Project KITE: A Strategic Model to Support Inclusive Services

1. Project KITE: A Strategic Model to Support Inclusive Services Presented by: Tenley Pettyjohn & Katrina Weibel Assistive Technology Specialists PACER Center

2. Today’s Agenda • PACER Center & Simon Technology Center • What is Project KITE? • Project KITE History • The 4 T’s of Project KITE • Project KITE Video • Questions & Evaluations

3. PACER Center • Not-for-profit organization • Serving parents of children with disabilities • Primarily staffed by parents of children with disabilities • Over 30 different programs.

4. Simon Technology Center • Assistive Technology Information & Referral • Library • Free Consultations • Free Workshops

5. PACER Center project Funded by MN Dept. of Ed. and IBM http://www.pacer.org/kite Project KITE: Kids Included through Technology are Enriched

6. Project KITE is… • An assistive technology training curriculum for parents of young children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.

7. Project KITE is… • Research based, best practice, field tested and state-of-the-art! “State-of-the-art for serving children with disabilities continues to be framed within the context of inclusive services. This framework includes services in natural environments for infants and toddlers and in least restrictive environments for preschoolers”, (Harbin, G., Rous B., and McLean M., Issues in Designing State Accountability Systems, Journal of Early Intervention, 2005. Vol. 27, No 3, 137-164).

8. Research Based Curriculum • Guralnick, M.J., 2001, Early Childhood Inclusion: Focus on Change, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. • NAEYC position statement on technology and young children-ages 3 through 8. 1996. Washington, DC: NAEYC. • Beck, J., 2002.Emerging Literacy Through Assistive Technology, Teaching ExceptionalChildren, 44-48 • Judge, S. L. 2000. Accessing and funding assistive technology for young children with disabilities. Early Childhood Education Journal, 28(2), 125-131. http://www.liuweronline.com/issn/1082-3301/contents

9. Project KITE is… • Proving inclusion and learning can be improved for young children with disabilities by using technology in early childhood environments. After teams had implemented KITE strategies with technology, learning opportunities increased for each KITE focus child in the classroom.

10. Project KITE is… • A positive model for long term effectiveness and success!! Long range Evaluation Results 3 – 6 months after KITE Training Fall 2006

11. History of Project KITE • Project first funded in 1994 • State wide and rural school districts • 75+ sites • 130+ parents trained • 250+ professionals trained • Over 4000+ young children impacted via the ripple effect

12. Project KITE Sites

13. Project KITE’s Goal • To foster active participation in learning and peer-interactions of children with disabilities in home and classroom settings through the use of assistive technology.

14. Teaming Training Technical Access Technical Assistance How does Project KITE achieve this goal?

15. Teachers Parents Service Providers Paraprofessionals Other Benefits of teaming: Relationships Experiences Ideas Shared Goals Project KITE Teams “Project KITE has afforded me an opportunity to spend time with a parent. Getting to know her helps me to understand her long-term goals for her son/my student. “ -ECSE teacher, Dover Elementary School

16. Information Presentation How to improve inclusion and and learning opportunities for young children Assistive Technology device demonstrations Universal Design Information & Referral Hands-On Trainings Customization of curriculum using BuildAbility and Clicker 5 software Tutorials for Boardmaker and Speaking Dynamically Pro Low-tech material production, networking and sharing of ideas and resources Project KITE Trainings Five 3-Hour trainings One on-sitedemonstration activity after Session 4

17. Project KITE Trainings • For each session, 100% of the participants answered that they had learned something new. The majority said the workshops were “excellent or very good.” 2005-2006

18. Project KITE Trainings • “I look forward to our sessions! I am beginning to think about Boardmaker as a first option when I want to create a learning tool.” – Parent • “All the ideas were very helpful. Especially the ideas for IEPs, goals, and objectives.” – Special Education teacher • “The instructional design is excellent! Subordinate skills are covered as well as steps. Good design!” – District AT Specialist • “I am eager to attend future sessions and continue learning about AT and how to apply to students.” – Occupational Therapist

19. Demonstration Activity Occurs after Session 4 Classroom setting Students participate in activities Activities should demonstrate the use of technology to include all students in the classroom. Project KITE Trainings

20. Demonstration Activities • Meet Addy

21. Demonstration Activities • Meet Andrea

22. Technology Access • Project KITE provides all participants with the following devices for the duration of training: • IBM PC computers • Digital cameras • Color Printers • In addition to these products: • 1 year STC Library membership – Access to over 2500 software titles and devices • Information on obtaining additional devices and hardware and….

23. Technology Access • Young Explorer Computer • Little Tikes station with IBM computer • 1 computer per team/school • Attendance and active participation required • Software included • $2,200 retail value!!!

24. Software Resources • BuildAbility by Attainment Company • www.attainmentcompany.com • Clicker 5 by Crick Software • www.cricksoft.com • Boardmaker & Speaking Dynamically Pro by Mayer Johnson, Inc. • www.mayer-johnson.com

25. Phone assistance E-Mail assistance Site visits Teaming resources Online AT Finder: www.pacer.org/stc/atfinder Technical Assistance

26. PACER Center Simon Technology Center 8161 Normandale Boulevard Bloomington, MN 55437 (952) 838-9000 (800) 537-2237 TTY 800-537-2237 (MN) www.pacer.org/stc tenley.mcdonald@pacer.org katrina.weibel@pacer.org Contact Info

27. Thank you for coming! Please complete the Simon Technology Center’s workshop participant information form and evaluation form. Please see us if you have any questions.