The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2011 Webinar Series has added a new collection of live, interactive, online educational events. They cover a broad range of topics to help you enhance your knowledge of assistive technology and the skills needed to support the products and process.  ATIA has tapped into national leaders in their field to bring you this outstanding collection of webinars.  Upcoming webinars for JANUARY through JUNE - You can go to our website for complete session abstracts, learning outcomes, and speaker biographies: Don't miss our new "There's An App for That" Series with Dr. Therese Willkomm and Phyllis Watson who bring you in-depth discussions of the apps for selected functional areas.  Sign-up for all three at one time and receive a discount! AT11-WEB01:  Apps for the iPad, iTouch, & iPhone on Remembering, Prompting, Organizing, Assessing, and Increasing Productivity - REGISTER Thursday, January 13, 2011   1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time Overview:  Productivity at home, school and work is affected by how well we are organized and can remember essential tasks that need to be performed.  This webinar will demonstrate apps that can help with executive functioning such as reminders and prompts to completing essential tasks.  In addition, the webinar will also review various apps related to organization, time management, and online assessment tools.  - Full abstract AT11-WEB04:  Apps for the iPad, iTouch, & iPhone on Alternative and Augmentative Communication - REGISTER Thursday, February 17, 2011   1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time Overview:  There are over 30 different apps that can benefit individuals who experience various communication impairments.  This webinar will review 20 of the most successful apps for children and adults.  In addition, apps related to sign language will also be discussed. - Full abstract AT11-WEB08:  Apps for the iPad, iTouch, & iPhone on Reading, Writing and Arithmetic - REGISTER Wednesday, March 23, 2011   1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time Overview:   This webinar will demonstrate apps that can assist in reading using text to speech, narration, and audio books; apps that use voice recognition or text expanders to increase writing ability and speed; flash card apps and math tutorial apps; and apps that will quiz you. - Full abstract

Identifying High-Ability/High Potential Students What: A hands-on workshop on best practices in Identification for Gifted Education Programming for Administrators, School Psychologists and Gifted Education Coordinators. Participants will gain information about achievement and ability testing, observation tools, portfolios and using multiple criteria for identification. Opportunities for discussions to allow for adaptation of material for each school setting will be included. Featured Workshop Facilitator: Dr. Karen L. Westberg is a faculty member in the Gifted/Creative/Talented education program at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. She spent ten years as a faculty member at the University of Connecticut where she was a principal investigator at the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT) and taught coursework in gifted education and research methodology. She began her career as a classroom teacher and gifted education specialist in Minnesota schools. She has served on the Executive Committee of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and is a member of the Gifted Child Quarterly Editorial Board. Her research interests include classroom practices, gifted education identification, program development and differentiating instruction. When: Friday, January 21, 2011 Where: Montana State University-Billings Student Union Building Lewis/Clark Room 8:30 A.M. – 4 P.M.   Registration: There is no fee for the workshop, but registration is required. Lunch is provided and OPI renewal units will be available. For Registration Contact: Deb Poole, Gifted and Talented Specialist, at debpoole@mt.gov (406) 444-4317

Click here to download the full brochure with registration form (PDF) Region IV CSPD is pleased to offer a range of learning opportunities to assist teachers in making the curriculum more rigorous and relevant for students.  These workshops will assist teachers in the implementation of a Response to Intervention (RtI) Model in Middle and High Schools.  Workshops will help participants put a successful three-tier model into place at their schools.

Visit www.mtagate.org for more information Download 2011 Registration Form Download 2011 Application to Present Download 2011 Parent Fee Waiver Application What: 31st Annual Montana AGATE Spring Conference “Sharpening Minds with Gifted Education” When: Thursday, April 28 – Saturday, April 30, 2011 Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 Hwy. 93 South, Kalispell, Montana Call (406) 756-4500 to make hotel reservations. ** Ask for the AGATE rate! ** ** Please reserve hotel rooms by April 7 for best options! ** Questions? Contact Sandra at (406) 250-4730 or samconst@centurytel.net or Darci at (406) 360-7768 or agsnmt@msn.com

Mark your calendars to attend the Montana Conference for Exceptional Children Conference on April 13-15th in Billings, Montana. Scholarships are available for this event (see below). The Theme this year is: Special Education in the 21st Century: Tools for the Future If you are interested in presenting at this conference, visit http://www.mtcec.org/conference Click here to download the Scholarship Application (PDF) A limited number of scholarships are available on a first come, first serve basis for residents of Region IV consisting of the following counties:  Park, Gallatin, Meagher, Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Madison, Powell, Granite, Silverbow and Beaverhead Scholarships are available to use for registration costs up to $400.00 per school/organization. Scholarships will be awarded to teams attending one of the listed conferences. Teams should include a combination of personnel such as General Educators, Special Educators, Paraeducators, Administrators, Related Service Personnel, Parent, and/or Agency Personnel.  Each team must attach a narrative identifying the school/organization goals and a description of how attending the specified conference will help the team make systemic changes to the school/organization. CEC (Council for Exceptional Students) Conference in Billings, April 13-15, 2011 MBI (Montana Behavior Initiative) Summer Institute in Bozeman, June 20-24, 2011 MEI (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) Conference in Helena, June 14-16, 2011 MASP (Montana Association of School Psychologists) Summer Institute in Billings, June 12-14, 2011 Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.  If interested send this form with required narrative to: Denielle M. Miller, Coordinator Region IV CSPD 3929 Baxter Lane Bozeman, MT  59718.  Or email as an attachment to dmiller@bridgeband.com

Click here to register for this webinar Why Neurodiversity and Inclusion? A vital discussion about youth and adults living with autism, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), or related disabilities--particularly for direct support professionals, service providers, special educators, parents, advocates and self-advocates. What: Ari Ne'eman is the Founding President of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), a national advocacy organization run by and for Autistic adults and youth. Ne'eman was recently appointed by President Obama as the first Autistic person to serve on the National Council on Disability. This webinar will focus on the topic of "Neurodiversity and Inclusion", discussing the growing "neurological diversity" movement, its perspectives and relationship with the broader disability rights movement and its implications on inclusive educational practice. Topics covered will include: the impact of passing demands the appropriate and inappropriate identification of "problem behaviors" other aspects of neurodiversity's implications for inclusive education." When: January 7, 2011 11am-1pm MT

Creating a Sense of Urgency - Great Falls - Feb. 3, 2011 Click here to download the full brochure with registration form (PDF) When: February 3, 2010 Where: Hampton Inn Great Falls, MT What: This motivating keynote focuses on how we can adapt our educational system to a rapidly changing world. Participants will begin to look at education in a global context, how this view is imperative to raising student achievement, and why a sense of urgency must be created in order to engage all stakeholders. FREE TRAINING FOR: Elementary middle school and high school teachers special education teachers administrators paraprofessionals and parents.

Click here to download the full brochure with registration form (PDF) When: February 2, 2010 Where: Fifth Avenue Christian Church Havre, MT What: Educators everywhere can agree that students need to master a core body of personal skills and competencies thereby positively impacting their school and community, actively engaging in their education. Participants will learn strategies for moving schools from operating in a 20th Century paradigm to creating a model that reflects our dynamic 21st Century, interconnected world. FREE TRAINING FOR: Elementary middle school and high school teachers special education teachers administrators paraprofessionals and parents.

A support group for friends and family that care for seniors Topic: Group Share Time Where: Yellowstone County Council on Aging1505 Avenue D. Billings, MT When: 5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Caregivers of aged parents, spouses, relatives or friends Questions or to RSVP: Call Laura at the YCCOA - 406-259-5212

What: A seven-chapter, video intensive, parent training program designed by the Love and Logic® Institute, Inc. This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately! Answers to: “How do I get them out of bed in time to catch the school bus?” “How can I stop my children from bickering and fighting?” “How do I get my children to help with the chores without an argument?” “Is there a way to discipline my toddler in public without creating a scene?” “How can I get my teenage daughter to come home at the agreed-upon time?” And many other day-to-day parenting challenges… This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately! Dates: January & February Wednesdays (12th-23rd) Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (or as agreed by class) Local Phone: 939-5591 Location: Glendive - To Be Announced (Visit the MCYF Facebook group for updated information) Cost: $20 for book – scholarships available E-mail: mcyf@midrivers.com

Child care providers encounter unique challenges when implementing the ADA at their centers. The Rocky Mountain ADA Center has developed Child Care resources to assist providers with understanding rights and responsibilities under the law, as well as resources for parent’s rights.  Topics include service animals, medication administration, diapering policies, equal employment opportunities, accessibility and much more.  If you are a child care provider, contact the ADA Center at adainfo@adainformation.org or call (800) 949-4232, for a free packet of information, which includes a refrigerator-sized magnetic erase board and pen.  Check out the Child Care and the ADA website !  http://www.adainformation.org/ChildCare.aspx

The Office of Public Instruction has posted links to current Section 504 guidance on our Website.  This guidance is from the Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE)  and the Office of Civil Rights. The links are available on the Special Education Webpage (http://opi.mt.gov/Programs/SpecialEd/Index.html) under "RELATED LINKS" and include: Guidelines for Educators and Administrators for Implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973-Subpart D A Parent and Educator Guide To Section 504 Accommodations for Identified Children With Disabilities Section 504 Procedural Requirements for School Districts; and Section 504 A Possible Service Option for Students with Disabilities Section 504 requirements are separate from special education.  This guidance is provided as a courtesy.

Click here to register for this webinar What: This webinar will discuss how to use Acrylic, Stratcore, Astrowhite, Loc-Line, Loc-Lift RG, Dual Loc, CPVC, Green Wire, Flag pole Holders, Model Magic, VHB tape and Epoxy Putty to create hundreds of  solutions in 5 minutes or less.  Participants will learn techniques in scoring, snapping, deburring, heating and bending acrylic.  In addition participants will learn creative techniques for working with PVC and CPVC.  When: Thursday, December 16th, 2010 11:00am -12:00pm Mountain Cost: Free for Lekotek Affiliates $30 General Public (per person) $200 for groups over 10 people

Save the date for the annual OPI Indian Education for All Best Practices conference on February 7-8, 2011.  This year's event will be held in Helena at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel.  Registration information will be available on the OPI website soon. For more information, contact Teresa Veltkamp, 406-444-0726

The 2011 OPI Assessment Conference "On the Horizon" is scheduled for January 20-21, 2011 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.  The keynote speaker on Thursday morning will be Paul Andersen. Paul is a science teacher and technology specialist at Bozeman High School and the 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year. Presentations on assessment and data topics as well as training for the 2011 MontCAS CRT test administration will be available.  For more information and to register for the conference, visit http://www.opi.mt.gov/curriculum/MontCAS/#p7GPc1_5 For more information, contact Judy Snow, 406-444-3656

Register for this webinar When: Wednesday, January 26 at 1:00 p.m. Mountain This web tour will include information about: The National Inclusive Education Initiative's web-based professional development offerings  The Institute on Disability's Facebook community of practice The Including Samuel website  I am Norm youth empowerment initiative and website Inclusive education bookstore/resources

The Instructional Innovations Unit is excited to provide an incredible online resource for all Montana educators. This professional development data base within the OPI website contains hundreds of video clips, lessons, and resources that can be downloaded onto your computer and iPod.  This resource is a direct result of the Montana Reading First project.  However, it also contains content for teachers Pre-K through high school.  Knowing that statewide professional development is extremely difficult because of the rural nature of our state, the Montana Reading First project director, Debbie Hunsaker, planned and initiated this resource called ‘Knowledge Box’. Throughout the implementation of the Reading First project, national and local presenters were filmed and the content was edited into short video clips, resources, and lessons. To access this resource go to the OPI website www.opi.mt.gov and click on Instructional Innovations under Programs. http://opi.mt.gov/Streamer/Instructional_Innovations/index.php#gpm1_5 For more information, contact BJ Granbery, 444-4420

HHS has developed a new series of brochures to help Americans understand the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and how it is improving consumer protections, lowering costs and increasing coverage. You can find the overview brochure at http://www.healthcare.gov/center/brochures/for_you.pdf HHS also is developing brochures for specific audiences which HHS will continue to produce. These can be downloaded at www.HealthCare.gov/center/brochures/index.html . There is lots of disability information in general at these links as well as in some of the brochures. Keep checking for more specific information as more brochures are developed.

VSA, renowned artist Simon Mckeown, and 17 countries around the world are celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with screenings of the groundbreaking video installation Motion Disabled to raise awareness of disability rights. Mckeown uses motion capture, a technique used in feature films and video games, and 3D animation to explore digitally the movements of 15 people with disabilities performing activities from kickboxing to riding a bicycle. This mesmerizing installation challenges conventional ideas of motion. Watch the video online or find a screening near you. The 650 million people worldwide who live with disabilities deserve inclusion and access to equal opportunities. Because disability knows no borders.

In an effort to keep you more informed, the White House will begin hosting monthly calls to update you on various disability issues, as well as to introduce you to persons who work on disability issues in the federal government.  The first call will be this Friday, December 3, at 9:00 AM Mountain.  The conference call information is below: Dial in: (800) 230-1092 Title: Disability Call (use instead of code) Date of Call: 12/03/10 Start Time: 9:00 AM Mountain For live captioning, at time of call, log onto: http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1663465&CustomerID=321