AT at the State Level
In addition to what the VCU T/TAC offers, there are several opportunities in this region and across the Commonwealth for AT professional development.
T/TAC Online is a web-based community linking people and resources to help children and youth with disabilities. T/TAC Online is available to teachers, parents and professionals who can utilize the services through the convenience of a person computer. Currently, the knowledge areas are categorized as VA Assessments, SOL Enhanced Plus, Resources, Events and Online Training. All of these information services and online training opportunities are available 24/7 via the internet. The self-paced Online Training includes workshops on assistive technology. A few examples of the trainings include:
- A Few Good Words: Using core vocabulary to support nonverbal students
- Defining Assistive Technology
- Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Adapt and Create E-books
- Home made Switches
VSTE, the Virginia Society for Technology in Education, virtually supports a community of those passionate about Technology's role in Education. Each year the group holds a conference which showcases the latest in technology for education.
The Educational Technology Leadership Conference, ED TECH LEADERSHIP, is supported by the Virginia Department of Education and is designed to provide a forum for individuals who are responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of educational media and technology programs, such as coordinators of instructional technology, library media, distance learning, instructional television, and those involved with instructional computing applications. An AT strand is part of this conference.
With a similar name the ED TECH annual two-day conference is hosted by the Educational Services staff of the Community Idea Stations in Virginia The conference highlights the wealth of technology available to educators from grades K-12. Attendees are offered an opportunity to network and share ideas on technology application and integration for classroom use in hands-on workshops and sessions.
