Overview
This session explores the benefits in engaging students in building open-source assistive devices to further understanding of assistive technology and its use and applications through Neil Squire's Makers Making Change program. Having students directly involved in the creation of AT through maker education can lead to less stigma surrounding AT use leading to greater outcomes for users and less AT abandonment.
Content Disclosure: This presentation will focus exclusively on resources from Neil Squire's Makers Making Change program. The Neil Squire Society is a Canadian national not-for-profit organization that helps Canadians with disabilities through advocacy, computer-based, assistive technology, research and development, and various employment programs.
Learning Objectives
- Describe three positive outcomes for AT users, peers and teachers from variety of backgrounds in relation to AT use.
- Identify three themes to increase AT use and acceptance within a classroom or education setting.
- Discuss three benefits of building and creating assistive technology within education settings.
Primary & Secondary Strand
AT for Physical Access and Participation
Target Audience
- Accessibility Professional
- AT Specialists
- Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities
- Consultants/Trainers
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Disability Services
- Educators
- Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Special Education Educators
- Teachers of the Visually Impaired
- Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
- Vocational Rehabilitation
Experience Level
Introductory
Primary Life Cycle Addressed
Elementary - Secondary (K-12); Higher Education
Session Delivery Format
In-person presentation with live-stream
Course Schedule
This course was given at the ATIA 2023 Conference on Friday, February 3 from 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM (EST)
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Learning Center CEUs
This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits
ACVREP; AOTA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.
ASHA CE Information: Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: November 15, 2023
End date of ASHA CEUs offering: June 30, 2024
End date of current CRC CEUs offering: March 19, 2025
Please refer to the CRC AT for Physical Access and Participation Series (2024-2025) page for further information on how to submit your CRC CEUs for this course to CRCC.
Speaker/s:
Courtney Cameron
Neil Squire's Makers Making Change, East Region Coordinator
Biography
Courtney started with Neil Squire in 2017 as a Job Developer with previous experience in facilitating employment programs for youth with disabilities with an emphasis on job development and advocacy. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from St Thomas University, an advanced diploma in Developmental Services from Humber College, and completed her Assistive Technology Applications Certification from California State University Northridge in 2017. Courtney has been working on Neil Squire's Makers Making Change program since 2017 when she attended her first tech building session and was immediately hooked by seeing makers creating open source technology. Since then, Courtney's skills and passion have grown and she enjoys the challenge and value of promoting affordable and customizable assistive technology, creating opportunities for makers contribution.
Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment
Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No