Training

At the T/TAC at VCU we strive to meet your AT needs by providing a variety of opportunities for you to learn about Assistive Technology so that you can better assist your students.

Our Tech Tuesdays Series

For those wanting a smaller venue, we sponsor Tech Tuesdays which are trainings at our T/TAC office on specific topics or software such as “Click and Go: Cheap and Easy Software for the General Education classroom”, or “How Suite It Is!” which focused on Classroom Suite from Intellitools, or “AAC 4 All,” light and high tech for augmentative and alternative communication. Some other trainings included “Text to Speech Computer Software” and “Show me the money: Funding opportunities for AT”. Keep checking this web site for updated information about Tech Tuesdays at the VCU T/TAC.

AT Tutorials Online

If you prefer to work on your own, you can check out the “How to. . .” tutorials or the materials that we have in our AT Lab.

AT Instructional Videos

You can also view videos in which two practitioners demonstrate how they use Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices such as the Go Talk, Big Mack and Step by Step. These videos are available at our Lending Library. See below for more information.

Lending Libraries

Our check out procedures are easy. Lending libraries are located in the Region 1 and Region 8 offices and offer a wide variety of materials available for a six-week lending period*. These materials include assistive technology, augmentative communication devices, software, books, videotapes, assessment instruments, curricula and more!

Our libraries are open Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Please stop by or schedule an appointment to tour and get acquainted with our materials. If you are too far away and cannot visit during working hours we can mail most items to you free-of-charge*. Just search our library database (click on the link) and call the library in your region to request a checkout.

*Please read our library policies and procedures for more specific details.

AT/IT Lab

If you want to visit the Assistive Technology/Technology Preview Lab you will find an array of no tech to light tech to high tech resources. You can follow this link to learn more about these resources.

TechKnowledgy

TechKnowledgy is our yearly AT conference in which national and internationally recognized practitioners share best practices and state-of–the–art applications in assistive technology. Vendors also show the latest products in AT. This conference is designed for general and special educators, related services personnel, assistive technology teams, instructional technology specialists, administrators, family members and others interested in helping students with disabilities achieve success!

This conference is collaboratively sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Centers at Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University and in conjunction with the Hospital Education Program at Children’s Hospital in Richmond, VA. Fiscal support is provided by the Virginia Department of Education.

2011's Virtual TechKnowledgy Conference can be viewed at the following site:
http://www.ttaconline.org/atsdp/  

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

The Assistive Technology State-Directed Project

Check out more resources at the State level here.