A weekly half hour chat focused on improving access to education for PK-12 students through the use of Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Assistive Technology (AT).
Tell us who u are and in the spirit of fall season share ur wannabe Halloween costume 4 u or ur pet with a GIF Be sure to model accessibility by adding GIF description! Don't forget to use the hashtag 4 each tweet! #PatinsIcam
Hi. Kelil in Indiana, a @PATINSPROJECT Specialist in ASD,SLD, Chrome Accessibility, AEM, AT Integration and ur moderator! If I had this dog the wannabe pet costume: [GIF: dog wearing unicorn costume] #PatinsIcam
hello! Bev Sharritt, specialist for Blind/Low Vision for PATINS #PatinsIcam I am knitting a cactus hat for my 2 month old grandaughter--if you watch The Good Place you will understand.
Hi, Jessica, SLP + PATINS Specialist and Disney Nerd, so this Halloween I'm going to be a character from Disney's Wreck-It Ralph [gif: Taffyta Muttonfudge licking a lollipop, looking unimpressed] #PatinsIcam
I am Julie Kuhn, PATINS Specialist for Orthopedic Access to the Curriculum, AAC, AT Team Development. Feeling a Halloween Ninja thing going on. #PatinsIcam
A1: I think of the QI's as the force that informs our service. Also, as a scoop, that rakes in those students w/print disabilities and no IEP. #patinsicam
A1: They aren't just important, AEM is essential 4 Ss with SLD. If we truly want 2 what our Ss know, feel, think- specialized formats r imperative to their learning. Ss NEED 2 know and feel they r worth it. Invest in them #PatinsIcam
A2: Q's to ask textbook adopt: Is it real text? Can it be highlighted and read by a screen reader? If it has a screen reader built in, does it highlight text, can it be adjusted and manipulated. How easy is it to utilize? #PatinsIcam
A2: More Q's to ask textbook adopt: Can it be changed with regard to color, size, background? Can outside AT be used with it or is it locked down? Are any included videos captioned? Can someone using a screen reader like JAWS navigate the material easily?
#PatinsIcam
A2: taking some of the materials for a test drive with a student might be helpful too. It might meet the letter of the contract, but IT and Ts might need to plan some more #PatinsIcam
A2: Some more Q's 2 ask textbook adopt: If responses from Ss are required as part of the material being purchased, does it allow for multiple ways to respond? Outside Speech To Text Software, alternate keyboards, joysticks, etc?
#PatinsIcam
A2: If materials will be used on multiple types of devices, ask for it to be demonstrated on all of them when considering adoption of materials. #PatinsIcam
A2: We need to make sure non-textbook materials, such as teacher-or district-generated curriculum are accessible as well by district policy. #PatinsIcam
A3: Having a sustainable, fluid system built within the district so Ts know they how, what and way. Training each yr on that system and how to access contacts #PatinsIcam
Q3: I tell DRMs and teachers, Plan Ahead. If you wait until the school year begins, there goes "timely manner." Particularly for hard copy braille and LP.#patinsicam
A3: check in, keep the lines of communication open. Have a well designed process that includes ALL students, share widely, ensure everyone (including students) understand what it is and take data #PatinsIcam
A3: for Braille, it means early ordering so that it can be produced in time--but also having a plan B because creative teachers should be allowed to change plans/materials last minute--so a transcribing staff/plan and embosser #PatinsIcam
A3: for students that don't qualify for ICAM services, making sure that students aren't stuck with shoddy bandaid solutions. Free apps and cheap extensions for AEM is nice, but not FAPE when it doesn't work with 1/2 of your math and science books. #PatinsIcam
A4 Make sure staff is trained and comfortable with the materials. Training and making sure there’s a document out that everyone knows about and can access. #PatinsIcam
A5: Helping Ss figure out how they learn best. Ss often do not know and r NEVER asked. We take the time to ASK them. Our Ss success starts with support and they deserve that & so do their parents. #PatinsIcam
A5: I love hearing about our AEMing for Achievement Grant teams utilizing student "ambassadors" to train fellow students, parents (and staff) So awesome! #PatinsIcam
A5: Share ways to access materials in different manners. i.e. Auditory, digital and get a list of where to find this in the community, such as the library. #PatinsIcam
A6: Ss needs to play a role in their OWN learning and know how to self advocate 4 themselves. Empower them by discovering WITH them as 2 how they learn best and teach them the tools 4 access #PatinsIcam
A7: Good evaluations that include lots of involvement and communication with the student, their setting, and the tasks they'll need to complete with materials #PatinsIcam
A7: money. training. technology. people. understanding. TIME. Plan for that need, demonstrate its effect on student outcomes, be prepared to educate, explain, and defend #PatinsIcam
