AT Maker Extravaganza
Held in the Spring of 2019 at Washtenaw ISD.
Keynote Address
AT Makers — Making Dreams Come True by Therese Willkomm, PhD
This keynote addressed the assistive technology makers movement and the desire for everyone to be an innovator and maker of assistive technology solutions for all ages and all life functions. The keynote included video clips and demos of over 100 amazing assistive technology solutions that can be created in minutes. Participants learned how ordinary items can be quickly turned into extraordinary solutions and how Neurodiversity of seeing the world upside down, inside out and backwards becomes a strength for inventing and making A.T. devices.
This keynote addressed the assistive technology makers movement and the desire for everyone to be an innovator and maker of assistive technology solutions for all ages and all life functions. The keynote included video clips and demos of over 100 amazing assistive technology solutions that can be created in minutes. Participants learned how ordinary items can be quickly turned into extraordinary solutions and how Neurodiversity of seeing the world upside down, inside out and backwards becomes a strength for inventing and making A.T. devices.
The following breakout sessions were provided:
Using Amazing New Tools and Materials for Making Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes (Vogel A) Therese Willkomm, PhD
This hands on workshop will discuss and demonstrate an assortment of tools and materials for rapid fabrication of assistive technology solutions. Each person will receive a mini MacGyver Tape Kits of the 10 most popular multi-use specialty tapes used in creation of hundreds of solutions. In addition, participants will explore 20 different plastics, wire, and foam materials and six different for making “AT” solutions in minutes.
This hands on workshop will discuss and demonstrate an assortment of tools and materials for rapid fabrication of assistive technology solutions. Each person will receive a mini MacGyver Tape Kits of the 10 most popular multi-use specialty tapes used in creation of hundreds of solutions. In addition, participants will explore 20 different plastics, wire, and foam materials and six different for making “AT” solutions in minutes.
Design For Success: Creating a Flexible, Student Centered Learning Space (Vogel B) Susan Hardin
Give your classroom a total makeover. Learn how to use UDL and design thinking to create a flexible classroom that promotes collaboration, agency and success for all learners. Learn about intentional classroom design from successful teachers and carefully curated resources.
Give your classroom a total makeover. Learn how to use UDL and design thinking to create a flexible classroom that promotes collaboration, agency and success for all learners. Learn about intentional classroom design from successful teachers and carefully curated resources.
Positioning and Mounting Considerations for Successful Technology Access and Use (Vogel C) Donn Hilker & Seong-Hee Yoon
Sometimes the way an assistive technology device needs to be positioned will make-or-break whether our students are successful using their technology. Come see and explore a variety of mounting systems that can be used for AAC devices, laptops, phones, tablets, and more. We will have a range of simple to complex systems and would love to discuss your current mounting/positioning dilemmas.
Sometimes the way an assistive technology device needs to be positioned will make-or-break whether our students are successful using their technology. Come see and explore a variety of mounting systems that can be used for AAC devices, laptops, phones, tablets, and more. We will have a range of simple to complex systems and would love to discuss your current mounting/positioning dilemmas.
Adaptive Design DIY for the Everyday Classroom (Seminar 3) Jim Kauppila and Corinn Hower
Flexible seating options, slant boards, tablet/book holders. . . simple additions to your classroom environment can make a big difference, but they also add up quickly. Attend this session and learn how you can use cardboard, glue, and a few simple tools to design and create student-friendly learning spaces. In this 120 minute session, you’ll have the opportunity to choose one of three simple designs that you can create and take with you to use in your classroom tomorrow. We’ll also give you tips and resources to set up your own adaptive design space to help meet special education students adaptive workspace needs.
Flexible seating options, slant boards, tablet/book holders. . . simple additions to your classroom environment can make a big difference, but they also add up quickly. Attend this session and learn how you can use cardboard, glue, and a few simple tools to design and create student-friendly learning spaces. In this 120 minute session, you’ll have the opportunity to choose one of three simple designs that you can create and take with you to use in your classroom tomorrow. We’ll also give you tips and resources to set up your own adaptive design space to help meet special education students adaptive workspace needs.
Out of Our Seats and Out of the Box: Make and Take/Hands On (Seminar 4) Raleigh Sadlier and Margaret Bouwkamp
Our time during this session will be spent making classroom materials to add the kinesthetic component to writing, math, promoting conversation, and listening to and following verbal instructions, the many important areas that impact student achievement. We will have a brief presentation of various tools that can be made followed by time to make a few of the tools yourself. There will be visuals provided for all the tools so that you can make additional materials for student use on your own.
Our time during this session will be spent making classroom materials to add the kinesthetic component to writing, math, promoting conversation, and listening to and following verbal instructions, the many important areas that impact student achievement. We will have a brief presentation of various tools that can be made followed by time to make a few of the tools yourself. There will be visuals provided for all the tools so that you can make additional materials for student use on your own.
Boardmaker v.6 Plus - Interactive Activities (Technology Lab) Kellie Hanlon, Laura LaPorte & Denise Wilke
A brief overview of how to make static boards will be provided. The ladies will then review how to find previously created materials on Boardmaker online (previously Boardmaker share), and how to find and download the correct file type. Then dive into learning how to edit and create interactive boards.
A brief overview of how to make static boards will be provided. The ladies will then review how to find previously created materials on Boardmaker online (previously Boardmaker share), and how to find and download the correct file type. Then dive into learning how to edit and create interactive boards.
Discover the Magic of Corrugated Plastic – A Hands On Make and Take Session (Vogel A) Therese Willkomm, PhD
This workshop explores over 100 different assistive technology solutions that can be created with Corrugated plastic to support student who experience vision, hearing, communication, physical and intellectual impairments for reading, writing, communicating, working, living and leisure activities such as painting, drawing or music. Each person will make three different multi-use assistive technology solutions to take home.
This workshop explores over 100 different assistive technology solutions that can be created with Corrugated plastic to support student who experience vision, hearing, communication, physical and intellectual impairments for reading, writing, communicating, working, living and leisure activities such as painting, drawing or music. Each person will make three different multi-use assistive technology solutions to take home.
Literacy Your Way: Adapted Books for the visually and multiply impaired (Vogel B) Sarah Startgardt & Elisabeth Mills
As educators, we have a multitude of resources for student who read braille or print. But what about those individuals who aren't able to access either of those formats? This presentation will share a wide variety of non-traditional strategies (elementary through high school) used with students with multiple disabilities to ensure they are able to read. These take-away ideas will help include students in classroom/home routines, foster independent reading, take your student to the next step in literacy, and promote a love of literacy. Most ideas are low cost and user friendly!
As educators, we have a multitude of resources for student who read braille or print. But what about those individuals who aren't able to access either of those formats? This presentation will share a wide variety of non-traditional strategies (elementary through high school) used with students with multiple disabilities to ensure they are able to read. These take-away ideas will help include students in classroom/home routines, foster independent reading, take your student to the next step in literacy, and promote a love of literacy. Most ideas are low cost and user friendly!
Boardmaker Online (Vogel C) Kellie Hanlon, Laura LaPorte & Denise Wilke
A review of the features available for Boardmaker online will be provided. You will be walked through searching for templates and previously created materials. A brief discussion on how to create and edit boards will be provided.
A review of the features available for Boardmaker online will be provided. You will be walked through searching for templates and previously created materials. A brief discussion on how to create and edit boards will be provided.
AT Maker group in action using Design Theory (Seminar 4) Amanda Ream
This session is to share the journey of the 5th grade maker group using the design theory model to link with peers in a local SXI classroom. The maker group combined assistive technology and the maker culture, which is a combining technology and engineering and moving from process to practice. The focus is for the maker group is to look for ways to make their peers lives better. This session will highlight barriers, successes and the relationships built through this process. The learners are not able to attend but the session will show videos and possibly video conferencing to hear from the students themselves. Join the movement!!
This session is to share the journey of the 5th grade maker group using the design theory model to link with peers in a local SXI classroom. The maker group combined assistive technology and the maker culture, which is a combining technology and engineering and moving from process to practice. The focus is for the maker group is to look for ways to make their peers lives better. This session will highlight barriers, successes and the relationships built through this process. The learners are not able to attend but the session will show videos and possibly video conferencing to hear from the students themselves. Join the movement!!
design_thinking_framework_handout.docx |
3D printing and AT (Technology Lab) Dr. Julia Vandermolen
This session provides rehabilitation specialists and educators with a framework in which to implement 3D printing as a tool for persons with disabilities. Additionally, this session describe the strategies utilized on teaching and learning strategies for a more inclusive learning environment.
This session provides rehabilitation specialists and educators with a framework in which to implement 3D printing as a tool for persons with disabilities. Additionally, this session describe the strategies utilized on teaching and learning strategies for a more inclusive learning environment.
Writing with Accessible Pencils (Vogel A) Brad Haeflinger
This session will look at ways to making writing accessible to all students. By using “alternative pencils”, we can provide opportunities to develop meaningful and purposeful writing for students with significant disabilities.
This session will look at ways to making writing accessible to all students. By using “alternative pencils”, we can provide opportunities to develop meaningful and purposeful writing for students with significant disabilities.
Switchin' it Up! (Vogel B) Dawn Jones and Teresa Bitti
Increase the amount of access your switch users have with the use of the Tecla-e and iOS Recipes. We will be exploring the TECLA –e which facilitates switch access for up to 7 Bluetooth devices and well as creating iOS recipes to provide better switch access to iOS devices.
Increase the amount of access your switch users have with the use of the Tecla-e and iOS Recipes. We will be exploring the TECLA –e which facilitates switch access for up to 7 Bluetooth devices and well as creating iOS recipes to provide better switch access to iOS devices.
switchinitup_handout.pdf |
Tinkering with Toys: Creating Your Own Adapted Toys (Vogel C) Jamie Mayo
Reliable switch skills give students access to their schoolwork, communication, mobility, recreation and many other activities that increase their quality of life. However, learning early switch skills can be very difficult. Come learn why switch adapted toys can take some of the stress out of learning new switch skills and how to get accessible toys in your school.
Reliable switch skills give students access to their schoolwork, communication, mobility, recreation and many other activities that increase their quality of life. However, learning early switch skills can be very difficult. Come learn why switch adapted toys can take some of the stress out of learning new switch skills and how to get accessible toys in your school.