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Special Populations
Assistive Technology
Overview
The mission of the Louisiana Assistive Technology Initiative (LATI) is to provide leadership and support to local education agencies and families in the development and implementation of assistive technology services that will have meaningful application for the educational, social, recreational, vocational, and developmental experiences of students with disabilities.
Keep up with Louisiana's activities and news about accessibility and AT.
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Accessibility Awareness Week
Louisiana Accessibility Awareness Week is September 8-11. Read Governor Bobby Jindal's proclamation below at your school or district meetings. The Louisiana Department of Education and Assistive Technology Regional Centers provide a focus on accessibility through professional development activities and an awareness campaign.
We want to include on our calendar for September 8-11th the activities that Louisiana districts and schools will be doing for Accessibility Awareness Week . Please send your information to donna.broussard@la.gov.
Regional Calendar of Events
Statewide Webinar: AIM District Process
September 8, 2009
http://www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/showcourse.asp?1963
Statewide: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Online Course
http://www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/showcourse.asp?278
Region 1 AT Center: Creating Talking Books using PowerPoint and PowerTalk
September 8, 2009
http://r1atcenter.eboard.com
Region 1 AT Center: Open House
September 9, 2009 9:00 – 3:00
http://r1atcenter.eboard.com
Region 1 AT Center: AT Framework
http://r1atcenter.eboard.com
Region 2 AT Center: Workshop: "AT Tools for the UDL Classroom”
AT Awareness for East Feliciana, West Feliciana and St. Helena
September 10, 2009
Location: Clinton Middle
http://www.region2at.org/
Region 2 AT Center Training: Open Lab
September 11, 2009 8:30 - 12:00
http://www.region2at.org/
Region 3 AT Center: Open House
September 8, 2009 2:00 – 6:00
You are cordially invited to Region 3 Assistive Technology Center’s OPEN HOUSE. It’s a wonderful way to introduce you to our facility and equipment as you play at the AT Playground.
www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/showcourse.asp?1798
Region 3 AT Center Training: LA AIMs Forward
September 9, 2009 8:30 – 12:00
Do you know how to provide accessible instructional materials (AIM) to your students? Do you know about NIMAS and how to access alternate file formats, such as electronic text? This session will provide an overview of the AIMs project for Louisiana and how it affects teachers and school personnel who work with students with disabilities.
www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/showcourse.asp?1801
Region 3 AT Center Training: Low Tech Tools for Inclusive Education
September 10, 2009 8:30 – 3:00
This training will provide the participants with a continuum of AT tools from low to mid tech that will allow students to function more independently in the classroom. Tools for writing, note taking, reading, math, organizing and lighting will be demonstrated and discussed.
www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/showcourse.asp?1805
Region 3 AT Center Training: Integrating the Smartboard into the Classroom
September 11, 2009 8:30 – 12:00
This training will provide an overview of the Smartboard and its software. Examples will be provided on how it can be integrated in the K-12 setting.
www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/showcourse.asp?1806
Region 4 AT Center Training: Open House
September 9, 2009
September 10, 2009
http://www.atanswers.com
Register through Coursewhere at https://www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/main.asp
Region 5 AT Center Training: Workshop: Introduction to Promethean Activstudio and Accessibility
September 8, 2009 9:00am - 11:00am
Calcasieu Parish Technology Center, Lake Charles, LA
Registrationhttps://www.cpsb.org/techclasses/
Region 5 AT Center Training: Workshop: Kurzweil
September 10, 2009 9:00am - 11:00am
Calcasieu Parish Technology Center, Lake Charles, LA
Registration: https://www.cpsb.org/techclasses/
Region 6 AT Center Training: Open House
September 9, 2009
September 10, 2009
http://www.atanswers.com
Register through Coursewhere at https://www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/main.asp
Region 7 AT Center Training: Taking AT Awareness on the Road to Region 7 Districts
September 8-11, 2009
Call for schedule: 318.549.6163
www.Region7ATC.com
Region 8 AT Center Training: AT and UDL
September 8th
Location: Concordia Parish
http://www.r8at.com/
Region 8 AT Center Training: Kurzweil
Spetember 9th
Location: Jackson Parish
http://www.r8at.com/
Region 8 AT Center Training:AT Overview
September 10th
Location: ULM, OT Department
http://www.r8at.com/
Activity Ideas
- Announce Accessibility Awareness Week at a local board meeting.
- Feature a lesson plan that builds in access or uses universal design for learning (UDL) strategies.
- Post photos of local students using assistive technology to access curriculum.
- Present a student's story about how he/she accesses the curriculum.
- Set up your own AT Playground in the teacher's lounge: Display low-tech and high-tech tools for teachers to browse.
Accessibility Awareness Week Proclamation 2009.pdf
PDF
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State Policies and Procedures
Each local education agency must ensure that a full and individual evaluation is conducted for each student being considered for special education and related services. In determining if the student is a "student with an exceptionality” and in need of special educational services, the local educational agency must ensure the evaluation is conducted in accordance with the procedures in the Pupil Appraisal Handbook. Additionally, if the results of the evaluation determine the student is a "student with an exceptionality,” the results will be used by the student's IEP Team in designing the student’s individualized education program. This includes any needed assistive technology services or devices.
In October 2005, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) published "A Framework for Conducting Assistive Technology Consideration, Screening & Assessment." This document is an extension of those procedures and guidelines provided in the Pupil Appraisal Handbook, Bulletin 1508, and the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Handbook for Students with Disabilities, Bulletin 1530. The document is an attempt to unify procedures across the state and provide a mechanism to ensure that all students who require assistive technology are receiving the tools and services they need. The intent is that this process will facilitate the ability of school districts to make informed decisions about the assistive technology considerations for their students as well as streamline attempts for monitoring, training, and documentation of assistive technology services.
Louisiana Statewide Assessments, Accommodations and Assistive Technology
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A Framework for Conducting Assistive Technology Consideration, Screening
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Pupil Appraisal Handbook - Bulletin 1508
PDF
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Assistive Technology Reimbursement
The Assistive Technology Reimbursement Program is no longer available. All applications received prior to June 30, 2009 have been submitted.
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Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
There is a new field on the IEP to address accessible instructional materials (AIM).
Why AIM?
AIM supports students who are unable to learn from printed textbooks or other printed core instructional materials.
Who needs AIM?
Students who have difficulty reading and may need supports such as text-to-speech.
Students who need text transferred into alternate formats such as large print, Braille or another language.
Students with visual difficulties who may require larger text, colored text, contrasting background or larger spacing between text.
What are AIM formats?
Typical alternate formats are electronic (digital) text, large print, Braille and audio.
To learn more about AIM resources in Louisiana, go to atanswers.com/AIM
Companion Video for AIM District Process - Jefferson Parish Student
AIM District Process Webinar
AIM LA - Accessible Instructional Media Project for LA
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Louisiana Assistive Technology Summer Institute
Each summer, LATI hosts a state-wide summer institute. Information about the AT Summer Institute and contest winners can be found at http://www.lati3.com/.
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Regional Center Lending Library
LATI operates a short-term loan program to assist school systems in conducting AT assessments and/or recommending assistive technology for students. This affords the student an opportunity to try the technology before it is purchased for his or her use. Lending Library periods are limited to four weeks. This program is not designed to provide long-term loans. The loan period will consist of thirty calendar days, exclusive of school holidays. Computers are not available through the loan program. Assistive technology hardware/software is provided only to students with disabilities, at the request of the local AT staff.
Regional AT staff will process requests for technology loans, ensure the proper working condition of devices, and provide adequate training in the use of the devices. It is the responsibility of the LEA AT staff to pick up the device and return it in proper working condition to their regional AT center. The LEA accepts responsibility for the device in instances of neglect, abuse, or theft.
Once the loan period has ended, the assistive technology hardware/software will be returned to the assistive technology regional center within 3 days past the 30-day loan period. If the device is not returned within that time, the LEA will be contacted for remittance of the device. If the device is lost, damaged, or malfunctioning, the LEA will be held responsible and accountable financially for the repair or replacement of the device. The assistive technology regional center will be responsible for maintaining records of loans.
LATI Loan Library Requests
Lending Library Technology Request Form
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