Videos

Module 3 of the POWER:AAC series reviews the various multi-modal AAC options to consider for students who need/use AAC, from no-tech, through low-tech, to high tech. A guide for making one such option- a simple manual communication board – is introduced.

Module 4 of the POWER:AAC series covers the important topic of selecting words for a student’s AAC system. It focuses on the importance of core vocabulary words and planning for providing sufficient vocabulary in student AAC systems.

Module 5 addresses issues regarding the representation of vocabulary words with pictures. It provides simple strategies for teaching pictures for core vocabulary words, and managing pictures on other visual support materials in classrooms.

Module 6 covers the visual supports and educational scaffolds that are essential in a POWER:AAC classroom environment, including tools to help students communicate with their AAC systems.

Module 7 covers the important topic of communication partner skills. AAC literature reports that adult communication partners facilitate communication growth for their students when they learn how to model language using the form of AAC the student is learning to use, create communication opportunities, and respond to students’ use of their systems with descriptive feedback.

Module 8 presents a variety of strategies for teaching students core and extended vocabulary using their AAC systems. These strategies provide starting points for guiding POWER:AAC classroom teams in developing their own systematic approach to teaching vocabulary use with their students.

Module 9 addresses the four purposes of communication as defined by Janice Light in her work on Communicative Competence – wants and needs, information transfer, social closeness, and social etiquette. For students who use AAC, learning to communicate for these purposes puts them on a path towards increasing communication competence. IEP goals are also discussed in this module.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to set aside at least 15% of their federal funds to provide "pre-employment transition services" to "students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services." During this webinar, offered in collaboration with the National Community of Practice on Secondary Transition, presenters from across the country will present examples of effective strategies activities and resources that are currently being implemented in a variety of states to meet the five required pre-employment transition services areas.

This training will cover definitions of neurodiversity, as well as the challenges, and opportunities regarding college and employment of students with Autism. SAP, the global leader in enterprise software, will discuss trends among high profile employers and the creation of successful workforce programs. We will also offer an overview on training modules informed by the work at SAP. These materials provide practical approaches to preparing students for college and employment. Presenters will share the specifics of the new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act as well as the role the Office for Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) plays in Secondary Transition, Early Reach, and Pre-Employment Transition Services.

This session provides updates on national trends for educators who work with students with Acquired Brain Injuries (both traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries). Best practices for providing information to educators, (including interprofessional education), current thinking about TBI as a chronic condition, and suggestions for providing support in the classroom and community will be discussed.