OK, so there’s no hiding the fact that I’ve been a nearly-hopeless blogger this Fall 2012.  But, I’m here today.   I’ll do my best to be here next Friday as well.  I hope that most readers/subscribers have stuck with me and in return, I’ll try hard to make up for lost posts in the coming weeks.

3rd Grade Braille Challenge Winner Video Interview:  This past August, I enjoyed the distinct privilege of interviewing Drew about his accomplishments, his use of AT and AIM in school and at home, his personal drive and his inspirational attitude!  There are two parts to this video interview, each approx. 25 min. in length.  Not only does Drew discuss the importance of assistive technology and accessible materials in his life, but he provides some fascinating insight into some aspects of being blind that many people may not think about on their own.  Drew has a passion for life that is unmistakable and a drive to succeed that is inspirational.  I want to be like Drew when I grow up!  

• Watch Part I & II Here:  http://bit.ly/patinstv
• Just choose “AIM & AT in Action!” from the Channels Drop-Down Menu!

AND, while were on the topic of Video:  Have you been watching the LIVE PATINS TV?   Jeff Bond and I are live for 15 minutes over lunch on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month (less holidays).  We’ve covered such topics as ePub Conversion of documents for iPad, AAC  Basics, UDL, Read:OutLoud, iBooks, VoiceOver and more!  We are currently in the middle of a multi-episode series on Video Modeling, Self-Modeling and Self-Operated Prompting.  HOWEVER,  The next episode on Dec. 18th will feature two very special guests as Jeff and I cheer from the sidelines!    On Dec. 18th, two VERY SPECIAL guests will take over!  Sandi, PATINS SE Coordinator and Kelli, PATINS SE Assistant: 

‘Tis the season for toys!  This episode will show viewers how to use assistive technology to meet the needs of their student or child by modifying every day toys. We will use low cost, no-tech to low-tech items on books and toys to allow children to find the JOYful independence that they constantly seek and deserve!  Today will be a temporary break from our mini-series on modeling, VSM, etc.

• Watch LIVE at 11:45 EST on Dec. 18th here: www.patinsproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=41
• Check out Archived Episodes of the past here as well:  www.patinsproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=41
• Send us suggestions for future Episodes Here:  www.patinsproject.com/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=3&Itemid=42   Challenge US!  Send us your most difficult questions.  Jeff can handle them!  ;)

ICAM Blog: Have you checked out Martha Hammond’s (ICAM Lib. Services Consultant) blog?  The ICAM Dispatch typically posts on Thursday afternoons, is well written and contains great information about all things ICAM, AIM, NIMAS, etc.  Check it out and subscribe to it for free, just like you do to this one.

• ICAM Dispatch: http://icam.edublogs.org 

UDL Tool: This isn’t a new tool.  In fact, many of you should be familiar with the paper version of it.  This is pretty neat, except that it is designed in FLASH, which makes it non-accessible!

• http://udlwheel.mdonlinegrants.org

Sp.Ed. Teachers & Evaluations:  Here’s a quick article on CEC’s  view of special education teacher evaluations:

• http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/10/states_must_tread_cautiously_o.html

Using Twitter: …to analyze presidential debates in your classroom:

• www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&EntryId=5016 

Top 200 Special Ed. Apps: www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/10/top-200-special-education-apps.html

 See you next Friday!   

Submit To Present At The PATINS State Conference 2012!

You are PROBABLY doing something amazing in your classroom or school OR you know someone who is.

• Could another educator somewhere in Indiana benefit from hearing more about what you’re doing?
•  Are you implementing Accessible Materials, creating Accessible Materials, promoting Accessible Materials, utilizing Assistive Technology to allow access to the curriculum or
• having success in your classrooms and school buildings in other innovative ways that improve access?

If so, you should consider sharing with other educators at the PATINS State Conference, Nov. 8-9, 2012 in Indianapolis!  The Call For Proposals is now open!

• State Conference Info Flyer: State Conf 2012 Flyer 1 CFP
• Submit Your Presentation  Proposal: http://svy.mk/StateConf2012
• Contact me for help: dmcnulty@ciesc.k12.in.us

FreeSpeech for iPad:  (Note, you must have iOS 5.1) A new free AAC tool for the iPad that allows you to add your own photos, group them, and collaborate with other FreeSpeech users to share content!  Personally, I’m pretty excited to try it out!  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freespeech/id517017346?ls=1&mt=8

Grant Opportunity:  “The Dream School Challenge, co-sponsored by The Source for Learning (SFL), provides an opportunity for one school and its district to win up to $300,000 in educational technology resources.”

• www.sacbee.com/2012/05/31/4529247/national-contest-offers-schools.html

 Recycle Your Old Computers:

• PATINS Refurbished Computer Program:  DEFINITELY, our preferred method for you to recycle your old computers.  The PATINS Refurbished computer program needs your used computers to refurb and put back into Indiana schools.  This has been a highly beneficial program to many Indiana students who might not have a computer to use otherwise.  If you have an old computer or are thinking of upgrading, PLEASE consider donating your old equipment to us.  Details on minimum requirements for donation and more info can be found here: www.patinsproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34&Itemid=33

• Apple Education Recycling:   IF your old equipment doesn’t meet the requirements to donate to PATINS, Apple has recently announce an opportunity to donate it to them for recycling, free of charge.  You must register by August 31, 2012.  More details on the program here:  www.apple.com/education/recycling/?cid=CDM-US-EDU-P0012550-EDU&cp=em-P0012550-189723&sr=em

Big PATINS Project
- Changes, Changes, Changes -

Several things are changing within the PATINS Project that I want you to be aware of in case you’re having any trouble contacting one of us during the next few weeks.

1. The SE PATINS Site is moving from Madison to Columbus, IN and as you may know, Tina Jones (current Site Coordinator) is retiring after 17 dedicated years of service to PATINS at the end of this month.  Tina will certainly be missed by many people!  There will be a new SE Coordinator and SE Assistant starting in July/Aug.  The email you are probably currently using to reach the SE Site (sepatins@ciesc.k12.in.us) will remain the same, but will go to the new SE Coordinator instead of Tina Jones, beginning July 1, 2012.  Sandi Mahl will be the new SE Site Coordinator and we hope you’ll help us welcome Sandi to the PATINS Team!  More on Sandi to come!  The new SE Physical & Mailing Address: 1200 Central Avenue, Columbus, IN 47201
2. The NE PATINS Site is also moving, but just a couple miles down the road to the Wabash City Schools Admin Building.  I will also be handing over the NE Site Coordinator position to the NEW NE Site Coordinator, Julie Kuhn!  We’re also excited to welcome Julie to the team and more details on her will also be coming soon!  Just like the SE, the NE Coordinator email will still be (nepatins@ciesc.k12.in.us), but after July 1st, it will no longer come to me, but will go only to Julie!  Brandon Culver will also be transitioning out of the NE Assistant position and Emily Booth will transition in.  The new NE Physical & Mailing Address: 1101 Colerain St. Wabash, IN 46992.  After today, please don’t send anything to the old Wabash address as it will likely not reach PATINS!
3. As you likely know by now, Vicki Hershman will also be retiring as the PATINS State Director after 17 years of dedicated service to PATINS and to Indiana’s K-12 schools.  Vicki will also be missed considerably by many and while there really is no replacing her (or Tina in the SE), I will assume the role of PATINS Dir., beginning July 1st.   My new email is: dmcnulty@ciesc.k12.in.us and you may begin using it now.  After July 1 though, I will no longer receive email at nepatins@ciesc.k12.in.us and you must use dmcnulty@ciesc.k12.in.us to reach me.   The Central PATINS location and phone numbers will not change.
4. Finally, the PATINS UDL Blog is going to be merged with this PATINS Rapid Fire Blog.  Tina has done a great job of keeping you informed with UDL related information on the UDL Blog and going forward, I plan to combine UDL, AT, AIM, Creative Ideas to Engage, Announcements, Important Information, all in this one convenient location.   So, if you were subscribed to the UDL Blog, you’ll want to make sure you’re now subscribed to this one.  Just enter your email address in the upper right-hand area of this page and click subscribe.  That way you’ll receive just the headlines each Friday in your inbox and can then decide if you want to click them for more information.

We ask that you bear with us during this time of transition.  I do not anticipate any problems or delays in PATINS services to you and your colleagues, but we will have several new staff in new positions and are losing threevery valuable current PATINS Staff.  Vicki, Tina, and Brandon will all be missed greatly.  I am excited and very optimistic about the new staff joining us!   More details on new staff members will be coming and I hope that everyone out there will help to welcome them.  I will still blog over the summer months as much as possible and my plan is to continue blogging next year in my new role as well.

Click The Image Above and submit your info for entry into a special drawing
for some PATINS Goodies and a Full-Day PATINS  AIM & AT Training on topic of your choice, at your school!

It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that I’ve been posting to this blog for nearly 4.5 years!  For anyone who might be fairly new to the blog, it started as a replacement for sending out emailed newsletters to my contacts in the NE part of the state.  At the time, it just made a lot more sense to post that information in a blog format rather than emailed.  One of the greatest advantages is that all past  information in the blog is archived and searchable by month/year, by keyword, or by category!  So, I thought it’d be fun and interesting for this 200th Blog Posting to look back at this day in each of the previous years and see what the buzz was all about at that time!   Here we go!

September  2007, when this blog first started: 

• First REAL Post; 2 Vista Gadgets for Students

• 9/21/2007; Free Switch Games & Podcasting Tips

• 9/29/07: More Podcast Tips and Free Study Cards & Supporting Resources

 February  2008:

• ATIA ’08, Open Source ReadingTeacher, ForgeFX, PATINS TechExpo and Announcing EduChallenges

• 2/8/2008: Citation Machine, Math Resources Online, iPod Protection and The Very First EduChallenge!

• 2/15/2008: iDump Alternative to iTunes, GoogleReader, Big Search’n and Friendly Images and Sounds

• 2/22/08: Today’s Podcasting Workshop, Microsoft Acess Guide, Reading Website, Another iTunes Alternative and the EduChallenge

February  2009:

• 1/31/2009: ATIA 2009, Free Picasa for Mac, Text To Speech Recommendations, Reading For The Dogs

• 2/6/2009: Your Read:OutLoud Software, More from TRLD and ATIA 2009, Mac Screen Capture

• 2/13/2009: Alternative Seating, SL Art Locations, Video Format Conversion, A Great Accessible Book List, More TRLD Stuff

• 2/20/2009: More TRLD, Free Wii, Second Life Learning Experiences

• 2/27/2009: Suggest a Workshop, Promethean Offer, Touch Screen Videos, Immersive Worlds Examples, UDL Collaboration and Indiana Moms!

February , 2010:

• 2/5/2010: Google Wave For Students, Collaborative Drawing and Imagery, Highlight Web Pages, Typing Speed Comparison, David Davis on our Island!

• 2/12/2010: Are You Ready To Teach Online? David Davis in SL, ISTE Connects, Wired Kids, Podcasting Accessibility, Website Evaluation, Looking Back At The Tools, Family Center on Tech and Disability & Two Little Girls Grab My iPhone for Valentines Day!!!

• David Davis in Second Life (FREE) in 2 Weeks! Are You Ready? Some Ideas!

• 2/19/2010: 50 Free Graphing Apps on The Web! FREE IEP App for iPhone, 45 Education-Related Second Life Locations, iPad Still Lacks Flash, L.D. Statistics, Brains & Learning,

• 2/26/2010: News About Your Stimulus Dollars, Virtual Worlds Best Practices In Education Conference! Punishment Systems and UDL Engagement, Cool Twitter Apps! A Good Classroom Blog Example, and Two FREE Events Coming SOON!

February , 2011:

• 2/4/2011: PATINS AT Overview Online Module, Learning in 3D Online, LEGO Universe, SketchUp and ASD, Apps for Special Needs, PATINS Tech Expo Registration

• 2/11/2011: Readability, SHIFT Planning, iPad Evaluation in Education, Plug Into PATINS, Shorten URLs Easily

• URGENT: Mid-Week Post Requesting Your Help Now! IDEA Part B Funding at Immediate Risk

• 2/18/2011: Free UDL Forum, Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference, Second Life Firewall, Digital Nation Video, Safe Online, More!

• 2/25/2011: No Snowdays Online, Your Docs to ePubs, Feedbooks, Education Killing Creativity, Allow Kids To Fail? Proloquo Keyguards, How/Where Do You Work?

February 3, 2012!  For today, as a little bonus, you’re going to get a 2nd, separate, blog posting with lots of great tips including, “2/3/2012: 6 Free Ways to get Books on Your iPad, Mac OS LION Experiences & iBooks Author, Congrats Kristin from Wabash, Digital Learning Day, AIM For Young Children Reminder! “  Watch for it to post later today!  Also, remember that I post during all months of the year, not just February!  So feel free to browse the monthly and yearly archives on the right side of this blog anytime you wish!  There just might be some good OLD stuff back there!

Thanks for being a part of the blog over the last several years.  Many of you have left comments (though I wish more would) and many have emailed me, met me in person at conferences, etc., and many great discussions around Assistive Technology and Accessible Instructional Materials have resulted!

Even though it’s often a lot of work, it’s been a real pleasure to do the blog each week and it’s something I almost always look forward to!  I certainly hope to continue this blog for many years to come!  Remember you can always leave comments, questions, suggestions, requests, here on the blog or just click the image below to give us feedback.  We’re here to serve you!

REGISTRATION OPEN!  Registration is now open for the PATINS Tech Expo 2012 on April 19!

• Download Informational Flyer Here
• REGISTER HERE!

A GoTalk on your iPad: New App I came across recently from Attainment that sort of turns your iPad into a GoTalk.  Interesting to me because the GoTalk is one of my most favorite low-tech/static display AAC devices and the iPad is absolutely one of my favorite high-tech devices!   http://attainmentcompany.com/featured/GoTalkNow/ It, however, is not free.  $79.99.  I do plan to eventually have it on my iPads for loan though, so feel free to request away!  PATINS Lending Libraries.

Alexicom App:  Speaking of AAC Apps on the iPad, this is another one I’ve recently started loaning out on my iPads and iTouches.  It seems like it might be a good fit for the SLP’s who work with students on the autism spectrum (or other disabilities of course) who want to utilize real images/photos instead of symbols.  It’s a FREE APP.  Here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alexicom-aac/id395122088?mt=8

Apps Running In The Background: The PATINS Central Site Coordinator, Jeff Bond, came across a very interesting article about those apps that you leave running in the background.  Typically, I always tell people to go in and close them down every so often, but this article presents some information that may contradict that advice in some instances.  Have a read:

• www.macworld.com/article/164616/2012/01/how_ios_multitasking_really_works.html

Yesterday’s Webinar:  I have to apologize to those who were registered for the PATINS webinar scheduled for 1/12/12 at 3:15pm EST,  “Audio, Audio, Audio.” 

Unfortunately, at about 2:45pm we lost all internet service in my office building.  I tried everything I could to fix the situation until 3pm and then decided I would try to drive to the local McDonald’s and utilize their WiFi, but quickly found that it was also down!   I sincerely apologize for that inconvenience and am rescheduling yesterday’s webinar for 3 different upcoming dates.  I hope that everyone who was hoping to attend yesterday will be able to find at least one of these 3 new dates that will work with your schedule and even if you weren’t planning on attending yesterday, perhaps one of these 3 new dates will interest you!   You are welcome to share these 3 new dates for this webinar with any of your colleagues you think may be interested as well.  The first one is coming up quickly on this coming Monday afternoon!

1. Monday Jan. 16, 3:15pm.  Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioJanuary162012REGISTRATION 
2. Monday Jan. 30, 3:15pm. Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioJan302012REGISTRATION 
3. Friday Feb. 3, 3:15pm. Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AudioFeb32012REGISTRATION
   

NOW AVAILABLE; The FREE ePub Converter Upgrade:   DRMS can now go to the ICAM Website for a FREE upgraded version 2.0 of their aDAISY to ePub Converter!   This new upgrade handles many more file types and should be much more efficient at converting some of those stubborn NIMAS files we’ve had trouble with in the past.  So far, we are VERY impressed with it!

• Free ePub Converter 2.0 Upgrade:  www.icam.k12.in.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=106

People Traveling w/Disabilities:  The Transportation Security Administration has  launched TSA Cares, a new helpline number designed to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions.

•  Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares will serve as an additional, dedicated resource specifically for passengers with disabilities, medical conditions or other circumstances or their loved ones who want to prepare for the screening process prior to flying.

•  The hours of operation for the TSA Cares helpline are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or can e-mail TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.

•  If you would like to make advance arrangements for screenings at airports,  travelers can contact TSA using Talk To TSA <https://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/talktotsa/> , a web-based tool that allows passengers to reach out to an airport Customer Service Manager directly, and the TSA Contact Center, 1-866-289-9673 and TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov, where travelers can ask questions, provide suggestions and file complaints

PATINS TTA (Targeted Technical Assistance) Grant Selections Announced!  The PATINS Project thanks all districts who applied for your interest in the 2011-2012 Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Targeted Technical Assistance Grant.  Congratulations to the districts who have been chosen to participate in this year’s grant process.

A few applications were not considered because they were only partially completed.  However; this is an on-going grant opportunity and we will be considering the provision of more grants to interested school districts throughout this school year.  So, if you wish to reapply for this grant, please watch for the next opportunity which will be posted to the IDOE Learning Connection, here on this blog and on the PATINS Website.

A Listing of Some Funding/Grant Sources :  www.especialneeds.com/funding-resources-special-needs-adaptive-equipment.html

Hacking Autism in California: (Thanks Chris)    http://www.hackingautism.org/#/apps

iOS 5:  Just in case you didn’t know yet, iOS 5 is now available to update your iPads, iPhones and iTouches and has some really nice accessibility features added, among other nice upgrades.  However, it can take a very long time to update depending on what you have on the device that needs to be backed up/restored.  My iPhone took 4.5 hours last night.  My iPad is taking about a hour and a half this morning.

Some nice features include messaging between devices (not text messaging) which could be a very powerful tool in classrooms.  I also like the new wireless syncing and cloud based storage which could be big news for students accessing things like textbooks on the go.  Lots of other nice upgrades & features too: www.apple.com/ios 

• Accessibility Features of iOS5 (of particular interest to me is the increased attention paid to physical access and custom gestures):  www.apple.com/accessibility

Social Networking for Education:I had very interesting and on-going conversations this week with a couple different educators in NE Indiana about the many benefits and potential dangers of utilizing the many very powerful social networking tools for education and then came across this listing.  Top 20 Social Networks FOR EDUCATION:  www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&EntryId=2980 

FETC Virtual Conference: October 27, 10:30am – 6pm

• Register: http://vts.inxpo.com/scripts/InXpo.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=6890&AffiliateKey=13793&AffiliateData=NXF2
• Attendee Guide: https://presentations.inxpo.com/Shows/1105/FETC/10-27-11/Guides/ComingSoon.html

TextHelp Announces WEB APPS:  See them in action in this video:  Web Apps in action

iPad Case Studies:  in Victoria Australia:    http://www.ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au/ipad-education-case-studies/10-warringa-park-school

Lisa Nielson’s 5 Favorite MATH RESOURCES for learners who hate math:    http://www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&EntryId=3055

Weekly TIPS!  Are you remembering to check out the Weekly Tips & Tricks each PATINS Site Coordinator is posting to his/her Regional Page on the PATINS Website?  There are some good ones!  Be sure to check back each week!  www.patinsproject.com

PATINS Trainings: …also, remember to check the PATINS Training Calendar as new trainings are added all the time and they are all FREE!  http://bit.ly/PATINSCalendar

Quick Links:

• www.myskillbott.com — 21st Century / Soft [Employability] Skills Training; and
• www.apangea.com — 3 Levels of Intervention (latter 2 comes with LIVE, Certified Math Teachers ONLINE).
• www.texthelp.com — a TRUE RTI Tools…a “Swiss Army Knife” of features, for example, if you have a Blind Student then you can take all their work and create a File for their MP3 Player, etc., etc., etc.
• www.eyecuereadingreadiness.com — teaches ‘fluency’ skills by using ‘colors, shapes, coins, picture, etc.

Upcoming Webinars:  I’m pleased to announce a collaboration with both Ohio’s OCALI Project and Michigan’s MITS Project.  Many of OH’s and MI’s webinars/online trainings will be shared/open to Indiana educators, though many will have limited spaces available.  Likewise, appropriate Indiana online trainings will be shared with OH and MI educators, with priority certainly given to IN educators.  The first one from OH is coming up soon!

-Sept 8, 2011.  3-4pm EST.  “Best AT Tools 2011”   Register Here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/731819122

-See The Full Listing Here: http://www.patinsproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=40

• SMARTBoards for SLPs:  I had a question last week from an SLP who specifically wanted to know about things she could do on her SMARTBoard.
  http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html?q=SLP
• Proloquo2Go 1.6:  To Be Released Soon! … with improvements for hearing impairments, autism, or fine motor difficulties: http://www.proloquo2go.com/ 
• Youth Transition Toolkit: http://www.tknlyouth.org/index.html
• Math Tech for Blind/LowVision Learners: http://www.tsbvi.edu/technology-math
• 7 Communication APPS: http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2011/02/07/7-assistive-communication-apps-in-the-ipad-app-store/
• 11 Social Skills APPS: http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2011/02/23/11-social-skills-life-skills-apps-in-ipad-app-store/

Digital Video and The Web… changing people’s lives:

Remember to Check Out the NEW PATINS WEBSITE! 
WWW.PATINSPROJECT.COM

 “The effectiveness of a group is not determined by any individual’s intelligence in the group,
but by how the group communicates… by how often the individuals communicate with one another.”  -David Brooks

Welcome Back To School …for many of you!

PATINS Targeted Technical Assistance Grants:  There seems to be some confusion out there about 2 related but unconnected Grants that were recently announced.  There was a grant that was due to IDOE on 8/10 this week.  There is a separate and different grant through the PATINS Project that is due October 3, 2011 called the Targeted Technical Assistance Grant for Indiana public K-12 districts.  Read about it and apply here!     http://nepatins.edublogs.org/2011/08/05/technical-assistance-grants-due-october-3/      Contact us with questions.

Great Educational Comic Strips/Cartoon Creation!  Chris Bohn, is doing some really cool things with this tool and some of her students on the autism spectrum.  Let me know if you’re interested in learning more and I’ll gladly put you in touch with Chris.  www.bitstripsforschools.com   (Thanks Chris!)

AAC Device Trainings: There are some recurring training opportunities I recently learned about that are worth passing on for families and therapy teams!  These are non-device-specific trainings for 3 hours to cover basics of Unity, programming, and implementation.  No CEUs will be offered, but the trainings are free.  The trainings will take place at Riley Hospital on the first Thursday of the month from 4:00-7:00 p.m. beginning Thursday, October 6.  So far, we have only scheduled the trainings through December, but plan to add January thru May sometime in the fall.  We have a limit of 15 participants per training and they will need to register at www.prentrom.com/training

NEW Online DRM Training:  If you are a newly appointed DRM, a current DRM needing a refresher or you know a DRM in need of help, there is now an online training created by the ICAM!  Contact your PATINS Regional Coordinator if you’re in need of utilizing this Video Training and we’ll point you in the right direction:   www.patinsproject.com

VARIOUS AVAILABLE GRANTS:

• Investing in Innovation: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html
• Charles Stewart Mott Foundation: http://www.mott.org/grantseeker.aspx 
• Mom Congress School Transformation Grant: http://www.parenting.com/mom-congress/contest
• DCAT Making a Difference Award: http://www.nsta.org/pdfs/awards/DCAT.pdf

A Little Inspiration & Perhaps... food for thought as we begin this new school year.  A moving TED talk from Caroline Casey

 “The effectiveness of a group is not determined by the individual’s IQ in the group, but by how the group communicates… by how often individuals communicate with one another.”   -David Brooks

Wrapping Up: For some of you, school will be finishing very soon.  Several others have a few more days or even weeks of snow/fog/flood days to make up.  As you begin to look toward summer, keep in mind a few things for those lazy days when you feel like expanding your knowledge a little bit and preparing for next school year:

1. PATINS Online AT Overview Course Module (at your own pace): www.patinsproject.com/AT%20Overview%20Course/AT%20Overview%20Files/index.htm
2. Many PATINS Trainings are already being scheduled for next year, beginning in August.  Keep an eye on the PATINS Website as these are made public: www.patinsproject.com
3. Speaking of the PATINS Website; watch for a brand new, more efficient and user-friendly look coming very soon! Same address:  www.patinsproject.com
4. Watch This Blog: I’ll continue to post short updates each Friday over the summer months!  There are some exciting announcements coming that you won’t want to miss!
5. Introduce a Friend or Colleague to PATINS (5 Minute Video): www.teachindy.com/watch_video.php?v=4cfd9bd6e1daf7f

FEATURED TEACHER Video Interview: Mrs. Nelson, a Logansport teacher, has an amazing story about a struggling reader who reaches her as a sophomore essentially unable to read.

MORE AAC Apps for the iPad/iTouch/iPhone:

Verbally: …”the first FREE iPad app to provide a complete assistive speech solution for creative communication“   http://verballyapp.com/

TouchChat: Not free, but looks very full-featured and can include word prediction.  We will have this app on our lending library devices soon:  http://www.silver-kite.com/touchChat/

Doceri: Not free, but full featured app turns your iPad into a wireless slate basically.  Allows you to teach, give presentations, etc., and still walk around your space.  Pretty cool! http://doceri.com/

Upcoming Autism Spectrum Disorder Training Info:

• http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/defiles/IRCA/IRCATEAMTraining2011.pdf for Autism Team Training
• http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/defiles/IRCA/IRCAApplication11.pdf for Professional Development in ASD

Vendor Offered Discounts: Remember to check often, the PATINS Vendor Offered Discounts page before making purchases.  These are continually updated. www.patinsproject.com/buys.html

NEW FREE Equipment! …to borrow! The  PATINS Lending Libraries have some brand new equipment you might want to know about:

Dynavox Xpress AAC Device

Next Generation Perkins Braille

Icon Mobile Manager

Go Talk Express 32 AAC Device

In addition to the above, there are MANY other new devices available to borrow from the PATINS Lending Libraries.  Search our Online Catalog here: www.patinsproject.com/lending.html

CASE 2010: Second Life for Professional Development is what I presented on this evening at the National CASE Conference in S.Carolina.  This was an evening session AFTER a 3 hour break in the day AND we are literally 100 steps from the beach, yet my room was full.  This is not what I expected and combined with talking to many of my attendees indicates to me that Directors of Special Education from across the country are:

1. Taking online professional development very seriously and are preparing themselves.
2. Have an intense interest in providing and attending online training that goes beyond a static, one-way, two-dimensional webinar.

Are YOU Ready to Learn  (and teach) Online??? Speaking of which, there are SEVERAL NIMAS & ROL FREE Trainings ALL DAY on Monday:  www.patinsproject.com/training.html

A More Couple Apps To Check Out

TapSpeak Choice: http://conleysolutions.com/wordpress/?page_id=282&ref=nf

Listening App: (Thanks Vicki!) http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundamp-r/id318126109?mt=8

NEW Resources from the National AIM Center (Accessible Instructional Materials):

• An Examination of the NIMAS and NIMAC Provisions in IDEA 2004: A Brief for Families and Educators
  http://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/nimas_nimac_families_educators
• The Right of Students to Receive AIM
  http://aim.cast.org/learn/aim4families/aim_families_educators
• NIMAS and NIMAC: A Discussion of Legal Issues
  http://aim.cast.org/learn/policy/federal/legalissues1

Learning Connections! Don’t forget to join the Learning Connections Communities: “Accessible Instructional Materials,” “ICAM,” and “AT & UDL.”
https://learningconnection.doe.in.gov

Tell PATINS What You Need: If you haven’t done so already, please consider taking 2-3 minutes to fill out this survey for PATINS.  We’re trying to prepare trainings that will benefit you most during this school year.  Thanks!

Survey Here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/2010NeedsAssessment1

iTunes: Create an iTunes account WITHOUT a credit card (Thanks Jeff). iTunes tends to be the easiest, by far, way of working with content and managing your iPads, iPods, iTouches, iPhones, but a lot of people aren’t comfortable putting a personal credit card into iTunes when they create their account.  Further, the way I know some school districts are handling the purchasing of APPS is via iTunes Gift cards, which I think is a great idea!  Using this method that Jeff found, you don’t need to enter a credit card at all and yet you can still utilize iTunes Gift Cards.  I’m doing it myself for PATINS apps that I send out on my loaned iPads and iTouches and it works great!  YouTube Demonstration Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHCTjvzPfKk

Assistive Tech, Accessibility and IEP’s: Do you know what the law says and what best practices are about Assistive Tech and Accessibility being addressed in your Case Conferences and IEPs?  I’ve had a few questions in the past couple weeks and I need to make it perfectly clear that I’m no lawyer, that you should contact your district’s legal team and your special education director for specific advice.   Additionally, the info here is in no way comprehensive or specific to YOUR district’s requirements.  I do, however, have a limited few resources that I thought might be helpful to share:

• Educational vs. Medical necessity:
• AT Considerations Guide: AT consideration guide coversheet9-99b
• Access Addressed in the IEP: Access addressed in the IEP2

Additionally:

Most of you probably know this, but  I feel like it’s my job to say it   leaving the AT section of an IEP blank isn’t just bad practice, it’s likely against the law!  AT has to be considered in a case conference, even if no AT is chosen for implementation with that student.

(l) Unless the student’s CCC determines otherwise, the public agency is not responsible to provide basic equipment that may be required at home as well as in the educational setting, such as the following:

(1) Wheelchairs.

(2) Braces.

(3) Glasses.

(4) Hearing aids.

• Here are the definitions in Indiana’s Article 7 for AT Devices and Services:

511 IAC 7-32-7 “Assistive technology device” defined Sec. 7. “Assistive technology device” means any:

(1) item;

(2) piece of equipment; or

(3) product system;

whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a student with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such device.

511 IAC 7-32-8 “Assistive technology service” defined Sec. 8. “Assistive technology service” means any service that directly assists a student with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) The evaluation of the needs of a student with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the student in the student’s customary environment.

(2) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices for students with disabilities.

(3) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices.

(4) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs.

(5) Training or technical assistance for the following:

(A) A student with a disability or, if appropriate, the student’s family.

(B) Professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of students with disabilities.

• And Further! Here’s SOME of what Indiana’s Article 7 says about UDL and AT:

511 IAC 7-32-102 “Universal design” defined Sec. 102. “Universal design” means a concept or philosophy for designing and delivering products and services that are usable by people with the widest possible range of functional capabilities, which include products and services that are:

(1) directly accessible, without requiring assistive technologies; and

(2) interoperable with assistive technologies.

• AND… what Article 7 says about the Case Conference:

(b) When developing a student’s IEP, a CCC must consider the following general factors:

(1) The strengths of the student.

(2) The concerns of the parent for enhancing the education of the student.

(3) The results and instructional implications of the initial or most recent educational evaluation and other assessments of the student.

(4) The:

(A) academic;

(B) developmental;

(C) communication; and

(D) functional;

needs of the student.

(c) The CCC must also consider the following special factors when applicable:

(1) Positive behavioral interventions and supports, and other strategies, to address any of the student’s behaviors that impede the student’s learning or the learning of others.

(2) Any supports, under 511 IAC 7-35-2, necessary to provide public agency personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the student’s IEP.

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(3) The language needs of a student with limited English proficiency as those needs relate to the student’s IEP.

(4) In the case of a student who is deaf or hard of hearing or a student who is deaf-blind, the student’s:

(A) language and communication needs;

(B) opportunities for direct communications with peers and professional personnel in the student’s language and communication mode;

(C) academic level; and

(D) full range of needs;

including opportunities for direct instruction in the student’s language and communication mode.

(5) Instruction in braille and the use of braille for a student who is blind or has low vision or a student who is deaf-blind, unless the CCC determines, after a functional literacy assessment (sometimes referred to as a learning media assessment) of the student’s reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and writing media (including an evaluation of the student’s future needs for instruction in braille or the use of braille), that instruction in braille or the use of braille is not appropriate for the student.

(6) The student’s need for assistive technology devices and services.

(7) The IFSP for students who are transitioning from early intervention programs under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.

REMEMBER PATINS has FIVE Lending Libraries of Hardware and Software that you’re welcome to borrow from us to trial with your students for 6 Weeks at a time, FREE OF CHARGE! Search our online Lending Library Catalog here:  www.patinsproject.com/lending.html.   If you want something that we don’t have (unlikely) let us know!  There’s always a chance we can get it for you to trial BEFORE your district spends valuable funds on it.  Contact us if you have questions.  We can help with ideas for you to try with a students as well!