Public School Systems now can Purchase Assistive Technology at a Discount
Now ALL of Maryland's Public School Systems can purchase needed Assistive Technology devices and software at discounted rates!
MSDE and MDTAP are providing funding for the increased staff time necessary to allow all rural systems to begin to save immediately on purchases and training. These systems will initially order directly through the Maryland Assistive Technology Cooperative at "Save As You Go Rates" until a base level of savings have been achieved.
A.T. Team Leaders from Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, Calvert, St. Mary's, Cecil, Kent, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Worcester and Wicomico Counties should contact the Co-op at your earliest convenience to establish membership files. All personnel from these counties should check the "Save As You Go" Chart under the PRICING button of the website www.matcoop.org after Labor Day to see the discounted rates available to you for school and personal purchase.
Founding members* will be invoiced for their membership dues after October 1st, but can continue to receive maximum discounts immediately by referring to the "Founding Members" chart under the PRICING button of the website www.matcoop.org after Labor Day.
Direct purchasing inquiries to Amanda at 410-290-1327.
Direct membership and policy inquiries to Susan at 410-792-9901 or to info@matcoop.org
*Founding members include: Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Queen Anne's Counties; plus Maryland School for the Blind, St. Elizabeth's and Ivymount Schools; the Kennedy Kreiger Institute and School; and Montgomery County Head Start.
Job opening for Instructor at the NorCal Center on Deafness
Job Announcement
NorCal Center on Deafness
Position: Instructor
Department: Basic Skills Training (BST) (Literacy Program)
Location: Sacramento, HQ
Salary: $27,000 - $32,000 annually plus fringe benefits
Final Filing Date: Open until filled
Responsibilities:
1. Assist the Program Manager in the development of appropriate program curriculum.
2. Develop and implement individual service plans (ISPs) with Department of
Rehabilitation consumers and their Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf (RCDs).
3. Prepare appropriate learning units to facilitate consumer achievement of goals outlined in the service plan.
4. Conduct ongoing client evaluation and write progress reports.
5. Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager or the Chief Executive Officer.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience working in a related field; possess an adult education, community college, or teacher of the deaf credential; demonstrated experience teaching deaf and hard of hearing adults with limited communication skills; demonstrated experience preparing lesson plans and support materials; fluency in American Sign Language required; good organization skills; and ability to work in a team environment.
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and current automobile insurance as required by law.
Interested applicants please send cover letter and resume to:
Sheri Farinha Mutti, CEO
NorCal Center on Deafness
1820 Tribute Road, Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 921-1045 v/tty
***NorCal Center on Deafness is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer***
ARTREACH, Inc. introduces a cultural access guide
ARTREACH Inc. Announces the Delaware Valley's First Cultural Access Guide!!
Access the Arts, etc... A Guide for People with Disabilities
includes information about:
Sum wheelchair accessibility of entrances, restrooms, and more
Sum phone and TTY numbers
Sum programmatic accessibility such as large print, assistive listening devices and Sign Language interpretation
Access to the Arts, etc... is available for $5 per copy or $3 per copy for orders of ten or more (plus postage and handling).
To get more information or to order your copies of Access to the Arts, etc... call ARTREACH at 215-951-0316, e-mail at atreach@libertynet.org, or fill out the order form and mail it with check/money order made out to ARTREACH, Inc., 3721 Midvale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19129.
Name: ____________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________
Individual Copies:
Number of printed copies or audio cassettes @ $5.00 each: ___________
+$1.25 postage.handling for 1st guide: ____________________________
+$.40 for each additional guide: _________________________________
+$2.00 for each cassette: _______________________________________
Bulk Sales (10 or more):
Number of copies @ $3.00/each: ________________________________
$4.00 flat postage fee: _________________________________________
+$.10 for each additional copy over 10: ___________________________
Total enclosed: ______________________________________________
ANNOUNCING! A New Service from the Maryland Assistive Technology Cooperative
* Are parents requesting an outside evaluation or second opinion?
* Are you working with a student who is using assistive technology, but just isn't making gains?
* Do you have students who present challenges that go beyond the expertise of your local team?
* Do you have Assistive Technology personnel who would like to expand their knowledge and require training at a more sophisticated level?
* Do you have students who have devices that are under-utilized due to inadequate staff training or lack of a comprehensive action plan?
Starting this fall, school systems and private schools will be able to contract with the Maryland A.T. Co-op for Cooperative Evaluation Training's.
Cooperative Evaluation Trainings are targeted for students who
* face severe or low incidence disabilities
* may have tried a variety of technologies without sufficient success
* may be very young, but face severe physical challenges (students who will need a variety of technologies to participate effectively in the learning process and need to get started early in the right direction)
* may be in a transition period where strategies that have worked at a younger educational levels are no longer appropriate or effective for the demands of the new educational setting
Our team will work cooperatively with your local team to find workable solutions and practical strategies. Emphasis is placed on the needs of the student and the goals of the local team and family. This model has the dual advantage of providing an assistive technology evaluation for a student while also providing training and support for the staff who works with the student day to day. Whenever possible, local resources are utilized to determine what is feasible before looking into new technologies. The whole range of "light tech" to "high tech" to "no tech" solutions will be explored.
The Cooperative Evaluation Training Team will:
* Review the referral video and information ahead of time to devise possible alternatives to explore
* Provide materials and resources for the session when possible
* Conduct one half-day session per student-at your site!
* Lead the process and involve the local team members
* Write an Action Plan report based on discussions with the local team
* Provide technical support and follow-up via email and phone contact
* Coordinate limited loan of equipment through MD TAP and provide extensive information about rental options from vendors.
For maximum benefit, schools will need to:
* Select a student who presents significant needs and who may benefit from the use or refined use of Assistive Technology.
* Identify a local team who serves the individual student and who will be available to participate in the evaluation. Members may include administrators, assistive technology specialists, special educators, regular educators, paraprofessionals and assistants, physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, vision and hearing specialists, family members, and the student if appropriate.
* Arrange a date with the Maryland A.T. Cooperative Team
* Arrange for release time for those team members who will be participating and provide a room for the session. Local computers may need to be available, if the student's needs include computer technology.
* Send information and a short video ahead of time to the Cooperative Evaluation Training Team explaining the student's abilities and needs and brief review of what has been tried with the student including current successes and problems. Forms will be provided.
* Participate in the session to determine needs, work along side the Cooperative Evaluation Training Team to evaluate the student using the technologies and discuss observations and ideas for an action plan.
For more information contact Susan Garber at 410-792-9901 or 410-554-9244 or
e-mail info@matcoop.org
Currently The Cooperative Evaluation Team members include:
Linda Burkhart:
Linda Burkhart is an internationally known pioneer in the field of simplified technology for children with severe challenges. As a special educator her experience includes teaching school age children with orthopedic disabilities and preschool children with severe and profound disabilities, including a preschool "total communication classroom" for children who are pre-verbal or non-verbal. For eight years she served as augmentative communication and assistive technology specialist for the Center for Technology in Education, conducting workshops and providing direct service as member of the Statewide Technology Assistance and Training (STAT) Team. She presents and consults internationally on practical strategies for assistive technology and augmentative communication from "light tech" to "high tech." She is the author of four books.
Susan Garber:
After 18 years as a special educator working with students of many ages and disabilities plus two advanced degrees in communicative disorders and technology, Susan became Program Director for assistive technology training at the Center for Technology in Education. In that position she developed both in-service and graduate level programs and lead the multidisciplinary STAT Team. For four years she served on an 11 member international Professional Standards Board to develop a credential for Assistive Technology Practitioners and Suppliers. She has presented at numerous conferences and authored a chapter and several articles on A.T. evaluations and program development. She is currently the Executive Director of the Maryland Assistive Technology Cooperative, known for its innovative discounted purchasing and training.
