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About LDANL

About LDANL. Acts as the provincial voice for individuals with learning disabilities and those who support them Offers programs to build social competence and independence skills. . Our Vision.

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About LDANL

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  1. About LDANL • Acts as the provincial voice for individuals with learning disabilities and those who support them • Offers programs to build social competence and independence skills.

  2. Our Vision Individuals with learning disabilities are identified and fully accommodated at the earliest opportunity, enabling them to reach their full potential.

  3. Assistive Technology What is AT?

  4. What is Assistive Tech? • “Any item, piece of equipment, or product system… that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals” (Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, 2005). • A method of universal design • Not a one-size-fits-all solution

  5. Why use Assistive Tech? • AT may improve students’ reading and writing abilities in all content areas(Bryant, Bryant, & Raskind, 1998; Forgrave, 2002; MacArthur, 2000). • Students can build on their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses • increased motivation, • higher rates of learning and • improved achievement may ensue (Forgrave, 2002).

  6. Limitations of AT • Providing technology does not ensure its successful use. • To effectively use Assistive Technology: • a supportive school environment is key • students need to be provided with adequate training • the technology needs to be assessed in order to ensure that there is a person-technology match • instruction needs to facilitate its use (Specht, Howell, & Young, 2007).

  7. Assistive Technology Available Supports

  8. Available Supports • Kurzweil 3000 • Word processor with text-to-speech engine • Study aid capabilities • Outlining and mind-mapping tool • http://www.jackson.stark.k12.oh.us/videos.cfm?vid=3104

  9. Available Supports Storyline Online • A free online streaming video program featuring books read aloud by members of the Screen Actors Guild. • Each book includes accompanying activities and lesson ideas. http://www.storylineonline.net/ Project Gutenberg • Over 36,000 free e-books. http://www.gutenberg.org/

  10. Available Supports Speak Selection (iOS 5.0) • iPad/iPod/iPhone • Free • Reads text aloud in iBooks (epub) or on supporting apps

  11. Available Supports Speak it! • Speak it allows you to copy e-mails, documents, web pages, or PDF files, and have the text spoken back to you. http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/speak-it-text-to-speech/id308629295?mt=8 Audiobooks • Audiobooks provides a simple way to listen to many of the best classic books and modern titles. http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/audiobooks/id311507490?mt=8

  12. Available Supports Calibre • Free e-book library management application. • Allows you to convert formats, rescale font sizes. • Can display the major e-book formats. • Highly useful in conjunction with Alternate Format Library http://calibre-ebook.com/

  13. Available Supports Readability • Free • Allows selection and modification of web content for easier reading. http://www.readability.com/

  14. Available Supports WordQ + SpeakQ • Word prediction similar to Google • Incorporated Voice Recognition / Dictation features • Reduced complexity www.goqsoftware.com

  15. Available Supports Dragon Naturally Speaking • Low cost voice recognition / dictation software. • Interacts with many other software (Word, Browsers, etc.) • Requires noise cancelling headset http://www.nuance.com/dragon/

  16. Available Supports Inspiration • Graphical organizer • Mind mapping • Highly beneficial writing tool http://www.inspiration.com/

  17. Available Supports Simplemind • Low cost alternative to Inspiration • Mind mapping • Primarily text solution www.simpleapps.eu/simplemind/

  18. Available Supports Braining Camp • Middle-school (grade 6-8) level math software • Animated lessons and interactive activities to assess student understanding. http://www.brainingcamp.com/resources/math/

  19. Available Supports National Library of Virtual Manipulatives • Comprehensive tools to assist in teaching math K-12 • Interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials http://nlvm.usu.edu/

  20. Math Manipulatives and Lessons Math Manipulatives • Online math manipulatives (K-8) http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/mathematics/ebook_assets/vmf/VMF-Interface.html Math Dictionary for Kids • An animated, interactive online math dictionary. • Explains over 600 common mathematical terms in simple language. http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/dictionary.html

  21. Math Manipulatives and Lessons Web Math • A math-help web site that generates answers to math questions and shows how to arrive at the answer. http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/mathematics/ebook_assets/vmf/VMF-Interface.html IXL Math • All of IXL's dynamic math practice skills are aligned to provincial curricula. • IXL assesses students' performance on each objective. • Pre-K through 8th grade activities. http://ca.ixl.com/math/comingsoon

  22. Math Games Sumdog • Sumdog's learning engine adapts its math questions to each student's ability. • Designed for students age 6 to 14. • Covers number operations through to simple algebra. http://www.sumdog.com/

  23. Available Supports iCalendar, Wunderlist, Remember The Milk • Free • Quick and easy to use organization utilities • Aid in combatting disability related organizaiton difficulties http://www.wunderlist.com/http://www.rememberthemilk.com/

  24. Available supports Other Options • Many solutions • Not always software • Simplest solution is frequently the best

  25. Assistive Technology How to Request

  26. Request Process Getting the AT you need • Student, Parent, Teachers, or Guidance recommend AT options to ISSP or IEP team • ISSP or IEP team makes a decision to explore AT options, and choose potential AT for trial • 30 day trial of AT begins

  27. Request Process Continued • AT trial use form is completed • If trial period warrants full use of AT, AT request form is completed and submitted to Dept. of Education. • For assistance or questions on completing this process, contact LDANL main office

  28. Accommodations and Support Rights

  29. Rights Every student with a disability has a right to reasonable accommodation • What is “reasonable?” • Importance of building a dialogue • Supporting yourself through LDANL

  30. Learning Disabilities and the Law Human Rights Code • S(9)     (1)     An employer, or person acting on behalf of an employer, shall not refuse to employ or to continue to employ or otherwise discriminate against a person in regard to employment or a term or condition of employment because of • (a) that person's race, religion, religious creed, political opinion, colour or ethnicity, national or social origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability…

  31. What are your questions?

  32. Contact Info Shane Martland Community Outreach SpecialistLearning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Shane@ldanl.ca 709-753-1445 www.ldanl.ca Dr. Gabrielle Young gabrielle.young@mun.ca Assistant Professor, Special Education 709-864-4413Memorial University of Newfoundland

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