6 + 1 Super Cool AT stories from 2016 ATIA conference

This year’s  Assistive Technology Industry Association’s conference in Orlando turned out to be a really exciting few days.  We got to attend sessions, meet with our manufacturing partners and prowl the massive exhibit hall hunting for cool stuff. This year, the weather was unseasonably hot outside (peaking at 27C.  Most years, the weather is more…

Sites Rich with Resources for Teaching Special Needs Math, Literacy

Alberta Education has launched two websites summarizing their initiatives for Literacy for All and Numeracy for all.

Equals + AB Teachers = Awesome Resource for Special Needs Math

As part of an ongoing initiative, Numeracy for All — A Community of Practice, Alberta teachers are sharing their experiences with the Equals math curriculum for students with significant disabilities on a publicly readable Wiki. http://abnumeracyforall.wikispaces.com/home (Last year we wrote about the sister wiki that described the Literacy for All project in Alberta.) In 2012 – 2013 Alberta Education, in collaboration with Central Alberta Regional…

2014 AT trends — AT and the mainstream tech

This is the third of three posts about trends we see effecting AT in the coming months written by Bogdan Pospielovsky,  Business Development Manager at Bridges. What trends have we missed?  Comment, rant, rave or write directly to Bogdan, bogdan@bridges-canada.com. The internet of things Smart, connected objects with wireless and mini computers on board have hit the…

New MEville to WEville Don Johnston Package

MEville to WEville has just been reintroduced as a complete in-the-box literacy solution for students with significant disabilities, and now there are two options to chose from;  one from Don Johnston and one from Ablenet. Both versions have the same proven research-based literacy curriculum for students with mild to severe cognitive and communication challenges, in a…

iOS 7 Switch Access — First Impressions

To much fanfare, iOS7 has added switch settings to its many other accessibility features.  Recently I had a chance to play around with the switch settings in iOS 7.  [to see the latest in accessories to help you with iPad switch users  — mounting, cases, storage, charging, and training — visit the Bridges’ iPad page]…

MEville to WEville Success Stories from Alberta

As part of an ongoing literacy initiative, Literacy for All — A Community of Practice, Alberta teachers are sharing their experiences with MEville to WEville on a publicly readable Wiki. “We learned that ALL students can learn literacy skills through comprehensive literacy instruction in inclusive classrooms when we use the right supports and modifications,” wrote one teacher. “The kids are really responding…

Equals Wins Association of Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award

We were excited to learn that AbleNet’s Equals Mathematics curriculum was named the winner of the AEP Distinguished Achievement Award in the Whole Curriculum Program subcategory of Special Education. (You can find a detailed press release here.)  AEP Awards honor excellence and innovation in the education community. It is the longest running and most highly regarded…

Sounding Board Communication App Now Free!

Ablenet’s SoundingBoard communications app is now free on iTunes.  Just search for SoundingBoard on the Canadian iTunes store. We’re not sure at this point how long this offer will last.  SoundingBoard will definitely be incorporated into our iStuff presentations led by Barb Welsford at the Bridges to Learning Conference. It is designed to work only with current…

Bridges LIVE! Newmarket

We’ve confirmed our next Bridges LIVE! event will be in Newmarket, Ontario.  Bridges LIVE! is an interactive, hands-on day of trying technology and curricula for students with special needs.  This year we’re focusing on tools for students with intellectual, physical and/or communication challenges who may be following modified or alternative curricula. Looks like there will…