MADSEC Directors Academy

UDL and Assistive Technology
Resources for Directors

Maine AEM & Maine CITE Training Archives for MADSEC Directors

Use the links in the title of each recent webinar to view more information and the recordings…

Unified English Braille (UEB) and the Maine State Plan – The United States began implementation of UEB on January 4, 2016. This webinar will give a brief overview of what the Unified English Braille code is and the implications for school districts in Maine. We will review the Maine State Plan and how it is similar or dissimilar to other states around the country. We will discuss resources and do our best to answer any questions you may have around this topic.

Bookshare: A Free and Easy Solution for Students with Reading Barriers – Do you work with students who experience barriers to reading printed text, such as visual impairments and dyslexia? In this free webinar, learn about Bookshare, an online library of accessible e-books for people with print disabilities.

Learn About the Talking Books Program – In this free webinar, learn about the Talking Book Program available through the Maine State Library. The Talking Book Program is administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) and provides free library services for eligible patrons, including download of digital books, and free matter mailings.

AT and AIM/AEM For On-Demand Access to Reading Materials – Students with print disabilities are frequently disadvantaged when curriculum materials are not provided in a format they can access and use. A student with dyslexia may require curriculum materials in an audio format, while a student with low vision may need materials in Large Print, and a student with a physical disability may need their materials in a digital text format. In many classrooms, teachers are using handouts, web-based content and other digital instructional materials – on demand that have not been converted into alternate formats. In this one-hour webinar we will discuss Assistive Technology (AT) tools that can be used to convert curriculum materials for on-demand accessibility.

AIM/AEM, AT and the IEP – This one-hour webinar reviews the current state of Accessible Instructional Materials and Accessible Educational Materials, the use of Assistive Technology and how this all fits within Maine’s IEP.

AIM and Transition: What VR Counselors Need to Know – Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselors play an important role in guiding students/clients with a goal of greater postsecondary success. In this webinar, VR Counselors learn about the needs of students with print disabilities and the resources available in Maine.

Accessible Digital Documents – In this 90-minute webinar, the issues and methods related to the creation of accessible digital documents were discussed. Procedures for assessing content for accessibility and team work-flows that can ensure your digital content successfully meets accessibility standards were examined.

Steps to Providing AIM for Students with Disabilities – Maine’s IEP form has included the term “Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)” since August of 2014. What are AIM and how does an educational team determine if a student needs AIM? This webinar provides an overview of the steps that a school team can take to ensure that AIM are appropriately considered in IEP meetings and other settings.

AIM for Learners with Dyslexia – Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) are curriculum materials in formats that are usable by students who have difficulty reading standard print, such as textbooks and paper handouts. For students with dyslexia, the AIM formats of digital text and audio can enable access to classroom learning, at the same time that specialized instruction and interventions improve reading skills. In this webinar, the role of AIM in supporting students with dyslexia is examined.

Everyday Assistive Technology for People with Serious Mental Illness – People with serious mental illness often experience difficulties comprehending, processing new information and acting appropriately. Common issue include difficulty with attention, concentration, memory, and the ability to plan activities.

Assistive Technology and Supporting Successful Transition – This was a special event for Vocational Rehabilitation counselors in Maine. Recorded: 11/09/2016 – Transition from high school to college is a significant and critical time in a student’s life and educational career. This informative session will inform participants of process, strategies, technology and resources to help ensure that the transition is a successful one!