairs. Newly updated!
Cost: Free
Presenter: Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Level: Beginner