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
- Flyer Here: Parent iPad Night Flyer 2 26 13
- Register Here: http://bit.ly/familyipad2
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!
Sp.Ed. Teachers & Evaluations: Here’s a quick article on CEC’s view of special education teacher evaluations:
Using Twitter: …to analyze presidential debates in your classroom:

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

See you next Friday!
Tags: App, blind, blog, Bond, Braille, Daniel McNulty, Dispatch, Drew, evaluation, INSource, iPad, Jeff Bond, Kelli Suding, McNulty, parent, PATINS, Sandi Mahl, TV, Twitter, UDL






Typing/Keyboarding Resources & Programs: I have seen a lot of requests lately for online keyboarding tools. So, here’s just a small list. I’m sure that there are more and please feel free to comment here on the blog OR email me with your own suggestions to add to this list. What’s sort of interesting about this particularly listing however, is that I had a 10 year old student try them all out and provide a couple sentences worth of her initial opinions of them. (Student comments in parentheses below. I’ve corrected some of her spelling, but made no other changes to her comments/notes) Keep in mind that these are not my perceptions necessarily, but the initial feelings of a 4th grader who spent only about an hour and a half exploring these sites. She had prior knowledge of computer use, but not necessarily any real typing skills.















