Overview

Learn how one state has moved from an accessible textbook access center to an expansive lending library that supports access for a wide range of students. We will share the lessons learned, resources for curation and creation, and adapted materials we have created. The workshop includes ideas for kits and strategies to increase greater access to a wide array of students. Whether a state is looking to expand or a school or district wants to build a lending library, we will provide practical steps for starting and continued growth.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe two or more kit types to develop that will increase access for the students you are targeting.
2. Identify four or more tools or resources to create or curate resources for building an accessible library.
3. Identify two or more funding sources for creating or expanding an accessible lending library.

Strand(s)

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

Target Audience

Accessibility Professional; Alternative Media Specialist; Caregivers; Communication Specialist; Curriculum and Instruction; Educators; Family Members; Media Specialist; Occupational Therapists; Rehabilitation Counselor; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Teachers of the Visually Impaired; Visual Impairment Specialists

Experience Level

Introductory

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

Elementary - Secondary (K-12); Higher Education

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with recording

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Thursday, January 25 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:

Rebecca Jones

Rhode Island Materials Access Center/ TechACCESS of RI, Accessible Educational Materials Coordinator

Biography

Becky is the Accessible Educational Materials Coordinator for TechACCESS of RI. She has over 25 years of experience in teaching, primarily in special education. She enjoys finding creative ways to meet student’s learning needs. Becky has a Bachelor of Science from Rhode Island College in Elementary & Special Education and a Master’s of Ed. in Special Education. She is Braille transcriber and designs and prints with 3d printers.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment at TechACCESS of RI

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Jennifer Martinous

TechACCESS of RIFALSE

Biography

Jen has over 25 years of experience working with children with varying degrees of physical and learning challenges. Jen is a registered an occupational therapist and an ATP. Jen’s passion is to help children and adults utilize tools and strategies for them to learn and improve their independence in school and within their community. Jen has provided workshops on assistive technology topics throughout the state and nationally and taught courses at local colleges. Jen also serves as the Clinical Manager at TechACCESS.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment at TechACCESS of RI

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Matthew Provost, MS, CCC-SLP

TechACCESS of RI, Communication Consultant

Biography

Matthew is a certified speech language pathologist and one of TechACCESS’s communication consultants. He provides evaluation, training and technical services to children and adults who have difficulty using their own speech to communicate. Matthew works with adults who are nonverbal or losing their ability to speak. He also works with students and their educational teams and speech therapists to develop strategies and plans for students in need of communication systems. Matthew provides workshops on augmentative communication topics throughout the state and nationally. He has been in the field for over 25 years and with TechACCESS since 2007. Matthew is the Program Chair for the Assistive Technology Conference of New England, which TechACCESS hosts annually in November.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment at TechACCESS of RI

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No