Training

Assistive Technology Training Supported by The Texas Technology Access Program

The Texas Technology Access Program provides training on a variety of AT topics including: AT for persons with cognitive disabilities, AT for older adults, AT in the workplace, computer and information technology access, library access, workplace accommodation and vehicle modification. In addition, the Program will utilize other professionals around the State to provide training as appropriate.

The Texas Technology Access Program has partnered with United Cerebral Palsy of Texas to provide assistive technology training free of charge through our Device Demonstration Centers throughout the state.

Topics and schedule of training:

"How to Request Assistive Technology in an ARD Meeting"
With permission by the authors, the training was presented by PowerPoint and based on a book, Pointers for Parents, by Dr. Penny Reed and Gayle Bowser. This two-day training covers an abundance of information for parents with children with disabilities and allows ample time for much a needed question and answer session.

"Assistive Technology in the Home"
Covers simple and inexpensive ways to make a home accessible. Other topics covered in this training are instructions on how to complete a home assessment and how to make a home useable using technology.

"Funding for Assistive Technology"
The training includes information and resources on common funding sources for assistive technology.

"Adapted Outdoor Activities for Children with Disabilities"
This is an especially helpful training for parents with children with disabilities during the summer months. The training included a lecture, pictures and examples of the actual adaptations.

Upcoming Training:

El Paso Rehabilitative Center:
August 16: "Funding Assistive Technology"

UCP-Houston:
August 24: Funding Assistive Technology
"Assistive Technology in the ARD"

East Texas Center for Independent Living Tyler
August 29: "Assistive Technology in the ARD"
"Funding Assistive Technology"

AIR-High
Knowbility invites tech educators to take advantage of a one-day training opportunity that can help accessibility standards and promote accessible web design in Texas Schools! The idea is to prepare tech educators to teach the Web Accessibility class to their students who will then compete for scholarship prizes.

AIR-Houston, AIR-San Antonio, AIR-Austin
AIR is the central initiative for raising awareness and rallying communities around the powerful idea of IT inclusion! Produced in Austin since 1998, and replicated in cities throughout the country, AIR is nationally recognized for excellence and innovation for engaging communities in web accessibility issues through a fun, friendly web design competition. The AIR program has long-term results and provides benefits for the whole community. Web developers learn about how and why to create accessible online applications and then apply their new skills by creating an accessible website that is reviewed by national accessibility experts.

Community Rallies are held annually in Austin and Houston, Texas and have been produced in Dallas, Denver and San Francisco. A modified community AIR program is held each year in conjunction with the SXSW Interactive Media Conference. AIR-Interactive focuses on arts organizations, encourages accessible development of sophisticated multimedia applications, and extends the time allotted to development teams to build their entries.

ATSTAR
Assistive Technology: Strategies, Tools, Accommodations and Resources
ATSTAR is an online curriculum designed to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities by helping teachers learn to use assistive technology in the classroom. Our core program is a series of online teacher training modules with supporting expert videos. The course is revolutionary in that it brings assistive technology expertise directly into the school and into the classrooms of individual students. ATSTAR prepares instructional staff at the school level to conduct assessments, collect data, and integrate assistive technology into the educational process. The program provides a network of ongoing support as educators learn to use technology to include students with disabilities in classroom learning activities.