Free Online Assitive Technology Demonstrations and Trainings
Reprinted with permission of
Utah Special Educator, May 2008
Heather Young, Program Coordinator, Utah Assistive Technology Program
page 46
The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) collaborates with experts statewide to provide free online, interactive trainings covering all aspects of assistive technology. Some of the topics covered so far, that specifically relate to educators, include:
Breeze Software Basics,
Assistive Technology for Early Intervention,
Electronic Aids for Daily Living, and
AT Funding Justification.
"I appreciate the opportunity to be included in this training format. It saves my center money in travel and related expenses," said an online training participant. Web-based software called Breeze is used for the trainings. When participants log on to Breeze they will see the presenter, the PowerPoint presentation, a list of the other participants and have the ability to ask questions by typing in the "chat box." Depending on the training topic, presenters sometimes demonstrate specific devices and other times they will demonstrate software or discuss important topics, such as AT funding justification.
"It is a super, great way to provide a training," another participant said. "I liked the ability to see the speakers and handouts and even be able to type questions and see what other questions people had."
The past trainings have been archived and can be viewed on the UATP website at, http://www.uatpat.org/resources/training/training.htm. UATP also offers free online, interactive assistive technology demonstrations. If a student, parent or teacher is interested in purchasing a specific piece of assistive technology but they are not sure which device they should purchase or will benefit from the most, UATP would like to provide an online demonstration. A demonstration will allow a decision maker to compare similar devices and their features, and identify which device to best suit the situation and need. A demonstration can be set up for low-tech or high-tech assistive technology including software, communication devices and more.
To sign up for emails alerting you about the trainings or to set up an online demonstration please contact Heather Young at 435-797-7412, heather@cpd2.usu.edu or Sachin Pavithran at 435-797-6572, sachin.pavithran@usu.edu. UATP is always interested in suggestions on topics for future trainings. Please send your suggestions our way.
