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What are some platforms you use to build your Professional Learning Network (PLN)?

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How do you approach the three phases of your PLN?

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Share questions / comments / thoughts after reviewing the recorded learning module

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Explore the built in accessibility features of your device and report back. What type of device? What did you explore? How could you use this to support a person with a disability?

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Share questions / comments / thoughts after reviewing the recorded learning module

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Download the Dolphin Easy Reader app (iOS / Android) and explore features while accessing digital text. Share your observations below - how it works, who might use this tool, pros/cons, etc

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Technical Information & More

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Free accessible reading app for iOS & Android. Designed for readers with dyslexia, low vision, blindness & other visual impairments.

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What app do you use to create digital copies of print materials?

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What app do you use to create digital copies of print materials?

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Share the name of the app, what is works on (iOS/Android), and provide the link so we can check it out!

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Explore Otter.ai for meeting recording / transcript. Report back on the features of this service and how you could use this to support individuals

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Otter.ai - AI Meeting Note Taker & Real-time AI Transcription

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Otter.ai uses an AI Meeting Assistant to transcribe meetings in real time, record audio, capture slides, extract action items, and generate an AI meeting summary.

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Share questions / comments / thoughts after reviewing the recorded learning module

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I am building my network as I go along.   As I meet new people.  They could be people that I meet through work,  they may be personal friends,  They may be acquaintances that I have known for a long time, or professional people  through different organizations such as  the  National Federation of  the Blind  and  the  New England Assistive Technology Center,

I have several types of networks

1.     Assistive Technology

2.    I am a Choices Counselor

3.    I am also an information and referral Specialist.

4.    Any other disability related group.

5.    And general interest group.  Hobbies, Things that I am interested in.

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How do you approach the three phases of your Professional Learning Network (PLN) building,

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How do you approach the three phases of your Professional Learning Network (PLN) building,

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1.    Building the network.

I use different websites I follow groups on Facebook and Twitter.  I have different groups of  different disabilities,  I  have  a  network of  people  that  I have worked  with and  for.

2.    How do you take the information you gather and manage it?

I make lists I make word files with different resources and links.

I also have   bookmarks with resources  that  I know  I will  use.

3.    How do you contribute information?  I contribute   information when I  am  asked  by a  colleague,  I  also answer questions that  people  post  in  a  group  on Facebook.  I also have people that I know that will ask me questions about assistive technology.  I work as  an Independent Living advocate,  I often  get  calls  from  people that are looking  for  answers  on assistive technology and  almost  anything  else.  That is  why it  is  important  to build  a  great network of  people  that  can answer help you by answering questions that  you  do not  know  the  answer  to.

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Using just the words on this board:

Could you actively participate in your virtual meetings? What is missing from this?

What barriers would you face related to communication?

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Explore the list of AAC apps on the Google Site.
Report back on features of apps. Ease of Use? Options for symbols / words? Organization of Language?

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Share questions / comments / thoughts after reviewing the recorded learning module

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Look at the built in apps that came with your phone. Share an example how an app could support your EF

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Create your own activity using the apps listed on the Google Site. Create a social story, visual schedule or anything else you might use to support EF

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Share questions / comments / thoughts after reviewing the recorded learning module

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Share your thoughts about the Merge Cube. Think about this as a future of AT service. How could we use VR, AR and MR to support people with disabilities?

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Visit the If This Than That website and explore the automation options available to connect services together. Make an account and activate an IFTT. Report back on the experience and talk about how we could use this site to support people with disabilities.

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ifttt applets connect connections integrate integration automate automation services recipes trigger action ifthisthenthat free

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Get started with IFTTT, the easiest way to automate your favorite apps and devices for free. Make your home more relaxing. Make your work more productive. We...

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Share questions / comments / thoughts after reviewing the recorded learning module

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I did not have to download this software because I already had it on my IPhone. I use it to access books on Bookshare and NFB newsline. I also have one of the premium voices. It is a great product and it does a great job for people that are print disabled. (people that are Blind or people or Dyslexic). Eventhough it is a great product I prefer VoiceDream reader because the voice is a little better. I do like the interface with newsline better using Easyreader. I sometimes use either Easyreader of VoiceDream reader to read PDF documents. This product replaces much more expensive products like OpenBook which is almost 1000.00. This has always worked for me when I had to make something accessible to me. As someone with a visual Disability. This product helped me a lot.

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I use several accessibility features on my Iphone. I used Assistive Touch on my Ipod Touch when the buttom stopped working. I also use dictation quire a bit when I am sending a text message, or when I am in a chat program. I have gone into the accessibility section on my IPhone to make things more accessible. I make the font a little easier to see. I also use motion, and voices to read back to me what I type.

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When I need to make Digital Coppies of Print meterial I use OpenBook on my windows PC. I use OneStep Reader It used to be called NFB Reader to make print material accessible. I also use Voice Dream Scanner. This software and IOS apps makes. print material accessibility for me, I use seaing AI. To read a menues on a wall or print meterial thais hard for me to see.

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The Platforms I use to build my PLN are:
- FaceBook - I'm a member of specific AT groups, which include AT users, therapists, vendors, and ATPs.
- QIAT list serve - I read through the emails daily, sometimes I throw in my own two cents, and often I save the emails for later reference
- I created a Linkedin account so I can expand that way
- I keep in touch with vendors (e.g. TobiiDynavox, PRC) and have reached out to other vendors (e.g., TextHelp, ReadSpeaker)
- Local AT lending library - I have networked with them
- Regional Special Education Service Center is also a part of my PLN
- Webinars, CEUs, etc. - I'm always searching out ways to further my knowledge
- Inclusive 365 - my bible!

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I use many social networking platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest. I belong to the AT groups and Physical Therapy groups.
I am on the QIAT list server and I scan through the emails to see what is appropriate for me. I have many groups that I receive emails from.
I have attended Closing the Gap, ITSE and the ATIA conferences.
I have also attended many online conferences both paid and free during COVID when they were virtual.
I listen to numerous blogs.
I am currently on the AEM pilot program team for Hancock County in WV, along with the Educational Technology team in our school.

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I build my network through following people  that are sharing information that interests me ant that I can use personally and professionally. I look at their profiles to see if we have similar interests professionally. I follow hashtags on Twitter and I follow people that are associated in groups on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest.
I also search topics within these groups that may lead me to build my PLN

I gather information by having word documents with information and links on them to websites. I have different folders in my work and my personal emails that I keep emails in different categories.  I bookmark and add websites to my favorites.

I contribute by sharing everything that can be useful to my Special Education Director, my colleagues and my students. I share information with our AEM and ET teams in our county. I will answer questions on the list servers and social networking, however; I feel that I could do better with this.

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1. Build My Network - I sorta use the SETT framework for this (Hehe). I constantly reevaluate who is my network based on what I need to professionally grow and be a part of my AT and therapy community. For growth I've got a list of areas that need development so I search out people and groups to help me with that. I applied for a mentor through the Joy Zabala Fellowship as well.
2. Take information and gather it - I'd love to know how others do this. I use Google Keep, Google Drive, and save emails from listservs into various digital files (either Drive or Pages on my phone). I bookmark websites as well.
3. Contribute information - I'm active in facebooks groups for therapists and AT users both national and local. If it's an area that I feel my 2 cents could be valuable I will comment on the QIAT listserve. I've given 3 CEUs and presented nationally in the area of AAC.
3.

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I would love to hear our other people develop their PLN, what resources you use, and how you organize your info

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Since we are a Microsoft 365 school, I have learned to stick with the Microsoft tools for work.  Our technology director is completely against using any Google chrome extensions or apps because the county pays for Microsoft for all of our students. We are not allowed to download anything Google related.  We did just get one to one iPads in our county during COVID so we have had the ability to use features within the iPads for some of our students.  I like the guided access feature for our Autistic children that like to get out of the screen that they are supposed to be on. Within the iPads we use our Microsoft web office tools. Therefore, we can open word, one note etc.. and use the immersive reader tool which is great.  I have used read aloud in the web browser. We have changed the font and font size on the iPads.  I feel that I need to explore Assistive touch tool more with the iPad and our students. Some of our speech pathologists use Alexa with their speech students. We are also excited for the new Reading Progress and Reading Coach that is coming soon to Microsoft.  I have used the closed captioning on Teams. With all of that being said, I do have a personal laptop and I will be diving into some of the Google features that I learned in the module.

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I have been in charge of helping with Bookshare in our county for about 6 years. It is easier to get students an account now because the qualifying professionals in the schools can determine eligibility for Bookshare. We started with the read2go app and then went to the Voice Dream reader app. The Voice Dream reader app has increased in price. We then went to Dolphin Easy Reader because it is a free app. There is an Easy Reader Premium app out now that I have not tried. The biggest problem that we have is the sign on issues with the Wifi in the schools if a student gets logged out. We have an organizational account and I have assigned hundreds of books to students. The middle school students really enjoy Bookshare. We are starting to get more 3rd and 4th graders involved.

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Creating digital copies of print materials

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Creating digital copies of print materials

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Office Lens is one of our biggest tools that we use being a Microsoft school. Some teachers like the Snaptype Pro app for their students. Most of the Snaptype Pro users are middle school age. I have also used prizmo in the past.

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I loved Otter.ai! This is the first that I heard of this. I can not wait to take it back to my Special Education Director. I recorded myself and messed with it and then I recorded some of the module and I can not believe how accurate it was. I can see where this would be very beneficial for students with dyslexia, processing disorders and ADHD. I liked how you could highlight and comment. Very impressed by Otter. ai.

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For one, I do not know how to use LAMP fluently. It would be difficult for me to learn a new system that fast if I were to attend a meeting. I do not feel that I would be a le to have a meaningful conversation due to the lack of vocabulary. Could I type on it? Do the words go in to other boards with more words on them? Could I program with familiar words that I may use in the meeting? I think that I would be frustrated.

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I'm using the accesibility feature for an Iphone. I explored the under Physical and motor: voice control and Hearing: sound recognition. Voice control allowed me to utilize my phone completely hands free. It contained many preset voice commands and also allowed me to add custom commands. The sound recognition was really cool. The phone listens for a variety of sounds (according to what you choose) and will alert you with a notification when that sounds occurs. For example; I selected door knock and cough and baby crying (all relevant to my daily life). When the phone heard the sound I was immediately prompted.
Voice control is a great solution for those with limited motor skills. It allows full use of the phone without any contact at all and the setup was relatively simple.
Sound recognition is an excellent option for the deaf or hard of hearing. It would allow this person to move through their day with ease especially where their regular assistive tech is not readily available. For example; if visiting a friend's house.

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I am  the secretary for a  committee that  I am  on for  my job.  I had  the chance  to use Otter AI.  It  did  a  really good job taking the  meeting notes. I am really  impressed how good  this  app worked.  I wish this  was available  when I was  in school.   I used  the  trial version.  I  would  consider paying  for  it.    I will  continue  to try  other note taking  apps  because I am always  trying  to improve  my note taking  abilities.   This will benefit people with disabilities. who find it hard to take notes.

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I am most familiar with Proloquo2go and LAMP as those are the two that we mostly use in our county. I am familiar with PECS. I have also seen Go Talk, Verbally, Sounding Board and Visuals2Go. I honestly feel that the AAC apps are so specific to the child's needs. Every child is so different in their cognitive abilities, gross and fine motor, availability, teacher involvement etc.. I work closely with our speech pathologists on this one as it is not my specialty. I do try to incorporate my gross motor and my treatment plan n with using the communication apps/boards. I feel this is very important. We do collaborative groups with OT, PT and speech in our self contained classes a couple times a month. We also use Unique Learning and it has picture symbols built in to the curriculum that we use both as print and on the iPad.

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I use my reminder app all of the time. This helps me tremendously as it will continue to come up on my phone until I do the task. I use notes a lot. I share notes with my family. I have everything in my calendar with reminders set before the event. I travel to numerous schools in my county and with IEP season coming up my calendar is looking a little crazy! I also use my clock app for alarms, timers and stopwatch.

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I use Apple and Google products the most, but I do support a system that uses Office 365. For iOS: Guided Access, Assistive Touch, Gestures, Live Text, Spoken Content, and Switch Control seem to be the ones most commonly used. I also love the Back Tap accessibility function. For myself, I actually routinely use Live Text, Spoken Content, and Back Tap (for my camera). I find TTS helps my own attention and focus.

For Microsoft Word and One Note, I love the built in TTS and STT and the immersive reader.

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I can't wait to set up Group Tabs on my Chrome browser! I always have tons of tabs open and continuously move them around to group them

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I find  this extremely dificult to use. that type of AAC Device.  It  would be very dificullt for  me  to participate in a meeting  with  this AAC device.
The Barrier  that I have that  would prevent me  from using this is that I have  a visual disability and I just can not see the  pictures.  I also find Emojis be be very dificult for  me  to read on my phone.     I worked as a recreation therapist. The Resident used a word board. It was not easy to communicate with him, but with Patience on both of our part we were ablet communicate we were able to communicate.

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The Merge cube is something that can be used for learning. It is similar to qr cde. You can use to help with learning. I cut out tjhe cube and I downloded the app on from the apple store. as I turned the cube different. different articles appeared. This was a great way for people to get information. I think people will not have to buy ctual text book in the future. They will be able to have the books on their phone.

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I visited the IFTTT website. This is a great way to connect services that may be hard for people with disabilities to use like email, There is someone who I am helping use email. If he could use this website to connect his email to his google home this will help him to be able to use email without a computer or tablet. This is something that he is not able to do right now. It is also a wy to automate your home with this website we are able to connect different apps and services so they worke seamlessly together. Ten years ago something like this would cost thousands of dollars. now ti costs a few hundred.

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I use the Notes quie a bit. I often use it to write down a password then I cut and past it. I also use notes to write down the name and numbers to keep them a little more private . I also use the the dictation feature quite a bit when sending short messages. I often use the camera to take picture of hard to see labels. I had to get the model number off the back of my computer and the inside of my refrigerator so I could read off the customer service on the phone.

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-social networking via twitter, FB, and Pinterest
-part of the QIAT list serve
-attend a variety of AT conferences
-attend many webinars as COVID has definitely afforded me the opportunity to expand beyond my county and state without traveling
-participating in a monthly book study/class at the county level with other AT professionals
-participating in a monthly lunch and learn zoom with the county and other AT professionals

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My phone is a Pixel.
-the calendar keeps me up to date for meetings
-Evernote helps me with to-do lists
-apps/extensions such as Otter.ai assist with scripts in meetings to help reconcile info I might have missed
-the clock, timer, and alarms are great to set reminders

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This app is a great back up support when in meetings and workshops.  I appreciate how quickly the transcript is completed. This could be helpful for a student that needs support in keeping up with note-taking but it has to be a student that can go back and review the transcript. Sometimes the app is incorrect with what they transcribe.

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-calendar keeps me up to date on meetings and important tasks
-Evernote helps with tasks and notes
-clock/alarm can assist with alerts to meetings or tasks

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It took me a few tries to figure out how to access Bookshare within the Dolphin App, but once I did it was easy sailing. The app is easy to navigate and has a wide range of books. As for accessibility it does the job it is meant to do. I like the features where you are able to speed up or slow down the reading speed, and/or change the voice settings. The guided reading is also extremely helpful, when following along the text. My one hang up is the voice sounds so robotic, and I wonder if this might deter someone from wanting to listen to the book fully. I plan to use this app for my daughter who has a learning disability and I worry the unnatural sounding voice may fail to capture her attention. Otherwise this is a great tool to have.

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My go to is Adobe Acrobat, but if I were someone who needed to use this program with the accessibility feature I just wouldn't. The setup is not simple, there are a lot of step you have to go through. And even though I wen through the steps I was still unable to figure out how to use the feature. I think the accessibility feature was designed as an an after thought in this program.

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Looking at the picture is overwhelming, but even if that wasn't the case there are not enough words to have a meaningful conversation in a virtual meeting. Also the words presented do not have anything to do with a meeting context. This would not be beneficial if there is a need to contribute to the conversation.

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Calendar reminders and scheduling help me with my ef daily. This is something I have learned to do as I struggle with it daily. I'm also sure to use notes often and I keep my notifications on for certain apps. One of my children struggles to remember routine tasks so I have an alarm set for those tasks coupled with speaking the reminder.

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We tried an interactive cube for feelings in the school system at one time. I cannot remember which one it was, but I felt it was a little too involved for the group we tried it with. I feel that the merge cube was a great tool for someone that can hold it and move it the way that it is intended to be used. I do feel that there would have to be accommodations put in place for our students with disabilities. You have to keep it in direct range of the camera and move it accordingly for the actual cube and it may be difficult for some students to do that to get the full effect of the cube. The camera part of the app without the cube was easier to use than holding the cube itself. Is there something that can hold the cube for you, and you turn it with a modified switch? Can the wording and information be enlarged? Can the background and be changed at all for students with low vision? I was looking at this cube as an adult without a disability. I am not sure how easily it could be utilized with an adult or child with a disability.

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I have some secondary students I support who attend classical academies. Project Gutenberg is a great resource for them because the books they read are often not found in sources like Learning Ally and Bookshare. As for Dolphin Easy Reader, I like how simple it is to use and that is has options to customize it. Most of the schools I support do not have a lot of funds so a decent tool that is free is phenomenal.

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I reviewed IFTTT and looked at how it is used. I feel that it could be beneficial for people with disabilities depending on how they want to use it. A combination of the apps could be very beneficial in helping people with disabilities overcome day to day barriers and make things easier on them. I assume when you got more familiar with how it works, it would be easier to create the recipes to their particular needs. With that being said, I do not know how safe it is to use IFTTT with some of the information that you have to provide. Can you be hacked easily? Would it become more of a hinderance for people with disabilities if they have their identity stolen. That is my concern. I would really like to see people with disabilities use IFTTT to get a better picture of how it works and how they feel about it.

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I use Microsoft Lens and Live Text

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I learned about Otter.ai a few months back and was so excited. It's a great tool in the tool box!

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Google Keep is my jam! I was so glad to hear you talk about it. I use it personally and at work. I color code mine as a way to triage importance. I use it to set reminders and for those reminders to pop up when I get to the place I need to remember that information (e.g., when I walk into the super market my grocery list pops up). OneNote is fabulous too. I love how Lens connects to it.

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- Notes app - I use it to make notes, scan docs, etc. I'll share my notes with people as well.

- Files - I create subfolders and save docs in there

- Alarm - I will set different alarms and label what they're for

- Calendar - I color code activities, set reminders, and share my calendar

Although it doesn't come as an app with an iPhone, my main organization is Google Keep. I have a color coded system. Often use the checkboxes for a to-do list. I also use the alarm function and set the place I want my list to pop up (e.g., grocery store)