ATIA Update

It's been a great conference so far!

I went to presentation by Scott Marfilius and Kelly Fonner on School-Based Data Collection - they had some great ideas to share. Did you know that Kurzweil 3000 has some data collection features?

The Luncheon Speaker yesterday was John Hager, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Froma Cummings, Deanna Wagner, and Caroline Van Howe presented a project that they have been working on in Arizona that takes the state's alternative assessment standards and creates activities that will meet those standards for their students with significant cognitive disabilities. It has been very successful.

Susan Garber, from AT:LAST (Maryland Assistive Technology Cooperative) has started a business that provides software and hardware at discounted prices. I'm always looking for ways to improve the Illinois Group Buy, and this was a good presentation to attend. It helps to know what other states are doing.

I went to a reception hosted by Kurzweil Educational Systems, and have some great resources to share with those of you who are trying to integrate Kurzweil into your classrooms. I'll be bringing it to the next round of coalition meetings.

The NATE Network (National Assistive Technology in Education) met last night. It was good to meet different AT providers from across the country. For those of you who would like to know more about the activities of the NATE Network, and how to join, click here to visit their website: NATE Network

This morning I went to a presentation by David Grapka about AT and IT collaboration. He is working on a 3-year project in New York and had some good ideas for bringing the "two worlds together."

Off to interview folks in the exhibit hall and then record the next podcast...

Bulletins as events warrant :)