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webinar on stimulus bill and assistive technology
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American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009-IDEA Funds Webinar
Assistive Technology & Professional Development
Brian S. Friedlander, Ph.D.
Goals of ARRA 2009Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs.
Improve student achievement through
school improvement and reform.
Ensure transparency, reporting and
accountability.
Invest in one-time ARRA fund thoughtfully
to minimize the “funding cliff.”
IDEA Recovery Funds$11.3 billion under Part B Grants to States
$400 million under Part B Preschool Grants
$500 million under Part C Grants for Infants & FamiliesEarly intervention for infants & familes
Uses of IDEA, Part B Recovery Funds
Obtain state-of-the art assistive technology devices and provide
training in their use to enhance access to the general curriculum for
students with disabilities.
Provide intensive district-wide professional development for special
education and regular education teachers that focuses on scaling-up,
through replication, proven and innovative evidence-based school-
wide strategies in reading, math, writing and science, and positive
behavioral supports to improve outcomes for students with
disabilities.
Develop or expand the capacity to collect and use data to improve
teaching and learning.
Uses of IDEA, Part B Recovery Funds
Expand the availability and range of inclusive
placement options for preschoolers with
disabilities by developing the capacity of public
and private preschool programs to serve these
children.
Hire transition coordinators to work with
employers in the community to develop job
placements for youths with disabilities.
Implications for ATState of the art assistive technology devicesProvide professional development in the use
of the assistive technology devicesOpportunities to refresh inventory of
equipmentFocus on enhancing access to the general
education curriculumProvide intensive district-wide professional
development for special education and regular education teachers
Things to Consider??Moving towards a Universal Design for
Learning ModelGoals for your program(s)Needs of the students
Population(s) to serveTasks you are hoping your students will perform
Classroom settings for your programsAssistive Technology Toolkit
Current inventory of assistive technologyProfessional development
Looking at the big pictureOpportunities to systematically phase
in Universal Design for Learning
Multiple Means of
Representation
Multiple Means of Expression
Multiple Means of Engagement
Teacher
Reading Tools•Text to Speech•Audio Supports•MP3 PlayersWriting Tools•Text to Speech•Word prediction•Spelling toolsMath Tools•Calculators•On Screen applications•Virtual applets
What is in your AT Toolkit?
Things to Consider??Standardizing on an AT ToolkitLooking at Web 2.0 ToolsLooking at online AT servicesCombination of commercial and freeware
toolsTimeline for purchase and trainingDelivery of trainingWill your district be able to support the
initiative after the grant period?
Building Capacity
It is an exciting time!Plan with a purpose
Envision the future with technology
Work with experts in the field who share your
vision
Plan your professional development wisely
Collect data and watch your students soar!
Things to ConsiderEngage your Technology Director early on in
the process
Think in terms of two years out
Build the capacity of your staff
Plan with your terminal goals in mind
Understand your school culture and plan
wisely
Resources
Available from NPR, Inc.
Available online at www.innovativespeech.com
ResourcesCenter for Applied Special Technology
Closing the Gap
AssistiveTek Blog
AssistiveTech Ning Group
