AT in 3

Matt highlights Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 20, along with how to find resources and events to get involved with through: www.globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org.

Gayl Bowser joins AT in 3 to talk about how to start an AT team and keep it going, how the QIAT can be used in the professional learning of AT teams that are in any stage of development, and way to get reluctant administrators on board in supporting your team.

Nationally recognized AT expert Dr. Joy Zabala joins Matt to discuss the relationship between UDL and AT, how AT has shown through the pandemic, and the evolution of the SETT Framework.

In this special extended episode, Matt talks with State AT Coordinator Sharon Jones from Virginia Commonwealth University about how she has seen AT being utilized with students in remote and hybrid settings across the Commonwealth, lessons AT providers can take with us moving forward out of the pandemic and back into classrooms, and how the Virginia Assistive Technology Network's resources can support educators and students now and in the future.

Matt discusses new text prediction features coming to Microsoft Word in March 2021 and how this tool can be used to support students with disabilities.

Matt discusses a number of assistive technology credentialing options for teachers and related service providers.

Matt reviews his big three takeaways from the virtual ATIA conference this past week and reminds listeners that they can still get free access to many of the resources shared, even if they missed the live conference.

Matt announces the TTAC at Virginia Tech's "virtual" assistive technology open house in February 2021 and discusses the resources you will find there and how to connect to it.

www.techmatrix.org is a great free resource from the American Institute for Research for identifying, comparing, and exploring assistive and educational technology tools for students, based on criteria including content area, grade level, and disability category.  It is also possible to search for research articles aligned with the use of specific assistive technology, to provide insight into the evidence-based practices behind using these tools with students.

The Center for Online Learning and Students with Disabilities has developed a UDL Scan Tool to support the examination of K-12 online curriculum and learning—beyond traditional examinations for accessibility. Using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, the intent of the Tool is to provide a measurement from which to further understand the alignment of K-12 blended and fully online digital materials to the cognitive and learning needs of struggling learners and those with disabilities. Built to include the three UDL principles, nine guidelines, and associated checkpoints, the Tool offers educators, parents, and developers a way to further examine online learning products and a mechanism by which to consider what might be missing in order to best meet the learning needs of ALL individuals.  You can access this free online resource at http://www.centerononlinelearning.res.ku.edu/udl-scan-tool/.