Date: Friday, July 19, 2013
Category: General

In response to requests from assistive technology professionals working in the classroom, RESNA has scheduled an upcoming webinar series on iPad use, and is offering a new two-day, in-person course, “Fundamentals of Assistive Technology in Special Education.”  Although special education is a new and emerging area for RESNA’s continuing education program, the annual RESNA conference has featured workshops in this area for years, and there’s a growing body of RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professionals (ATP) working in school and classroom settings. 

All RESNA webinar topics are currently offered as a three-part series to provide greater depth and substance for professionals working in the field. Individuals may sign up for the entire series or individual sessions.  The three-part iPad webinar series is taught by James Stachowiak, MSE, ATP, the Associate Director of the Iowa Center for Assistive Technology and Research (ICATER) in the College of Education at the University of Iowa, where he works to educate students studying to become teachers on the use of assistive technology in the classroom. The topics are:

• September 10: iPad apps for Transitioning from K-12 to a Postsecondary Settings
• October 22: Assistive Technology iPad Apps for the K-12 Teacher
• December 3: iPad Accessibility

“iPads are quickly becoming standard technology in the classroom,” said Stachowiak. “iPads have educational implications for all students, but for many students with disabilities, they can also help limit the stigma associated with assistive technology.”  All webinars are offered from 3 to 4pm ET, and the cost is $28 for RESNA members, $40 for non-members. RESNA is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1CEU for each webinar. 

RESNA will offer a new, in-person, two-day course “Fundamentals of Assistive Technology in Special Education” on October 24 & 25 in Orlando, FL at the Hilton Garden Inn at SeaWorld.  This new course builds off of RESNA’s popular flagship course “Fundamentals in Assistive Technology” with new sections devoted to addressing the assistive technology team’s role in assessment and implementation, including the elements of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).  The course will identify assistive technology tools and strategies for use in the classroom, and provide ways to handle the issue of abandonment. 

The presenter is Susan Zapf, PhD, OTR, BCP, ATP, an occupational therapist and assistive technology professional with 17 years of experience working with the pediatric population in both the school setting and private practice. The cost is $350 for RESNA members, $465 for non-members.  RESNA is authorized by IACET to provide 1.4 CEUs for this course. 

For more information, visit the RESNA web site's professional development section.