Team of Advocates for Special Kids
Technology E-Newsletter

April 2013

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 Upcoming Assistive Technology Workshops

    

 

AT 101

Tues., April 23

9:00 am - 12:00 pm 

TASK

South Gate, CA

Please call (562) 529-5599 for more information. 

 

 

Reading and Writing Tips and Tricks (WEBINAR!)

Tues., April 30

ONLINE ONLY!

Please visit our webinars page for more information about this live, online training.

  

 

AT for Autism and Other Disabilities

Wed., May 15

9:30 am - 12:30 pm

TASK

South Gate, CA

Please call (562) 529-5599 for more information.

 

 

AT and Transition

Tues., May 21

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Area Board 11

Santa Ana, CA

Please call (714) 558-4404 for more information.

 

 

For more workshops, including our workshops on special education and parental rights and responsibilities under the law, please visit the full workshop schedule on the TASK website.

  

 

 TASK Membership 

 

 

Please consider joining TASK as a member! Members receive the following benefits: 

  • Free TECH Labs and access to our lending libraries
  • Bimonthly 28-page TASK newsletters 
  • Membership is tax-deductible

Membership is as low as $35.00 per year, per family. We need your support to continue to provide a central resource center for legal rights and responsibilities information and to continue providing TECH Center services.

 

You can join online; visit the Membership page on our website for more information.  

   

 

TASK Needs Board Members

 

 

Are you the parent of a child with special needs? Has TASK helped you in the past? Perhaps you are a professional that has worked with TASK advocates or attended one of our many workshops? TASK is currently recruiting members for our Board of Directors. Make a difference by helping to guide our organization into the future.  

 

Please note that board positions are on a volunteer basis.

 

Board members must be willing to participate in our monthly board meetings via toll-free conference call. Call Marta Anchondo, our Executive Director, at (714) 533-8275 for more information about this exciting opportunity or to request a board packet. 

Greetings!

 

Happy April, everyone! April is Autism Awareness Month. All month long, different vendors and developers are giving away free or deeply discounted apps, software and much more! Some of the specials are for one day only, some are for a week, and some are for the entire month. There are several sites that have been generously listing the free and discounted apps. I have been reposting them on TASK's Facebook page. Just in case you've missed them, here are some of the links that list the great giveaways:

  

 

 

 

Speaking of apps, I have come across some interesting app resources and articles lately that I wanted to make you aware of. Please click on the links below and they will take you to some wonderful articles on different apps.

 

 

 

 

 

More great online resources:  
  

 

 

  
Helpful hand-outs from Enabling Devices: Enabling Devices is a company dedicated to developing affordable learning and assistive devices to help people of all ages with disabling conditions. Founded by Steven E. Kanor, Ph.D. and originally known as Toys for Special Children, the company has been creating innovative communicators, toys and switches for the physically challenged for more than 35 years. TASK's TECH Center has many of their products. If you are interested in trying them out, let us know. In the meantime, here are some great free resources from their website:
  
  
Wonderful Free Webinar Resources through AbleNet University: You can choose to sign up for a live webinar or listen to archived recorded curriculum. Topics include communication, electronic aids for daily living, and switches and mounts, as well as academic curriculum.
 
Belkin Tablet Stand with Storage: Belkin has a wide variety of technology products. Here is one new stand that I think sounds interesting! Be sure to browse their site for more information and ideas. 
I mentioned in the last issue that I had been to the CSUN conference in late February and had planned on telling you about the new and exciting things I had seen there, but I have already shared most of them in the last few issues. Here is a quick recap with links for you to investigate if you are interested (and remember to visit the e-mail newsletter page on our website to read past issues):
 
  • Perrero: switch access to iDevices using voice-over

 

 

  • Attainment Company Apps: many of the wonderful software titles that we have been using for years, now available in app format

 

  • LogicKeyboard: LogicKeyboard is the only manufacturer of large-print keyboards and keyboard covers for the visually impaired Apple user. The keyboards are original Apple keyboards enhanced with high contrast, large letters. Three available color combinations allow the user to choose according to his or her vision needs. Also available is a full line of Windows keyboards in four color configurations. Newly added: keyboard LED lights that illuminate the keyboard for even better visibility.  

 

 

One last thing: we are THRILLED to announce that Ron Williams from the Opportunity Foundation of America will be here on May 16th to do assessments and demonstrations of their EagleEyes hardware system. For more information on our involvement with EagleEyes, please read this article from one of our past newsletters.

 

E-mail me at [email protected] if you are interested in an appointment with Ron, and I will try to accommodate you.  

I think that's enough for now, but if you have specific questions, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].  Happy APPing!

 

Laura Simmons-Martinez

Technology Project Director

Team of Advocates for Special Kids

TASK is a nonprofit Parent Training and Information Center that serves all ages and all disabilities. TASK is funded in part by grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the California Department of Education. The views expressed in this e-mail newsletter do not necessarily represent those of TASK, the U.S. Department of Education, the State of California or any other funding source, nor are they an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any bill before congress. Advertisements or refernces to trade names, commercial products or organizations do not constitute endorsement by any of the above.