Overview

This interactive workshop will outline the importance of accessing assistive technology in party planning for all individuals and demonstrate techniques for putting this into practice. Presenters will demonstrate the effectiveness of assistive technology used for choice-making, party planning, and adapted-play and provide specific examples. All examples will have tangible goals and feature students with complex needs, including physical/motor impairments, intellectual disabilities, and cortical visual impairment, demonstrating their successful use of assistive technology. Presenters will identify ways to implement these strategies within the school, home, and community settings. Participants will participate in hands-on party planning and leave with a virtual goody bag!

Learning Objectives

1. Identify one or more needs for adaptations and accessibility for individuals with complex needs to participate in party planning/participation, leisure activities, and playful explorations.
2. Describe three or more uses of assistive technology within party planning/participation, and playful explorations.
3. Evaluate at least three specific examples of party games/activities that can be made more accessible using assistive technology including switches, powerlinks, and/or smart technology.

Strand(s)

Assistive Technology for Physical Access and Participation; Education & Learning: Early Intervention – 12/Higher Education

Target Audience

Accessibility Professional; ADA Coordinator; Administrators; AT Specialists; Caregivers; Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities; Consultants/Trainers; Disability Services; Educators; Family Members; Occupational Therapists; Paraprofessionals; Physical Therapists; Rehabilitation Counselor; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Transition Coordinator

Experience Level

Introductory; Intermediate; Advanced

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

All

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with recording

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Friday, January 26 from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs

This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; ASHA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Speaker/s:

J. Teresa Giardina, MS Ed

HMS School For Children with Cerebral Palsy, Co Director HMS Connect

Biography

Teresa Giardina is the Co-Director of HMS Connect and a special education teacher at HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy where she has been employed for over a decade. Her professional journey started with volunteer opportunities, then paraprofessional work, onto a classroom teacher, and now education administration. Teresa is a proponent of DIY assistive technology, playful exploration, and interpersonal play. Outside of school, Teresa can be seen playing with her own children, officiating roller derby, and questing for the best vegan wings. After presenting at Closing the Gap, HELIX, and ATIA, Courtney and Teresa launched an Instagram account documenting their games and conference appearances: check them out at Adapt_Play_Connect.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from Employment: HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Courtney Grimes

HMS School For Children with Cerebral Palsy, Special Education Teacher

Biography

Courtney Grimes has been a special education teacher at HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy for 17 years. Her early experiences as a camp counselor at Easter Seals inspired her to infuse play and playful exploration in all that she does. Courtney aims to create accessible play activities for all her students using assistive technology and creativity. Courtney also enjoys being an involved fun aunt, a rucking aficionado, and a dedicated Steelers fan. After presenting at Closing the Gap, HELIX, and ATIA, Courtney and Teresa launched an Instagram account documenting their games and conference appearances: check them out at Adapt_Play_Connect.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from Employment HMS School for Children with CP

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No