Training Calendar

TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2003

Central Maryland

LOOKING AT ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Tour the Universal Workplace and the Interactive Technology Suite at the Workforce and Technology Center and hear about the great variety of technologies available to help people with all kinds of disabilities. TRAINERS: Susan Levi, CRC, ATP, Rehabilitation Technologist or Patrick McCurdy, Information and Referral Specialist

This training will be held on the following Wednesdays in Room T-122:

2/19/03 10:00 AM - NOON
3/19/03 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
4/23/03 10:00 AM - NOON
5/21/03 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
6/25/03 10:00 AM - NOON

OTHER TRAINING TOPICS:

POWER MOBILITY

Learn when a scooter is the appropriate choice and when a power wheelchair might be a better choice. Explore the pros and cons of each form of powered mobility. As an extra added attraction, seating systems to provide additional support and comfort will be discussed. TRAINER: Jeff Cupps of Chesapeake Rehab Equipment, Inc.

Tuesday, May 13, 2003, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Room T- 22



WHEN ITS HARD TO REMEMBER

Mark your calendar! Put this into your PDA! Enter it into Outlook! Set an alarm! If you or someone you know has difficulty remembering things, you may want to attend this training. We will look at devices that can remind you when or how to do things, or what to do when. Both low tech and high tech strategies will be explored. TRAINER: Susan Levi, CRC, ATP, Rehabilitation Technologist

Tuesday, March 25, 2003, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Room T- 22

*****All trainings are intended to be for general information purposes. Recommendations of equipment to meet personal needs is not available.*****

TRAINING REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

Registration for all trainings must be received at least one week in advance. The trainings are free. However, please help us plan for the group size and needs by registering in advance. If you register and then find that you are unable to attend the training, please call to let us know.
To register, complete the attached form, and mail it to: MD TAP, Attn: Secretary, 2301 Argonne Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, or fax the form to: 410-554-9237.

If you have a group of 5 or more, we will arrange for individualized training or demonstrations of technologies at the Workforce and Technology Center. Groups of at least 10 can arrange for trainings or demonstrations of technologies at any site in the State of Maryland. Contact Susan Levi, Rehabilitation Technologist, for details, 410-554-9213.

Sorry, telephone and last minute registrations can not be accepted.

All trainings listed on this schedule will be held at the Workforce and Technology Center. Notices of trainings at other sites will be mailed separately. Trainers are provided courtesy of the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services, Workforce and Technology Center, Rehabilitation Technology Services, and Chesapeake Rehab Equipment.


Western Maryland

SWITCHED ON TO LEARNING
Workshop Suite:
Two-Switch Access to Learning, Play and Communication
March 4, 5, 6
Savage Fire Hall, Howard County, MD
SELECT THE COMPONENTS THAT BEST FIT YOUR NEEDS
Presenter: Linda Burkhart
March can be the start of the long decline to the end of the school year...OR it can be a time to re-energize staff and students with new approaches to finish the year with a bang. If you believe your students are ready to move beyond single switch access to the computer--this course is for you. If you believe your students are too low functioning for single switch access--this course is for you!

Course Overview: Let internationally renowned educator, lecturer and author, Linda Burkhart, show you how to move your students beyond cause and effect and single message devices using a single switch. Is automatic scanning too difficult? How do you present the student with appropriate communication and computer activities that are not dependent on timing a motor response? Two switch step scanning offers the flexibility to put the child in control and eliminate the timing factor. This presentation will cover a variety of commercially available software and authoring programs that may be accessed by two switch step scanning. Student examples will illustrate strategies and setups for use with play, communication, emergent literacy, and curricular activities.
For the purpose of this workshop suite, two step scanning will be defined as follows: Switch one advances the scan to the next item. To advance to a new item, switch one must be released and activated again. Once the desired item is reached, switch two is activated to select it. Length of time on and off the switch does not affect correct responses as there is no timing factor involved.
Target audience: This workshop suite is for anyone working with students who have severe multiple challenges and are struggling with switch access and with moving into the use of scanning. Some understanding of how scanning works would be helpful. Information shared will be useful to parents, teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and other supportive personnel.
Day 1 Full Day Lecture and demonstration
Date: March 4, 2003
Registration and Refreshments: 8:30 A.M.
Presentation: 9 A.M. to 4 P.M
Many students with severe physical challenges have difficulties
accessing communication devices and computer software. Their ability to
even access a single switch can be problematic because of their physical
challenges. Very few options are available for a single switch user.
Cause and effect software and one message voice-output devices are
available for the very beginning user, but there is a huge leap from
these to the more complex use of automatic scanning. This limits the
student's access to software and communication devices that could offer
more appropriate cognitive content.
This presentation will take a detailed look at the process of moving
from cause and effect to using two switches with cognitive engagement,
and then moving on to either one or two-switch scanning. Two-switch step
scanning will be further explored as a means to eliminate the struggle
of timed activation and put the child in control of the scanning process.
Strategies from "light tech" to "high tech" will be demonstrated through
case studies and hands-on demonstrations to illustrate strategies and
setups for use with play, communication, literacy, and curricular activities.
.
Learning Outcomes for Day 1 Lecture/Demonstration

Participants will be able to:
1. List the factors that influence success or failure with automatic scanning versus two-switch step scanning.
2. Discuss available software that utilizes two-switch step scanning as an access strategy.
3. Discuss creative strategies and software setups to motivate and teach skills in the areas of play, communication, emergent literacy, and communication utilizing two-switch step scanning.


DESIGNING TWO-SWITCH ACTIVITIES FOR COMPUTER ACCESS
Hands-On Computer Lab Experiences Days 2 and 3
Enrollment will be limited for the computer experiences. There will be a ratio of one instructor per 12 participants.
This hands-on computer workshop is a direct follow-up to the information and ideas presented on Day One of this workshop suite. Participants will have an opportunity to explore, modify, and create simple activities that enable students to use two switch step scanning for play, communication and curricular activities. The following software will be highlighted: IntelliPics "Classic" (Windows version only),
IntelliTalk II (Mac and Win), IntelliPics Studio (Mac and Win), and Overlay Maker (Mac and Win). Some familiarity with IntelliTools software is recommended.

Computer Lab Learning Outcomes:

Participants will be able to:
1. Explore a range of activities that may be accessed by a student using
two switches with two functions and two-switch step scanning.
2. Learn how to customize an activity from a template for individual objectives.
3. Modify and create activities to work with two switches, two functions
and two switch step scanning with the following software:
2nd day morning: IntelliPics Classic and Overlay Maker
2nd day afternoon: IntelliTalk II and Overlay Maker
3rd day all day: IntelliPics Studio and Overlay Maker
Day 2 Morning Session March 5, 2003
Computer lab featuring
IntelliPics Classic (Windows only) With Overlay Maker
Registration and Refreshments: 8:30 A.M.
Computer Lab /Presentation: 9 A.M. to 12 P.M.
Day 2 Afternoon Session March 5, 2003
Computer lab featuring
IntelliTalk II (Mac and Win versions) With Overlay Maker
Registration and Refreshments: 12:40 P.M.
Computer Lab /Presentation: 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M
Day 3 March 6, 2003
Computer lab featuring
IntelliPics Studio (Mac and Win versions) with Overlay Maker
Registration and Refreshments: 8:30 a.m.
Computer Lab /Presentation: 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Customize your learning experience!
In order to accommodate a variety of schedules, student needs, and software preferences, you may register for any combination of hands-on computer lab experiences so you can begin implementing strategies
immediately. Select the software applications that you may already be using
in your classroom. Please note that each lab activity features a different software application.
Schedule of Fees
PRICING FOR IN-STATE PROFESSIONALS
(thanks to funding support from MDTAP):
Any One day from series.....$75 Any One and a Half Days......$110
Any Two days.....$140 Two and a half days $175 Three days......$195
PRICING FOR MARYLAND PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
(thanks to funding support from MD DD Council):
Any One day from series.....$55 Any One and a Half Days......$90
Any Two days.....$110 Two and a half days $145....... Three days......$165

PRICING FOR OUT-OF-STATE PARTICIPANTS:
Any one day from series.....$100 Any One and a Half Days......$145
Any Two days.....$180 Two and a half days .......$220 Three days......$250
Please indicate on the registration form whether you will be bringing your own laptop with the appropriate software previously loaded or whether you plan to use one of the lab's laptops (PC only).
Workshop Bonus: Plan to take advantage of the special opportunity to purchase Linda Burkhart's latest CD, Two Switches To Success, at the special workshop price of $20 (regularly $25 plus shipping). The CD's will be available for purchase each day of the workshop. (Cash or check only, please.)


Eastern Shore

"In Home Behavior Management"
This workshop is intended for families of children/youth with disabilities. It explores practical strategies for handling difficult behavior and encouraging good behavior in the home.

Presented by: Dr. Gloria Lane
Dr. Lane has been a Board Member for the Parents' Place of Maryland for over ten years. She is a faculty member for the Special Education Department at John Hopkins University. Her area of experience and interest are children/youth with disabilities and their families.

Ocean Pines Public Library
11107 Cathell Rd.
Berlin, MD
Saturday-February 22, 2003
10:00AM to 12:30PM

For questions or to register, please call Becky Kuhn-Sykes 410-632-1553 or BECKYLEE61@aol.com by Wednesday-February 19, 2003.
There is no fee to attend this training. Lunch will be provided to participants after the training to provide families a networking opportunity.

This training is sponsored by: The ARC of Worcester County and
The Parents' Place of Maryland