TN AER 2014: Session & Presenter Descriptions
Using Bookshare to Access Digital Books
Presented by: Vikki Vaughn
This presentation will include a demonstration of the process of setting up and
organization account and registering students for a BS account, searching for
desired books, downloading books and using free Bookshare digital book reading
software to access books.
Vikki Vaughan has been a TVI since 1983 and the AT teacher at the MNPS
school district since 1993. She is AT certified from CA State University and is
also an adjunct for the Program in Visual Disabilities at Peabody.
Tactile Talk: The Functional Communication Book and Literacy Toolkit for the
iPad
Presented by Dr. Betsy Flener
This presentation will focus on an exciting new product developed by this author.
Tactile Talk is a communication and literacy book that uses tactile symbol
overlays for the iPad with audio feedback. The presentation will first describe the
rationale for the makeup of the book that combines communication with
important literacy components. The book can be used by students to perform
basic communication functions such as expressing wants and needs and also
identify and learn basic concepts. Positional concepts, body parts, number skills,
shapes, sizes, etc. are included. Other components of the book include routines,
locations and maps, and a book adapted with tactile symbols. Overlays will be
displayed along with information about the included guidebook.
Dr. Betsy Flener has over 25 years of experience working with students who
have visual impairments and also those with additional disabilities. She recently
retired from her position as a regional consultant for Kentucky School for the
Blind. She is currently an assistive technology consultant at the Green River
Regional Educational Cooperative. She is a published author and has
presented nationally on such topics as septo-optic dysplasia, Response to
Intervention (RtI), technology, advocacy, self-determination, keyboarding skills,
communication for students with complex needs, literacy instruction for students
with multiple disabilities, and the iPad for students with multiple disabilities, She
recently completed 3 webinars focusing on the iPad for the American Foundation
for the Blind.
Exploring the Vision Accessibility Features in iOS
Presented by Doug Walker
Learn how using Zoom is just scratching the surface when it comes to using the
vision accessibility features on Apple’s iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Also,
explore exciting accessible apps and accessories that will put the P in the word
productive.
Douglas Walker, MS has worked in the field of blindness and visual impairment
for the past 20 years. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Douglas is currently
an Instructor specializing in the area of Assistive Technology for the Hadley
School for the Blind in Chicago. He also teaches Assistive Technology
coursework as an Adjunct Professor in the Vision Programs at Vanderbilt
University and Trevecca Nazarene University.
Unified English Braille: Preparing for the Transition
Presented by Drs. Deborah Hatton and Mackenzie Saviano
According to the Braille Authority of North America, January 4, 2016 is the target
date for implementation of the Unified English Braille (UEB) Code in the United
States. In this session, we will provide a brief overview of changes in the code
and identify resources that can help with the transition.
Dr. Deborah D. Hatton is Associate Professor of Special Education and Director
of the Program in Visual Disabilities at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.
Before starting work at Vanderbilt’s Program in Visual Disabilities in August 2009,
Deborah was a senior scientist at the FPG Child Development Institute at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she spent 15 years directing
research and outreach projects funded by the U. S. Department of Education and
the National Institutes of Health. Prior to her work as a researcher and faculty
member, she was employed as a general education teacher, an itinerant teacher
of students with visual impairments, and an administrator. She helped establish
the statewide early intervention program for young children with visual
impairments, age’s birth to five years, at the Governor Morehead School (GMS)
for the Blind in Raleigh, NC and later served on the board of directors at GMS for
12 years.
Dr. Mackenzie Saviano is a recent graduate from Vanderbilt University and has
been a certified TVI since as recently accepted a new position as the director of
the vision program at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Her line of research
has been in braille reading and writing.
Integrating AT: Gaining the Support of Administrators and General Education
Teachers
Presented by Dr. Shari Scott
Assistive technology (AT) can be a powerful tool for allowing our students access
to the regular education curriculum but sometimes the biggest obstacle to getting
it into the hands of our students is the attitude of the administration and other
educators. During this session we will discuss ways to provide documentation of
the value of AT and ways to support implementation. We will seek to develop a
list of ideas to encourage the classroom teacher to support the daily use of AT.
Dr. Shari Scott earned a Bachelor’s degree in English/History from Texas Tech,
followed by a Masters in Special Education from Austin Peay and an Ed.D. in
Curriculum from Tennessee State University. Her experience in the classroom
varies from county schools to Tennessee School for the Blind educating students
aged birth to 22. She now works as Assistive Technology Consultant for
Outreach and is also adjunct faculty at Trevecca and for the Regents Online
Program.