Webinars

I am pleased to offer a FREE introductory live interactive Webinar in honor of National Disability Awareness Month which is in October. Learn in the comfort of your home or office and save time and money searching for effective resources. Become empowered to take the lead with your own rehabilitation, remediation and program development efforts. This new series of 10 online interactive live training sessions during which I feature strategies and resources that my 24 years of experience in the field of speech-language pathology and assistive technology have shown to really work. I have selected what I perceive to be the software of greatest value and demonstrate and discuss how the technology and other resources can be used to help a wide variety of individuals with unique needs and goals. When used appropriately, the software programs, online sites and techniques which are demonstrated can help improve the quality of life for children and adults who struggle with communication, cognitive, learning and literacy disabilities. The sessions are ideal for education and rehabilitation professionals and graduate students as well as families who want to learn about cutting edge resources to help loved ones who are confronted with reading, writing, speaking, listening, and cognitive challenges. Questions and comments are encouraged during these live sessions with the use of text chat so that we can learn from each other. Participants may use either a PC or a Mac computer. No prior computer experience is needed. You will be able to view my desktop on your monitor and hear me as I discuss strategies and resources. Participants will need high speed Internet access. You can choose to use your telephone for audio (you may incur long distance charges) or download a small file to hear the audio thru your computer with VOIP. Additional setup details will be emailed to you after you register.

Session #1 An introduction to the many benefits of how technology can be used to improve talking, reading, writing, listening, thinking, learning and remembering.
$0.00
This 60 minutes session will include an introductory discussion of: the benefits of computer use, options for computer access, software and computer selection and setup considerations, and supportive research. I will demonstrate a few top picks for affordable text readers, online interactive programs, and drill and practice multi-sensory products. While showing you a variety of products and online resources, I will speak about how they can be used to improve communication, cognition and learning.

Session #2 The benefit of games and my top 10 picks to improve communication, cognition and literacy- Thursday, November 13, 2008 9:00-10:30 EST
$50.00
Traditional and computer based games and free online interactive websites are often treatment goldmines. They can be used creatively and effectively to help a wide range of children and adults with severe to mild deficits. This session will include a review of: goal areas that can be addressed with games and free online interactive activities, traditional games, resources for adapted games, new educational gaming technologies, mainstream gaming software, and my top 10 picks for free online interactive sites. 90 minute session

Session #3 New help and hope for adults with Aphasia
$50.00
It has been reported that more than 1 million people are living with aphasia in the U.S. Research has shown that computer use can help establish new connections in the brain, yet many stroke survivors and others with aphasia have never been exposed to many resources that may help them improve. The brain is capable of new learning, especially when properly stimulated intensively over a short period of time. When used correctly, the use of technology empowers clients and their families to continue with “therapy” after discharge from a formal program. It is imperative that people with aphasia and those who are their advocates be exposed to the many resources that can enhance the rehabilitation process. In this presentation, I will introduce you to a variety of technological solutions help individuals with aphasia maximize their verbal, auditory, reading, writing and executive skills. I will also present simplified email programs, software to help keep the brain sharp, long distance communication solutions, and the use of the computer to improve community access. This session is not intended for people with aphasia, but rather for their caregivers and the professionals who are providing help. Learn about customizable multi-sensory drill and practice software, text readers to help with reading comprehension, software to help with word prediction and word retrieval, adapted email, online information and support groups and other helpful resources to improve overall quality of life.

Session #6 Part 1 Treatment and technology to improve expressive communication
$5.00
A multimedia approach using sound, text, and pictures helps with the development and recovery of verbal communication. In this session, I will explore with you the use of technology to assist with improved talking as well as strategies for helping people who struggle to make themselves understood. Verbal expression deficits can be the result of motor, structural, and pragmatic impairments from injuries or disorders such as: stroke, head injury, aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, dementia, progressive neurologic disease, developmental delay, language and learning disabilities, foreign accents, learning English as a second language, hearing loss, autism, voice disorder or intubation. I will review software program characteristics for speech goals and provide an overview of assistive strategies and technology for basic verbal expressive needs. During this session I plan to provide examples of software that use features such as: close-up video of mouth movement, pictures with accompanying text and sounds of common words, pictures shown in natural settings, software targeting practice on specific speech sounds, software produced to increase the length of utterances and improved syntax, products with authoring capability, software with verbal expression tasks in the presence of cognitive challenges, text readers, dialogue tasks, visual or graphic feedback of speech and voice production and voice recognition.

Session # 6 Part 2 Treatment and technology to improve expressive communication
$50.00
There are many tools and resources that can be used to help improve verbal expression in addition to the wide variety of software presented in Part 1 of this session. I will discuss and present many types of devices and assistive communication tools and strategies that can be used to facilitate expressive communication such as: simple communication items with no voice output, voice output communication devices, communication software that can be used on an individual’s computer, devices and software that can clarify a person’s own speech, telephone, videophones, music and training of communication partners.

Session #7 Assisted living care facilities, Adult Day Care and Retirement Communities
$50.00
Computers can provide a source of enjoyment as well as help people in long-term living situations improve and maintain communication and cognition. Learn to develop a plan to integrate technology into your programs to improve residential quality of life. Areas of computer related interest may include: regular and simplified e-mail programs, word processing with accessibility options, text readers for improved reading comprehension and writing, mainstream software to help keep the brain sharp, specialized software to help improve communication or cognitive weaknesses, games for cognitive stimulation and enjoyment, videophones to stay in touch with family, the use of the Internet for research and shopping, digital greeting cards and web sites and listservs pertaining to particular hobbies and interests. We will review computer setup considerations and brainstorm solutions for providing support for residents in your facility.

Session #10 The Internet, online communication tools and Web 2.0
$50.00
The Internet is changing the way we interact with each other and free state-of-the-art technologies now offers rehabilitation and education professionals as well as people with communication and cognitive challenges and those who help them more effective ways to enhance their ability to function and facilitate success. Learn about adapted email, instant messaging, podcasts, RSS feeds, text messaging, videoweb, listservs. social networking sites, web browsers, online support and discussion groups and other collaborative and communication tools. I will present my top 10 picks for online technologies which can have a positive impact on the life of people with disabilities and those who help them.