Technology in the Deafblind Project Jackie Brennan Nov. 2, 2007

PA Deafblind Project  Federally and State funded  Services free to families and service providers  Serves children and youth ages birth-21  Currently 424 students on PA census  90% of students have additional disabilities

PA Deafblind Project Goals  Increase family participation as informed decision makers  Establish a network of parents and family resources  Enhance the local capacity to develop and implement effective educational programs for students who are deafblind  Conduct early, accurate, and ongoing identification of children and youth who are deafblind or at risk for deafblindness  Coordinate with state and national resources for effective program services.

Project Activities  Weekend Family Learning Conference  PA Parent Listserv  Quarterly newsletter  Project SPARKLE  Leadership Network  Technical Assistance to families and educational teams

Using Assistive technology with students who are deafblind or who have multiple disabilities  Blind and Visually Impaired  Deaf and Hard of Hearing  Communication  Access technology

Why use Assistive Technology  Provide access to toys, appliances, equipment, typical technology  Receptive Communication  Expressive Communication

What Assistive Technology do you use?

Blind and Visually Impaired  Computer with speech output or screen magnification  CCTV  Mountbatten  Electronic Brailler  Scanner  Refreshable Braille Display

Deaf and Hard of Hearing  FM System  Sound Field  Hearing Aids  TTY/TDD  Amplification Devices  Environmental Alerts  Blackberry and other text messaging Devices

Communication Devices  Big Mack  Rocker Switch  Cheap Talk  Dynavox  Go Talk  Hip Talk  Software such as Board Maker

Access Technology  Simple switches to access toys and equipment  Environmental controls  Adapted Keyboards  IntelliKeys

AbleNet Bookworm Picture by Deirdre Walsh and Elizabeth Torre, Perkins School for the Blind

PaTTAN Short Term Loan Program  A library of assistive technology and resource materials available to schools for trial and evaluation

PaTTAN STL  Assistive Technology Kits –Augmentative Comm. –Computer access –Written Comm. –Environmental Controls –Technology for the Sensory Impaired  Resource Materials –Deafness/Hearing Loss –Educational Interpreter –Deafblindness –Reading –Progress Monitoring –Secondary Transition –Behavior –Other Disability Areas

Who can Borrow Kits ?  PA Educators employed or contracted by school districts and specialized schools  Therapists employed or contracted by school districts and specialized schools

How To Borrow a Kit  an.aspx an.aspx  PaTTAN/Resources/Short Term Loan or  PaTTAN/Supporting Students/Short Term Loan

Searching for a Kit  Search by Category  Search by Title

Select by category

Receiving Equipment on Loan  Items shipped to school by UPS  Assistive technology on loan for 6 weeks  Resources on loan for 4 weeks  Return mailing label included for UPS pick up  Loan program free of charge

Why use the Short Term Loan Program  Equipment evaluation  Trying equipment before purchasing  Resources for professional development  Resources for staff training

Assistive Technology gives are students access to people,things, and activities. Assistive technology is the key to open the doors for learning and fun.