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Click here to register for this event What: The M-Enabling Summit, Global Summit and Showcase for Mobile Applications and Services for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities, is the first global program solely dedicated to participants in the emerging ecosystem for mobile accessible and assistive technologies, applications and services. Unlike any other conference or exposition, the M-Enabling Summit brings together all facets of the industry. Key stakeholders from across the globe that develop, market, create policy, and deploy the initiatives that are setting new frontiers for Mobile Accessible and Assistive Solutions will be in attendance. Participants at M-Enabling Summit will be able to: Network and exchange ideas with peers and experts from industry, service providers, and organizations of seniors and persons with disabilities Learn about the latest developments, innovations, market drivers and emerging opportunities Share perspectives with global policy makers and regulators See the latest products, services and applications in a showcase featuring companies and organizations driving innovation with accessible and assistive mobile technologies solutions Gain new insights from case studies by service providers, and public and private sector organizations experienced in marketing and services for seniors and persons with disabilities Who Should Attend: Mobile service providers Accessibility experts Organizations of seniors and persons with disabilities Application developers Telecom regulators Emergency response officials IT professionals Corporations using mobile communications with their customers Federal agencies and local government Academia and research centers When: December 5-6, 2011 Where: The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center Washington, D.C.

Click here to register for this webinar -- $39 What: Navigating the web of acronyms surrounding Accessible Instructional Materials can be confusing and frustrating.  NIMAC, NIMAS, Chaffee, 504, 508, etc: What do they all mean?  As educators, we have an obligation to provide equally effective access to the general curriculum for our students with disabilities.  How do we make sense of all this to get access to what our students need? This workshop will provide participants with a clear path of navigation through the maze of AIM and the related terminology.   When: Thursday, December 1, 2011 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time Presenters: Jan McSorley, Assistive Technology Specialist, Austin Independent School District Carye Edelman, Assistive Technology Specialist, Austin Independent School District Piret Sari-Tate, Assistive Technology Specialist, Austin Independent School District Full Abstract – Including speaker biography and learning points

Click here for more information! or here to go straight to registration!What:This past summer, the Multi-Tiered System of Supports Project at the University of South Florida (funded by the FLDOE) implemented the Technology & Learning Connections: AT & UDL Team. Consisting of a team coordinator, five regional technology coordinators, and five AT/UDL resource librarians, the TCL Team is responsible for the development of an MTSS Framework for technology that includes accessible instructional materials, assistive technology, instructional technology, UDL, and virtual instruction/assessment. This presentation will share our work to date.When:Thursday, February 9, 20121:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mountain TimeContact:Assistive Technology Industry AssociationToll-Free: 877-OUR-ATIA (687-2842) Phone: 312-321-5172 Fax: 312-673-6659 E-mail: info@ATIA.org

The field of accessible technology has changed enormously in the last 30 years. Yet, people with disabilities and those that work with them still struggle to identify the appropriate technologies that will improve their lives, or the lives of family members, employees, or clients. The ATC will meet this need by providing up-to-date information online, where it is accessible to everyone. Check out our website at: www.atcoalition.org

The Accessible Technology Coalition (ATC) is a new resource on assistive technology (AT). Our goal is to make access to AT easy and available to everyone. You can browse the categories on this page to get information - and if you don't find what you need, you can Ask an Expert for assistance. We also offer webinars and in person trainings on various AT topics.

The longer there is a strong distinction between general and special education, the worse it is for students who are labeled with a disability. It perpetuates the language of us and them. These two worlds need to meet and the sooner they meet, the better. I will try to make it as simple as possible. In my opinion, there are the three things that need to happen in order for our schools to become better for all learners. Back to top Making things better for all 1) Acceptance – Create environments of acceptance in the classroom. We may not all be the same, but we are all deserving of understanding and acknowledgement of our strengths. 2) Access – A curriculum that is accessible to all learners! Modifications, accommodations and assessment are the key components to giving our students with special needs access to the general curriculum. 3) High Expectations – Never assume that what we are teaching is going over our students’ heads. This sells us (as educators) and them (as learners) short. We must always presume competence of our students and give them the support that they need in order to be successful. Oh…and I forgot about the wildcard: Technology! Assistive technology is often the missing piece to getting a reliable communication system for our students; not to mention accessing the curriculum by moving beyond paper and pencil work. The farther technology advances, the more access our students will be able to have.

"I was lucky to have been born in the computer age. Without them, my life would have been miserable and my scientific career impossible," – the dramatic words of Professor Stephen Hawking expressed at last year's Technology4Good awards. But Hawking is not alone in his sentiment. My career path also bears testimony to the enormous changes that technology has wrought over the past 20 years. It is not an exaggeration to say that the future is here at last, bringing with it enormous potential to improve the lives of disabled people in infinite ways.

Click here to access the webinar!What:Many people do not realize that assistive technology is a continuum of devices and tools, from low-tech to high-tech. However, everyone agrees that the right assistive technology tools can provide a person with a disability the opportunity for increased independence and access to their community. This presentation will focus on low-tech and free tools that are available for older students and adults with developmental disabilities. This presentation will provide the attendees with resources and ideas for 50 free or low-cost assistive technology tools they can implement quickly. The areas of focus are: scheduling, communication, cooking, accessibility to the computer and the internet, and tools for fun.When:Thursday, December 8, 2011 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM MounainContact:Rosemarie PunzalanPhone: 916-325-1690 ext. 343Email: rosemarie@cfilc.org

Go to http://www.geneticalliance.org/webinars to register now! What: The interest and use of health information technology (HIT) has greatly proliferated over the past decade, largely due to the increased focus the Federal Government has given to components of HIT, including electronic health records (EHRs), personal health records (PHRs), clinical decision support systems, and functionalities such as electronic prescribing and electronic lab ordering and results. However, for communities that are located in rural or underserved areas, the use of financial incentives will not be enough to implement an EHR. This “digital divide” has been a source of concern for both policymakers and consumer advocates. This presentation will focus on the origins of the digital divide and discuss access to and effective use of technology. When: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 10:00am - 11:00 a.m. Mountain Presenter: Jason C. Goldwater – Health IT Project Manager, NORD

The National Braille Press has released iOS Success: Making the iPad Accessible to help students who are blind to maximize their use of the popular Apple tablet that's playing an increasing role in education The book, NBP's sixth guide to iOS devices, provides step-by-step instructions for iPad setup (including all accessibility features), using VoiceOver and Zoom, connecting to external devices such as braille displays, find and download apps, and use services such as Dropbox. NBP has done a remarkable job enabling persons who are blind or visually impaired to orient themselves on and learn to use iOS devices -- keeping them current and on the same page as their sighted classmates.