The Easter Seals Arkansas Technology and Curriculum Access Center, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), will be offering professional development on topics of Assistive Technology Hardware and Software for the blind and visually impaired during the Spring semester of the 2006-2007 school year. These workshops are intended for special education teachers, vision teachers, related services providers, paraprofessionals, and administrators. These workshops are designed to assist staff in learning some of the basics in working with blind and visually impaired students with Scanning/reading software (Kurzweil 1000), the Mountbatten Brailler, DAISY books and other digital books, an alternative screen reader to JAWS (FreedomBox), GPS systems (BrailleNote, Trekker and PAC Mate), and an accessible personal digital assistant (BrailleNote).
The format for each workshop is hands-on application based, cooperative learning, and some demonstration. Demonstration versions of software will be provided to those in attendance when possible. Seating is limited. There is a $50 per person fee. All workshops will be conducted at the Outpatient Building, Easter Seals Arkansas, 3920 Woodland Heights Road, Little Rock, AR 72212.
For further information, contact Dave Wilkinson, Low Vision Consultant with the Technology & Curriculum Access Center (TCC) at Easter Seals Arkansas by phone 501-227-3611, fax: 501-227-3601, toll-free: 877-533-3600 or e-mail, dwilkinson@ar.easterseals.com. Registration materials are available on-line at www.ar.easterseals.com or in the attachment.