• Introduction
• Looking at Assistive Technology
• The Nuts and Bolts of Accessible Information Technology
• Assistive Technology for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities
• Finding A Voice: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Job Accommodations
• Assistive Technology for People Who Have Low Vision

Introduction

The following are some of the upcoming trainings that will be presented by Maryland Technology Assistance Program and Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services

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. Registration is limited to 14.

This training will be held in Room T-42 on the following dates:
Tuesday, September 20 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Thursday, October 20 - 10:00 am to 12Noon
Thursday, November 17 - 10:00 am to 12Noon

Presenters: Susan Levi, CRC, ATP, Rehabilitation Technologist - DORS Staff, DORS and TAP

The Nuts and Bolts of Accessible Information Technology

Explore ways of making information accessible to people with a variety of disabilities, including (1) assistive technologies (hardware and software) that provide computer access and (2) educational software that is accessible and usable for students. This session includes demonstration of a screen reader, common problems that make web sites inaccessible, and a video on computer access. Registration limited to 14.

This training will be held in Room T-42 on the following dates:
Thursday, September 22 10:00 am to 12Noon
Tuesday, November 22 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Presenters: David Poehlman, IT Coordinator, MD TAP

Assistive Technology for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities

Here's a hands-on demonstration of AT to help compensate for memory deficits, organizational difficulties, reading and writing disorders, and more. Products include digital voice recorders; cuing watches; memory aids; special workstation designs; and computer accommodations for organization, reading and writing (e.g., spelling/grammar checkers, thought organizers, auditory feedback, scanners and optical character recognition (OCR).

Wednesday, September 21 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Room T-42

Presenter: Susan Levi, CRC, ATP, Rehabilitation Technologist, DORS

Finding A Voice: Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Arguably the most powerful type of assistive technology, augmentative and alternative communication devices come in nearly as many varieties as there are communication styles. This hands-on demonstration covers the range of low tech to high tech solutions, including communication boards, speech synthesis and voice devices, computer-based systems and switch access. The session also covers preparing medical justifications and funding strategies.

Wednesday, October 19 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Room T-22

Presenter: Angela Strauch, MS, CCC-SLP, United Cerebral Palsy

Job Accommodations

Here's how you can get the job done, even if the job isn't done right for you. "Reasonable accommodations" can make workplaces and tasks accessible to people with physical, sensory, perceptual or cognitive disabilities. Observe some of the best practices in the field, highlighted by case studies.

Wednesday, October 26 10:00 am- 12 Noon
Room T-130

Presenter: Jim Corey, Director, Rehabilitation Technology Services, DORS

Assistive Technology for People Who Have Low Vision

People with low vision can benefit from a host of assistive technologies that magnify images to perform numerous functions. Learn about closed circuit televisions (CCTV's), computer screen enlargers (software and hardware), accessibility features in popular software products and sensory aids.

Wednesday, October 26 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Room T-130

Presenters: Pam Winpigler, Rehabilitation Technologist, DORS Melissa Bell, Rehabilitation Technologist, DORS