Presented by Cicily McBride and Sara Story (Spaulding University)

Friday, September 9, 2022
10:30am – 11:45am

Session Description

Occupational therapists provide compassionate and inclusive care to individuals to promote quality of life through increased participation in meaningful activities. Our knowledge regarding both high and low assistive technology can benefit many individuals. Frequently, individuals needing assistive technology may not know what to choose from the hundreds of options, how to work the equipment, and how to implement it into their lives to improve independence. Occupational therapists can work with the individual to assist with choosing AT and assessing usability without leaving the comfort of their home by using telehealth. Telehealth is a service delivery type that uses videoconferencing software available on most tablets and smartphones. Telehealth increases one’s accessibility to quality occupational therapists that can aid in assistive technology. This presentation will provide information on improving the telehealth experience for all parties, demonstrate what an occupational therapy session would look like, and recommend assistive technology to incorporate into one’s morning routine.

Read more Waking up with OT and AT ›

Presented by Jimmy Brown, Accessibility Coordinator, KY OVR, DHS Trusted Tester and Lisa McKeown, Personal Care Attendant Program Assistant, Center For Accessible Living

Friday, September 9, 2022
9:00am – 10:15am

Session Description

As sighted users, we often look at a document in “helicopter view”. We tend to forget that not everyone is able to see the whole document at all times (or quickly scan over the document with their eyes). Many users of assistive technologies, such as screen readers and screen magnifiers, have a very limited/targeted view of the document. They may only be able to focus on one element at a time.

Combining accessibility standards and usability processes with real people ensures that your electronic content (websites and documents) are both technically and functionally usable by people with disabilities. This is referred to as “usable accessibility” or “accessible user experience” (UX). It is just as important to understand how your document is read by assistive technology (AT), such as screen readers, and not just that it can be read by AT and/or passes an automated accessibility checker. Getting the perspective of AT users with real world, lived experience is just as important as meeting the standards. In this session, we will be looking at a sample document, starting with a completely inaccessible version and working through the steps to make the document accessible. Along the way, we will be testing the document with a screen reader and visually walking through the tags tree to gain a better understanding of how AT interacts with the documents we create. You will also have the opportunity to hear first hand from users of screen readers and magnification software about their experiences and preferences with accessible documents.

Read more Accessible Documents: The End-User Experience ›

Presented by Greg Blackman, EYE Can See, Inc.

Thursday, September 8, 2022
2:30pm – 3:45pm

Session Description

This presentation will cover the entire spectrum of assistive devices for vision loss from low vision to blindness, low tech to high tech, both hardware and software.  I will break these devices down into categories, provide examples and supply everyday applications and testimonials showing how they impact the lives of people.  Particular attention will be paid to some of the latest cutting-edge pieces of assistive technology such as head-borne and OCR devices.  I will discuss the differences between all the accessible computer software options from Freedom Scientific such as JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion along with how software licenses work.  There will be plenty of time allotted for questions and product demonstrations.  The goal is to have the presentation as interactive as possible; I will demonstrate equipment and encourage participation.

Read more Latest & Greatest in Assistive Tech for Low Vision & Blindness ›

Presented by Brandon Conrad (MatchWare, Inc.) and Paddy Heaton (Glean)

Thursday, September 8, 2022
1:00pm – 2:15pm

Session Description

Learn How Students use Mind Mapping for Notes, Writing Comp. and Time Management.

Mind Mapping is theory based and proven to be great for planning, brainstorming, and reading and writing comprehension for both students and adults. Learn how individuals can overcome difficulties with Anxiety, Blank Page Syndrome, Feeling Overwhelmed, Confusion on Assignments and Time Management. Individuals with or without learning disabilities can benefit from Mind Mapping, but specifically, it can be helpful for individuals that have been diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, Executive Function Disorder, etc.

In this interactive presentation, attendees will be guided through Mind Mapping best practices on how to visually organize topics, research, cite and reference information, and export data in any academic format, such as APA, MLA, etc.  Furthermore, we will illustrate when Mind Mapping is paired with technology how it can enhance creativity, clarify thinking and improve understanding of the subject at hand.

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Meet Glean: the note taking support tool that improves grades and study skills

Note taking is the modern learning skill most of us are missing. In fact, 89% of disability services professionals do not believe their students know how to take notes in a way that supports learning. Note taking can be a big challenge for students with disabilities, whether on-site or online. 

Enter Glean: a note taking tool that helps students with disabilities capture and use spoken information effectively. Through interactive audio recording, students add labels, text notes, lecture slides, definitions, transcription, images and more to their workspace, creating a complete set of multimedia notes in the process.

95% of students say that using Glean improves how they learn. In this session you’ll see a full demo of the Glean note taking tool, as well as a look at our research into how Glean helps students improve their grades and study skills.

Read more Assistive Technology for Note Taking and Mind Mapping ›

Presented by Michelle Coffey, Katy Greene, Maryfrances Gross, and Stacey Stevens from the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute

Thursday, September 8, 2022
10:30am – 11:45am

Session Description

This presentation will give you a better understanding of the Driver Rehabilitation process within Kentucky Vocational Rehabilitation once a referral has been received. The presenters will discuss the components of the evaluation process, training goals and recommendations, and the vehicle modification process.

Read more Driver Rehabilitation in Kentucky ›

Presented by Steve Davis, University of Kentucky’s True Lean Program

Thursday, September 8, 2022
9:00am – 10:15am

Session Description

The ABC’s of Office Ergonomics: What it is and why it’s necessary… how anyone can conduct an ergo evaluation! Includes DIY ergonomic adjustments that can be improvised in the field.

Read more The ABC’s of Office Ergonomics ›

Moderated by Dave Tucker, Assistive Technology Specialist

Wednesday, September 7, 2022
2:30pm – 3:45pm

Session Description

Our AT Resource centers and vendors show off the latest advances in Assistive Technology

Read more Assistive Technology Smackdown ›

Presented by Carol Allen, Education Advisor for ICT and Inclusion

Wednesday, September 7, 2022
1:00pm – 2:15pm

Session Description

When considering the role technology plays in the lives of autistic students, we come across a conflict between the huge positives offered and equally, the perceived difficulties and barriers.  This lively session, all based on practical experience, will move from the overarching issue of Assistive Technology and its effective implementation for our students through to the vibrancy of student voice, in particular when supported by AAC and the consequent benefits and potential difficulties.  Come along, join in and take away ideas to support your own practice.

Read more Assistive Technology and Autism: Access, AAC and Awareness ›