Easter Seals Massachusetts

Assistive Technology Spring 2009

Conference & Exposition

Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor

Plymouth, MA

Thursday, April 9, 2009

You are invited to attend the Assistive Technology Expo hosted by Easter Seals Massachusetts and sponsored by MassMATCH. The Assistive Technology Expo is a one-day seminar designed to provide awareness around assistive technology through workshops and exhibits.

Who Should Attend?

  • People with disabilities and their families
  • Teachers
  • OT’s, PT’s, SLP’s
  • Disability advocates
  • Paraprofessionals
  • School Administrators
  • Support Coordinators
  • Assistive Technology professionals

Here is what previous participants have said:

“Affordable and Resourceful”

“Excellent. Useful information that I can begin to use today”

“Very user friendly with a variety of topics covered”

Exposition Schedule

8:30- 9:30Registration/Breakfast/Exhibit Hall

9:30 - 11:00 Session 1

11:00- 11:30 Break/Exhibit Hall

11:30 - 1:00 Session 2

1:00 - 2:00 Lunch/Keynote

2:00 - 3:30 Session 3

Exhibit Hall will be open 8:30am-2:00pm

Online version of form can be found on our website:

Or click here for the AT Expo webpage: 2009 AT Expo

ATTENDEEREGISTRATION INFORMATION

Early Bird registration fee $45.00 (payment must be received on or before March 1, 2009)

Regular registration fee $75.00 (payment received after March 1, 2009)

Registration Fees include sessions and lunch for 1 person. Please indicate on registration form if you are bringing a Personal Care Assistant (no additional fee)

Registration fees must be paid before acceptance. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis

  • Each Attendee MUST complete a registration form

ASHA CEU Fee $5.00

Acceptable forms of payments are purchase order, check and credit card

Check Payment: Make check payable to Easter Seals Massachusetts

Mail Form and Payment:
Eileen McDonald
Easter Seals Massachusetts
6th Floor
484 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508-751-6309 / Fax Form andMail Payment:
Attention: Eileen McDonald
508-831-9768
Email Form and Mail Payment:

Questions: Please contact Eileen McDonald at 508-751-6309or

We regret we are unable to process refunds

ASHA – Continuing Education Credit

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - 0.5 CEUs

This course is offered for 0.5 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).You must complete and return an ASHA CEU participant form to obtain the 0.5 CEU. These forms will be available at the registration table.

Attendee Registration Information(please print)

Company: / Title:
Name: / Phone:
Address: / e-Mail:
City: / State: / Zip:
Personal Address / Company Address
I am attending the conference as a:
(check all that apply) / Accommodations Requested:
(check all that apply)
Individual with a disability / Large Print
Family member & authorized representative / ASL
Employer or employment related agencies / Braille
School or educational professional / CD
Community living, health care or related agencies / FM System (sessions only)
Other: (please describe) / Sighted Guide
Wheelchair User
Bringing Own PCA
Other (please specify)

Attendee Registration Fee (Fee includes sessions and lunch for 1 person)

Early Bird Registration $45.00 (payment must be received by March 1, 2009)

Regular Registration $75.00 (if payment is received after March 1, 2009)

Please check the Fee(s) that apply (We regret we can not process refunds)

$45.00 Early Bird / $75.00 Regular Fee / $5.00 ASHA CEU (Processing Fee)
My Check for $ / is enclosed
Please charge $ / to my / Visa / MasterCard / AMEX
Card Number: / Expiration Date:
Name on Credit Card:
Phone: / Day / Evening

For Scholarship informationpleasecontact Eileen McDonald at: 508-751-6309

Session Selection (please checkthe appropriate number of your 1st and 2nd choice)

Presentation 1st Choice / Presentation 2nd Choice
Session 1: / 1 / 2 / 3 / Session 1: / 1 / 2 / 3
Session 2: / 4 / 5 / 6 / Session 2: / 4 / 5 / 6
Session 3: / 7 / 8 / 9 / Session 3: / 7 / 8 / 9

Session 1: 9:30 – 11:00am

Transition Assistance to Community Living Environment (TACLE)

Presenter: Meaghan Fitzgerald, MSBE

This presentation will introduce the audience to the Transition Assistance to Community LivingEnvironment project and corresponding tools that were developed through MassMATCH and Easter Seals Massachusetts.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • describe what the Transition Assistance to Community Living (TACLE) project is;
  • explain how the TACLE questionnaire can be used in an independent living environment;
  • list 2 low tech and 2 high tech assistive technology alternatives.

Assistive Technology for Hidden Disabilities

Presenter: Eric Oddleifson, MSOT, OTR/L, ATP

This interactive presentation will discuss high technology solutions used by people with disabilities to promote greater independence with functional activities in various contexts. Information will be presented using case studies, hands on use of the technology and a video presentation.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • list 3 technologies used in the workplace;
  • describe the task analysis process;
  • use task analysis to design one alternative solution based upon a case example;
  • critique some of the various technologies through hands-on experience.

Kurzweil 3000: What’s New in Version 11

Presenter: Jean K. Des Roches, M.C.S.E., C.N.E.

This presentation will provide an overview of Kurzweil 3000; including new features available in version 11. The Main Toolbar, the Reading Toolbar, Study Skills Toolbar and the Writing Toolbar will be reviewed. There will be an emphasis on the new Writing Tools which include Brainstorm, Outline, Column Notes, Draft and Review features.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • demonstrate the use of outline, column notes and drafts within the new Brainstorm Palette
  • describe how to access word lists and writing templates.

Session 2: 11:30am – 1:00pm

 Ask A Dragon To Help

Presenters: Doug Vesely; Arthur Gould

This presentation will demonstrate three ways to use Nuance’s Dragon Naturally Speaking as an Adaptive Technology tool. Low Vision, blindness and learning disability solutions will be shown. Attendees will learn how talking to a computer (voice recognition) can be used in conjunction with large print and speech output, as well as a tool to enhance writing and learning skills.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • list 3 ways to use Nuance’s Dragon Naturally Speaking
  • describe how voice recognition can be used in conjunction with large print and speech output

AAC Options: An Overview for Adults with Acquired Cognitive/Linguistic Impairments

Presenters: Kristi Peak-Oliveira, M.S., CCC; Audrey Tuza, M.C.D., CCC/SLP

This presentation will provide an overview of Augmentative and Alternative Communication options for adults with acquired cognitive/linguistic deficits resulting from traumatic events or illness, including stroke and head injury. Topics covered will include an overview of non-electronic and electronic communication systems, supporting language comprehension and promoting social closeness.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • explain the difference between a non-electronic and electronic communication system
  • list 3 strategies for promoting social closeness
  • list 3 ways to support language comprehension for an adult with an acquired communication disorder.

 Stages Software: Assessment and Reporting Progress of Individuals with Significant Learning or Physical Challenges

Presenter: Madalaine Pugliese

This presentation will address the fact that the Individual with Disabilities Education Act mandates all students be included in each state’s accountability measures. Stages are a set of accessible activities for alternate assessment strategy. These activities support adaptive access and are a tool for collecting primary evidence from learners with intensive needs.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • measure and record student performance with accessible software activities
  • analyze, summarize and report student performance data
  • record behavioral and affective measures on observation forms to provide complete portfolio assessment of student skills.

Keynote Address: 1:00am – 2:00pm

Presenters:Catherine H. Bly, M Ed, TVI, COMS; Katie Krusinski, M.S., CCC-SLP

MassMATCH assists individuals with disabilities, family members, disability-related providers, agencies and organizations across the state to get assistive technology through the following programs: device demonstration, device short-term loan, device re-utilization and state financing activities. Learn how to access these resources, with a focus on the Assistive

Technology Regional Center (ATRC).

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this keynote address, attendees will be able to:

  • list 3 services that are supported by MassMATCH
  • describe how to access those 3 services
  • explain what services the ATRC offers and how to access those services

Session 3: 2:00 – 3:30pm

Thinking Outside the Box: Assistive Technology for Individuals Who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Late Deafened

Presenter: Jonathan O’Dell, ALB

This presentation will outline what general types of assistive technology are available, what factors need to be addressed when making AT selections and encourage the development of a ‘whole person’ philosophy among service providers.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • explain different types of AT used by and for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing/late deafened
  • describe how to apply that knowledge in unconventional ways

Assistive Technology and the Americans with Disabilities Act: When is Assistive Technology Required?

Presenter: Kathy Gips

This session will review the laws that may require assistive technology and focus on assistive technology in employment, who has rights to assistive technology, what are examples of assistive technology, how is "undue hardship" determined, what is the process for requesting the need for assistive technology and who pays for the evaluation and the technology.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • describe who has the rights to assistive technology in the workplace
  • list examples of assistive technology
  • explain the factors for how “undue hardship” is determined
  • describe the process for requesting the need for AT in the workplace

Read & Write GOLD: Ensuring Success for All Students

Presenter: Nate Stevens

This presentation will demonstrate what a Read & Write GOLD, Texthelp Systems’ software product, can do for your students. It is a comprehensive literacy software solution for all students with reading, writing, and organizational difficulties,including those with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, and who are English language users.

Learning Outcomes: After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

  • list 3 basic features of Read & Write GOLD including those in the newest releases for PC and MAC
  • define how Read & Write Gold supports the principles of UDL
  • describe how Read & Write GOLD provides tools for instructional support across all RTI Tiers

Catherine H. Bly, M Ed, TVI, COMS; Easter Seals Massachusetts, ATRC Associate

Cathy’s background is an educator of students with visual impairments. She presently works for the MassMATCH sponsored Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC). Her area of expertise is in adaptive devices for people with visual challenges.

Jean K. Des Roches, M.C.S.E., C.N.E.; Easter Seals Massachusetts, Assistive Technology Specialist

Jean was the founder and past president of ASSETS, Inc., a non-profit agency that provided assistive technology supports to the community. Jean is now working as an Assistive Technology Specialist with Easter Seals in southeastern Massachusetts.

Meaghan M. Fitzgerald, MSBE; Easter Seals Massachusetts, Assistive Technology Specialist

Meaghan earned a M.S. in Bio-Engineering with an emphasis on rehabilitation and assistive technology from the University of Illinois- Chicago in 2006. She has been working in the assistive technology field for over two years.

Kathy Gips;New England ADA Center; Director of Training

Kathy provides trainings and technical assistance on the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehab Act, the federal Fair Housing Act, special education laws, related state and federal laws and accessible information technology.

Arthur Gould; Adaptive Technology A Division of Perkins Products, Manager of Outside Sales and Training

Arthur has worked at Adaptive Technology for 8 years and has expertise in Voice Recognition products and bridges to other adaptive products.

Katie Krusinski, M.S., CCC-SLP; Easter Seals Massachusetts, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Specialist and ATRC Coordinator

Katie provides pediatric and adult clients with Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Services. She also coordinates demonstrations, information and awareness events, and short term loans of assistive technology equipment to the public.

Eric Oddleifson, MSOT, OTR/L, ATP; Easter Seals Massachusetts, Assistive Technology Specialist

Eric has been an occupational therapist and an assistive technology practitioner for the past eight years. He worked at an inpatient hospital facility on the neuro-rehabilitation unit for 4.5 years before coming to Easter Seals in 2003.

Jonathan O’Dell, ALB; Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Assistive Technology Manager

Jonathan has been at MCDHH for 18 years. He has extensive first-hand experience of hearing loss and an intuitive knowledge of assistive technology issues and applications.

Kristi Peak-Oliveira, M.S., CCC; Easter Seals Massachusetts, Speech-Language Pathologist/AAC Specialist

Kristi has 20 years of experience in the field of augmentative communication. She has been with Easter Seals for 9 years providing evaluation and consultation services for both children and adults in a variety of settings.

Madalaine Pugliese; Simmons College, Assistive Technology Graduate Program Director

Madalaine has over 30 years of experience in public education and is a nationally recognized speaker and authority in assistive technology.

Nate Stevens; Texthelp, District Sales Manager for the New England Region

Nate brings 3 years of both sales experience and in depth product expertise, providing the best solutions for students’ literacy needs.

Audrey Tuza, M.C.D., CCC/SLP; Easter Seals Massachusetts, Speech-Language Pathologist/AAC Specialist

Audrey has 9 years experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She has been with Easter Seals for 5 years providing augmentation communication evaluations and consultative services to children and adults.

Doug Vesely; Adaptive Technology A Division of Perkins Products, Manager of Low Vision and Learning Products

Doug has worked with Adaptive Technology for 11 years and has focused primarily on products for individuals who have low vision and/or learning disabilities.