maine aim program training webinar

Maine AIM Program

Training WebinarSuccess Stories About Students with Physical Disabilities Accessing AIM

PresentersDeb Dimmick

ALLTECHShannon McFarland,

Pine Tree Society

ObjectivesParticipants will understand • How physical disabilities impact student

access to curriculum materials.• Technologies that support student success.• Built-in accessibility features of frequently

used technologies.• How students are appropriately matched to

the right technologies.

What are Accessible Instructional Materials

(AIM)?Specialized formats of curricular content that can be used by and with learners who are unable to read or use standard print materials.• Braille.• Large print.• Audio.• Digital text.

What is a physical disability?

IDEA refers to physical disabilities as orthopedic impairment, and in C.F.R. Sec 300.7 states: "Orthopedic impairment means a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance.”

Why AIM for students with physical disabilities?

• Significant barriers to accessing curriculum materials:o Carrying materials.o Opening books/magazines, websites, etc.o Turning pages.o Making notes.

• Innovative and adaptive uses of technology support students with physical disabilities in having meaningful access to both digital (and standard print) materials.

Stories to be told…• Ryan• Colin• Torie• Julia• Joe• Camryn

RyanAbout Physical Characteristics

• 5-year-old boy.• Student in an

elementary functional skills class.

• Likes participating in class groups, sing-alongs, and using the computer.

• Non-ambulatory and non-verbal.

• Learning delays.• Some gross motor

movement.• Poor motor control.

Ryan’s Low Tech Adapted Books

Ryan’s Book with VOCA

• Boardmaker Plus.o Voice Output

Communication Aid (VOCA).

• Video demonstration of “Cupcake” book.

Ryan’s Book with Computer Access

Close-up of Switch Interface

ColinAbout Physical Characteristics

• High school student.• In a Functional Skills

classroom.• Enjoys being part of

class discussions and listening to stories.

• Cerebral palsy.• Significant vision

impairment.• Poor speech

intelligibility.• Poor motor control.

Colin’s Access to News-2-You (N2Y)

Key “Shortcuts” in N2Y

Programmable Switch Interface

Colin’s N2Y Setup

Demonstration of Colin’s Access to

N2Y

TorieAbout Physical Characteristics

• High school student.• Variety of reading interests.• Uses a variety of access

methods and materials.• Uses Tango AAC device and

“TangoLink” computer access feature.

• Uses auto and 2-switch scanning.

• Working on head pointer and eyegaze access

• Cerebral palsy.• Gross and fine motor

challenges.

Torie’s Head Pointer, AAC Device, Switches

Torie’s Page Turning Strategies

Torie’s AAC Device & Access

JuliaAbout Physical Characteristics

• Kindergartner.• Writes and paints with

her feet.• Highly verbal and

social. • Goal is to be treated

the same as her peers.

• Amyoplasia.• Cannot grasp or hold

with her hands.• Articulate speech.• Growing rapidly.

More Julia

Julia’s Wireless Wave Roller Trackball

Mouse• Placed on Julia’s

footrest.o Left, right, and drag

click.• Mounted with Velcro®.• Access to instructional

materials.o Digital books.o Worksheets.o Writing journals.o Websites.

Julia and Her Trackball Mouse

Julia’s Voice/Speech Recognition

• Julia uses her speech and articulation skills.o Transcribe text.o Utilize navigation

commands.• Access to instructional

materials.o Digital books.o Websites.

JoeAbout Physical Characteristics

• Soon to be 17-years-old.

• 11th grade student.• Suffered a motor

vehicle accident.• Plagued by fatigue as

transitioning back to school.

• Spinal cord injury – cervical level injury.

• Blood pressure has a tendency to drop, resulting in the need for a tilted wheelchair position.

More Joe

Joe’s Voice/Speech Recognition Tablet

• iPad 3rd Generation.• Stylus with cuff.• Use of Siri:

o Phone calls.o Select and play music.o Hear and compose text messages.o Use Maps and get directions.o Read notifications.o Find calendar information.o Add reminders.

• Access to instructional materials.o Bookshare and Learning Ally.

CamrynAbout Physical Characteristics

• 12-years-old.• Hard-working student.

• “Generalized Ligamentous Laxity of Ligaments.”

• “Essential Tremors.”• Degenerative disorder.• Fine and gross motor

delays. • Hand tremors. • Fatigue.

More Camryn

Camryn’s Cruise Trackpad

• Camryn controls cursor speed and direction with a single, soft touch of a control ring.

• Requires no hand or wrist movement.

Camryn’s Built-in Access to AIM

• Mac and Windows:o Virtual Keyboard.o Sticky Keys.o Cursor movement.o Cursor size/color.o Automator.

ResourcesPlease refer to each of our Speaker’s Notes for many more resources and associated websites.

Summary• A diverse array of technologies support students

with widely varying physical disabilities to access AIM.

• A thorough understanding of the student’s needs, preferences, characteristics, challenges, and goals is required for a successful match between the individual and the technology.

Thank You

Please visit or contact the Maine AIM Program online.

maine-aim.org info@maine-aim.org