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August 2017, Volume 8
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In this issue:
Shane is a middle school band and choir director who uses Made for iPhone hearing aids in her classroom so she can hear every note.

Partnership Highlight


Alt+Shift has partnered with five intermediate school districts throughout Michigan to provide Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) training and implementation support for the 2017-2018 school year. Interested districts applied in the spring, and five were selected for one of two levels of support. Sites that already have an advanced PODD trained person will receive initial support from Alt+Shift to carry out their implementation plans before continuing on their own. Intensive level of support was offered to districts without people who have attained advanced training. Partners in the process are looking to shift adult practices in developing communication for students with complex communication needs with the support of Alt+Shift staff and resources.

Resources


In an Edutopia article, “Dyslexia in the General Education Classroom,” Kelli Sandman-Hurley dispels common misconceptions about what dyslexia is and provides specific suggestions for how teachers can provide accommodations that can be the difference between academic success and failure for students with dyslexia. The article also features a TedEd talk that  describes the experience of having dyslexia, the neurology of dyslexia, and, maybe most importantly, how people with dyslexia can learn to read and be successful in a variety of fields.

Upcoming Events: Michigan


MAASE Summer Institute
August 6-9, 2017
Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, MI

Literacy Academy - Conventional Literacy for Students with Moderate to Significant Disabilities (5 Day Event)
August 7-11, 2017
Oakland Schools, Waterford
Ten seats available for out-of-district attendees: $850 per person

5th Annual Michigan Autism Conference
October 11-13, 2017
Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo

#TalkingAAC 2017 Conference
November 1-3
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing

Michigan POHI/SXI Conference
November 2-3
Macomb ISD, Clinton Township

Upcoming Events: National

 
AETC IETC 2017
August 16-18, 2017
Cambridge, MA

2017 NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
November 15-18, 2017
Atlanta, GA

Lending Library Update
August 2017:
There are 32 items out on loan. 
First Author logo
Featured item:
AlgeBlocks
by Hand 2 Mind
Build conceptual learning with concrete understanding. Provide meaning to variables, combine like terms with understanding, use an area model to represent multiplying and factoring polynomials, and solve first-, second-, and third-degree equations. Each kit contains enough materials for four students working independently.

Opportunities to Learn More


ATIA - Assistive Technology Industry Association - Free Archived Webinar

How uPAR Data is Leading to Smarter Accommodation Decisions Across Districts - 
Districts are making incredible discoveries with uPAR—an automated tool that identifies reading accommodation needs. uPAR is viewed as a change catalyst having huge system impact far beyond reading accommodations on the assessment. Learn more in the free webinar, How uPAR Data is Leading to Smarter Accommodation Decisions Across Districts.

Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) Corner


As you start to think about getting back into your classrooms and working with your students for the coming year, it’s a good idea to start the year off by thinking about what your communication goals are for your classroom. Is your classroom designed for communication at any time? Are your communication systems “within arms reach”? Do you know each child’s language development level? Do people who walk into your classroom know that communication is an important part of your students’ day? Make sure that communication is a priority for your students without ‘voices’ because we know that there is no teaching without communication.

Regional Assistive Technology Meetings


Michigan is divided into five Assistive Technology regions.  Most regions meet regularly to discuss issues pertaining to their profession and to further their professional learning.  To find out what region you are in, and who your Assistive Technology (AT) Contacts are for that region, visit the AT Contact List.

Region 1
No meetings scheduled at this time.

Region 1A
No meetings scheduled at this time.

Region 2
No meetings scheduled at this time.

Region 3
No meetings scheduled at this time.

Region 4
No meetings scheduled at this time.

Alt+Shift, encompassing Michigan's Integrated Mathematics Initiative, is an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Grant Funded Initiative out of the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education.

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