Sponsored by: American Printing House for the Blind

Overview

Students with low vision require comprehensive, cooperative solutions to fully access their general education curricula. They also need systematic, ongoing assistive technology instruction that complements their classroom learning. The new MATT Connect (Magnifier and Tablet Together) is an essential tool that helps to bridge academic and technological learning gaps for students with low vision. During this session, participants will 1) explore the accessibility features of the MATT Connect; 2) discuss everyday use of the MATT Connect; and 3) develop creative strategies and ideas for teaching students how to integrate the MATT Connect into academic, home-based, social, and recreational settings.

Content Disclosure: This presentation will focus exclusively on MATT Connect and will not include information on other similar or related products.

Learning Objectives

1. List five ways that the MATT Connect gives students increased access to academic and environmental information.
2. Describe three ways to encourage educational team members, including classroom teachers and parents, to actively support classroom use of the MATT Connect.
3. Identify three creative strategies for teaching students to operate the MATT Connect so that they can generalize its use to classroom, home-based, social, and recreational environments.

Strand(s)

Vision & Hearing Technologies; Assistive Technology for Physical Access and Participation

Target Audience

Accessibility Professional; Administrators; AT Specialists; Alternative Media Specialist; Caregivers; Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities; Consultants/Trainers; Curriculum and Instruction; Disability Services; Educators; Family Members; Instructional Technologist; Media Specialist; Occupational Therapists; Paraprofessionals; Rehabilitation Counselor; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Teachers of the Visually Impaired; Visual Impairment Specialists

Experience Level

Introductory; Intermediate; Advanced

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

Elementary - Secondary (K-12)

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with recording

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Friday, January 26 from 2:15 PM - 3:15 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:

Susie Thomas, Ed.D., CTVI, COMS, NBCT

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Center For Assistive Technology and Training Specialist

Biography

Dr. Susie Thomas has over 23 years of teaching experience which includes time as a secondary science teacher for general education as well as for students who are visually impaired. She has also served as an itinerant CTVI and COMS in the public school arena. She holds a BS in Secondary English and Biology, a MS in Special Education – Visual Impairments, and an EdD in Instructional Leadership. Dr. Thomas is also a Certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Certified Braille Transcriber, and a National Board Certified Teacher. She is currently working on her Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist Certification.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Jenny Wheeler, CTVI, COMS

AT Specialist

Biography

Jenny Wheeler is a teacher of students with visual impairments, orientation and mobility specialist, assistive technology specialist, and braille transcriber with over 20 years of experience serving children and adults with visual impairments, families, and professionals. Jenny has a Master of Arts degree in special education with focus in visual impairment and certifications in braille for literary, mathematics/science, music, UEB, and textbook formats. Most recently, she has served as the director of the Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT) Southwest program in partnership with American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and the CATT Southeast and Northwest centers at Alabama Schools for the Deaf and Blind and Washington State School for the Blind, respectively.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No