Copy
March 2023 - Volume 67
Subscribe to this newsletter.
View this email in your browser
Connect Connect
Tweet Tweet
Watch Watch
Learn Learn

In this issue:

Rihanna's ASL interpreter goes VIRAL during Super Bowl performance. 

Registration Open: Alt+Shift Systems Symposium


Registration is now open for the Alt+Shift Systems Symposium.
 
Implementing and sustaining large scale, system-wide change efforts is difficult. The Alt+Shift Systems Symposium is a two-day event focused on examining and improving your systems to assist in navigating this difficult terrain.
 
Intermediate school district (ISD) teams comprised of diverse perspectives, inclusive of at least one administrator and others critical to the change effort (i.e. coaches, consultants, supervisors, etc.), are invited to participate.
 
Teams should be:
  • Leading, about to lead, or thinking about leading a large scale change effort.
  • Interested in learning about a systemic approach to implementing change.
  • Willing to learn, share, and be candid in the presence of other ISD teams.
Teams will:
  • Know what makes a problem complex.
  • Know what makes an approach systemic.
  • Observe complex problems through a systemic lens.
  • Utilize tools to navigate a complex problem they are currently confronted with.
Event information
  • Dates - June 20 and 21, 2023
  • Location - Hagerty Center in Traverse City
  • Cost - $50/person for teams of up to five people; $35/person for teams of six or more people; room block information will be provided on the registration form.
  • Online Registration (info.altshift.education/SystemsSymposium2023)
Questions? Email Kate Fanelli at: kate.fanelli@altshift.education

Accessible Materials Made Right (AMMR)


Evaluating apps for accessibility is a continuous process as new apps are created, discovered, and updated. When apps are accessible through so many platforms (website, Android, and iOS for example) with varying device capabilities, they have untold combinations of features and interactions that can complicate accessibility.

The Perkins School for the Blind shares an excellent summary of accessibility issues encountered by young users of educational apps titled How to Check for App Accessibility. The article specifically looks at testing an app for accessibility in iOS, but the issues they explore are true across platforms.

Reminder! The facilitated synchronous AMMR EduPaths series begins this afternoon. While the series is launching today, participants are welcome to join at any point. Please check the AMMR Training Series flyer for more information and to register.

Assistive Technology (AT)


As you know, assistive technology supports individuals with disabilities to improve, increase, or maintain functional skills. In school, these skills may seem more academic or social in nature, while AT can be useful in home, work, and community settings as well. As spring approaches, the countdown is on for many students. How can we support these learners with the time they have left this school year? What skills are important for individuals to have and what conversations should take place to ensure a smoother transition from school to other environments?
 
The University of Colorado’s Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering’s presentation entitled Preparing for Assistive Technology Beyond High School may be a helpful resource when thinking about what competencies and skills learners need before they complete schooling and how AT will play a role after they complete their educational programming.
 
The Michigan AT Cohort’s next meeting will be talking more about how to support transition-aged students and what training, access, and conversations need to take place before these students exit their educational programming. If you’re interested in joining the conversation on March 3 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. with the AT Cohort, please email Carolyn O’Hearn at carolyn.ohearn@altshift.education for a calendar invite.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Including Building Blocks to Autonomous Communication and Comprehensive Literacy for Autonomous Communication

For our AAC users, the path to autonomous communication is through literacy. If you work with AAC users and have not (yet) explored the work of doctors Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver, we wanted to share some resources to help you get started. If you're familiar with their work and these resources, we challenge you to consider how you might share these resources with others in an effort to spread awareness and change.
  • Erickson and Koppenhaver's book, Comprehensive Literacy for All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write. The text offers detailed descriptions of each of the instructional strategies as well as student examples.
  • The Comprehensive Literacy for All Facebook Group offers ongoing virtual book studies based on the text. This group offers a platform to connect with others, ask questions, and share resources.
  • The Alt+Shift: AAC Pathway on EduPaths offers three modules that focus specifically on comprehensive literacy - Developing Literate AAC Users, Implementing Emergent Literacy Instruction, and Implementing Conventional Literacy Instruction.
  • Tar Heel Shared Reader professional development modules (including facilitator guides), materials, and technology that support the implementation of shared reading.
  • Project Core focuses on how to get started with emergent literacy instruction and includes professional development modules (including facilitator guides), instructional supports, and access to core vocabulary.
  • Building Bridges: ELA focuses on bridging the gap between emergent and conventional literacy. Check this site often as it's being added to and updated.
  • Dynamic Learning Maps offers professional development modules (including facilitator guides), instructional supports, exemplar texts, and writing and communication supports.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can bring comprehensive literacy instruction to your ISD through an Alt+Shift partnership, please reach out to sara.pericolosi@altshift.education.

Foundations of Math


Kevin Dykema, a Michigan math teacher and current president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, recently wrote Sticks, Stones, and Labels, a message for the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics about the use of labels when referring to students and the connection these labels have to our personal beliefs about what students are capable of learning.  While I think of myself as someone who believes that all students can learn, I realized that Kevin isn’t talking to “other people,” he is talking to me. Admittedly, this acknowledgement initially made me a little uncomfortable. However, I have decided to embrace my personal philosophy that discomfort is an opportunity for growth. In response to Kevin’s challenge, I am intentionally thinking about the words I use when talking about students with disabilities and really examining my thoughts and beliefs and how they have influenced my actions. I hope that you will take a few minutes to read Kevin’s full message and join me in reflecting on how you might be using labels, as well as your personal thoughts and beliefs, and how they influence the type of math education your students receive.

Perspective


*Perspective is written by David Shachar-Hill. David is a Michigan State University graduate in the area of social science. Prior to that, he attended Okemos Public Schools. So far he has lived in six cities. Even though he is an adult, he still enjoys building Legos in his spare time.


College entrance exams can be a valuable tool for guiding students in their continuing education. For example, the ACT or SAT may benefit prospective students as a tool for college selection. I narrowed down the colleges I applied to based on my ACT score and in fact, my score helped increase the attractiveness of my application.
 
It’s been a long time since I took the ACT in 2009 and for me it was very challenging. I  think that it was helpful for my overall educational goals and I do not regret taking it. Here are some of the strategies I used that others may find useful.
 
As a student with disabilities, I have had stamina issues for many years and I needed to take the ACT with accommodations, one of which was being given extended time in order to show my academic potential. While my tendency would have been to push through the lengthy exam, it became necessary to take short breaks and have snacks.
 
I also needed to practice specific test-taking skills and learn new strategies. For example, part of my preparation included soliciting help from others to support me in simulating a similar test environment including accommodations, such as having a scribe for the writing portion of the exam. Unlike other assignments or tests I had taken, I was now required to spell each word.
 
During my practice sessions, I realized that this presented a major distraction to my writing flow.  This required a whole new test-taking strategy! I learned to dictate whole ideas first, only then returning to the job of spelling each word…a process not at all natural for me but one I learned was helpful during my practice sessions. Of course, everyone's challenges are different, so individuals’ strategies need to be tailored to their particular strengths, challenges, and potential testing accommodations.
 
A central goal of a K-12 education is to prepare students for college, trade schools, and ultimately successful careers. Standardized test scores can show colleges, students, and their families if students are prepared for that next step, if the next step is college.

Upcoming Events: Michigan


Accessible Materials Made Right facilitated Zoom series
Five dates between March 1 and May 31, 2023
Online - register for any or all of the sessions
 
Michigan Reading Association 67th Annual Conference
March 17-20, 2023
Grand Rapids, MI
 
Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Conference
March 15-17, 2023
Detroit, MI
 
Michigan's - Speech - Language - Hearing Association Conference
March 23-25, 2023
Radisson Plaza Hotel
Kalamazoo, MI
 
22nd Annual START Conference
May 1, 2023
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
East Lansing, MI
 
2023 MiAEYC Annual Early Childhood Conference
Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children
April 20-22, 2023
Grand Rapids, MI
 
Alt+Shift Systems Symposium
June 20-21, 2023
Traverse City, MI

Upcoming Events: National


Teaching Movements for Communication with Claire Cotter, Gayle Porter, & Linda Burkhart
June 19-23, 2023
Chicago, IL
 
Advanced PODD Training with Gayle Porter & Linda Burkhart
June 26-30, 2023
Chicago, IL
 
American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA): Schools Connect
July 13–15, 2023 | Long Beach, CA
July 26–August 7, 2023 | Online Conference
 
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Conference
July 24-26, 2023
New Orleans, LA

Lending Library Update

There are 113 items out on loan. 

Don't Forget!


We continue to offer 3D printed keyguards at no cost to Michigan public schools.
Request a Keyguard

Featured Item

The Blueline Bluetooth Joystick allows direct wireless connection to any computer or tablet that has built-in Bluetooth. Ideal for connection to iPad or iPhone using iOS Assistive Touch to give precise cursor movement without the need for fine motor skills.

Resource


DeafBlind Central (DB Central) partnered with Central Michigan University’s (CMU) CHARGE Syndrome Research lab to provide literacy videos and lesson plans for students who are deaf, blind, or deafblind. Story Time with DB Central has 30 videos of beloved picture books in their catalog. Each title has a video reading of the book with ASL interpreting, corresponding vocabulary videos, and experience boxes that can be checked out from DB Central. Experience boxes include a copy of the picture book with Braille along with tangible objects that assist with comprehension of the concepts covered in the book. If you have questions, email DB Central at dbcen@cmich.edu for more information.

Connect to Other MDE OSE Grant Funded Initiatives


Michigan Alliance for Families

Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF)

Subscribe to the newsletter to stay up-to-date on events and special education news.


 

Michigan Department of Education Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO)

Sign up for email notifications and the newsletter from MDE-LIO.
Michigan Multi-Tiered System of Support Technical Assistance Center

Michigan's Multi-Tiered System of Support Technical Assistance Center (MiMTSS TAC)

Visit the MiMTSS TAC website and look under “Announcements” for updates and events.

 Special education mediation services

Visit the SEMS website for updates and information.

Statewide Autism Resources and Training

Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START)

Subscribe to “START Connecting,” a monthly email with an article and information about START’s project activities, events, and resources.

Request Technical Assistance


If you have any questions about our offerings or resources, request technical assistance and someone from our staff will follow up with you.


Subscribe to this newsletter.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

 

Alt+Shift is an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Grant Funded Initiative out of the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education.
Twitter
Website