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Assistive Technology Application & Integration - Nova Scotia ATAINS Conference, Draft Agenda, SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Ron LeBlanc to pipe you into the Atains Conference Registration The stirring sounds of the bagpipes played by Ron LeBlanc will welcome you to the ATAINS Conference on April 3, from 2-3 p.m. as you arrive to register. Mr. Ron LeBlanc has many years of experience piping for a wide variety of events. For more information about Ron go to http://www.celticww.ns.ca/pipes ATAINS Conference, Draft Agenda, SUBJECT TO CHANGE Thursday, April 3rd, 2003
Friday, April 4th, 2003
Saturday, April 5th, 2002
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
THE FUNDAMENTAL SENSE OF CONNECTEDNESS Marcia Scherer Keynote Speaker Our fundamental sense of connectedness, our sense of well-being, is usually derived from the quality of interactions we have over time. We need to feel that we're connected with our environment and the people and information that we value. Assistive and educational technologies have already done much to eliminate the challenges and barriers posed by disabilities and they will be even more crucial to the educational and vocational success of this population from the boardroom to the classroom; in the community and in the home. However, in most areas of life, technology has brought both promises and pitfalls. While there are many benefits to be gained by using technologies, they have the potential to limit and isolate as well as enable, liberate, and connect their users. As paradoxical as it sounds, some technologies can sometimes work against connectedness as they highlight a person's differences and set users apart as looking "different." While many individuals have grown to be grateful for their technologies, others have often felt stigmatized by them and even resented the need to use them. How, then, can we heighten the benefits of technology use and eliminate as much discomfort as possible? One important means is by using a user-centered and comprehensive assessment process at the beginning of the decision-making process around support and technology selection. As one assessment tool, the Matching Person & Technology process will be described. Marcia Scherer
Keynote Speaker's Power Point Presentation
SECOND KEYNOTE SPEAKER BOOKED ACTION READ - ADULTS, LITERACY AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Jennifer Hunt is the Adaptive Technology Project
Co-ordinator at Action Read in Guelph, Ontario, a community based literacy
centre for educationally disadvantaged adults. The project, now in
its second phase, has been both pioneering and successful as the use of
Adaptive Technology in the field of literacy is non-existent or sporadic
at best. Jennifer has also spent many years with the Trillium School,
a provincial demonstration school for students with severe learning disabilities
where Adaptive Technology has been assisting students for years.
Jennifer has extensive experience working with special needs learners at
Sheridan College and other organizations to assist learners who face a
wide range of learning challenges - including learning disabilities, visual,
auditory, physical, emotional and mobility issues. She has
a certificate from Sheridan College from the Educational Assistant program,
a business diploma from Georgian College and is currently studying at the
University of Guelph where she is finishing up a degree in Psychology.
Jennifer Hunts Second Keynote Speaker's Power Point Presentation Adaptive Technology Project Description Action Read Community Literacy Centre is a non-profit charitable organization that has been providing literacy and numeracy tutoring for educationally disadvantaged adults in Guelph, Ontario since 1987. Many of the adults who have accessed the Centre's services over the years face a wide range of learning challenges which make individualized learning programs essential. Accordingly, the Centre's staff and volunteers have had to seek out a variety of learning resources. The Adaptive Technology Project started its first phase in August 2001. In pursuit of this prospect, a successful application was made to the National Literacy Secretariat and the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities for a project which would; a) field test text-reading software with adult literacy learners, and b) make recommendations regarding the various software packages and their applicability for people working in the adult literacy field. In its second phase, the focus is on expressive writing. Action Read will be using a range of excellent programs that assist adults in a meaningful way with expressive writing using word prediction, sentence formation, idea organization, error recognition, draft writing and visual thinking tools. The specialized software that we will be using include; Inspiration 6, Draft:Builder, Co-Writer 4000, Word Q, Read & Write, Write:Outloud, ZoomText and PowerPoint. The multi-sensory approach that Adaptive Technology provides has been instrumental in improving motivation and self-efficacy in many of our learners where remediation has not been successful in the past. The Assistive Technology Centre invites
you to attend our first, international Assistive Technology ‘Best Practices’
Conference to be held at the Nova Scotia Community College: Lunenburg Campus
Throughout the 3-day conference you will explore
best practices in assistive technology through:
And you will enjoy:
Vendor Display Booths Welcome
In Partnership with: Nova Scotia Community College:
Lunenburg Campus, Betacom Corporation, South Shore District School Board,
Assistive Technology Centre Society
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