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 BookwormAbleNet 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

http://www.pattan.net/resources/shorttermloan.aspx

PaTTAN/Resources/Short Term Loan or

PaTTAN/Supporting Students/Short Term Loan

Searching for a Kit

Search by Category Search by Title

www.pattan.net

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.