Assistive Tech & AAC Advocacy
Please read the directions carefully as this is a two-part assignment. For the first part you must create an interview the school district for reference is in Miami-Dade County. This is due within 28 hours.
Part 1:
The use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) allows students with moderate to severe disabilities to communicate with others regardless of their condition. Technology provides students with the tools necessary to meet their educational needs, as well as a way to connect with those around them. Understanding how AAC works best for each age group or disability can help an educator make the best decisions for students. Allocate at least 1.5 hour in the field to complete this assignment.
In person, or via phone or internet-based communication such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype but not email, interview two individuals involved in the learning of students with moderate to severe disabilities. The interviewees can include special education teachers, special education directors, parents/families of special education students, or technology personnel at the district or state level that work with special education. Discuss the individual’s training and experience with students who use augmentative communication tools. Take notes, as these interviews will be submitted as part of the assignment deliverable. In your interviews, discuss the following:
· The individual’s experience working with students with moderate to severe disabilities, including the prevalence of various types of disabilities they have encountered in their work.
Assistive Tech & AAC Advocacy
· At least one assistive technology (AT) and one augmentative communication (AC) tool that could be used to assist students with moderate to severe disabilities with their communication needs.
· How, specifically, would this individual advocate for and support future use of both AT and AAC for students who require assistive technology and augmentative communication.
After your interviews, write a 250-500 word reflection in which you discuss what you have learned from the interactions. Describe how you plan to advocate for the use of assistive technology and augmentative communication tools to support instruction and learning in your future professional practice.
Submit your interview notes and reflection to the learning management system
Part 2: (For this please look at the attached document entitled “Sally Case Study “ ) Background to information to use about myself is that I am a Secondary Teacher within Miami-Dade I am family oriented etc…
Teachers of students with moderate to severe disabilities need to be able to identify the unique needs of their students and the best strategies for promoting their success in the classroom setting. These teachers should also strive for positive, open, and regular communication with their students’ families, which will allow them to collaborate in advocating for the students to achieve their fullest potential.
Assistive Tech & AAC Advocacy
For this assignment, using the “Sally Case Study,” write a 500-750 word letter to the student’s family in which you do the following:
· Identify six unique needs of the student in the case study.
· For each unique need, identify one strategy (instructional, positioning, communication, etc.) you or other teachers can use to support student success in the classroom setting.
· To promote self-advocacy, identify three ways the student can use assistive technology to create a digital presentation about herself to contribute during their IEP process.
· Identify three community resources, conferences, learning opportunities, or organizations the student’s family could use when advocating for and seeking assistance in meeting their child’s educational needs.
· Conclude by explaining how you will follow-up with the parents/guardians about their child’s progress in the classroom throughout the year and about upcoming community events.
Your letter should have an introduction to your family including personal information about yourself, professional information, and the reason for the letter. Conclude the letter with your contact information and times you can be reached.
Support your letter with at least two scholarly resources.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide
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What are the experiences of professionals working with students with moderate to severe disabilities?,
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,What assistive technology (AT) and augmentative communication (AAC) tools do they recommend?,
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How do these professionals advocate for the continued use of AT and AAC?,
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What did you learn from interviewing them, and how will you apply it in your future practice?,
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What are the six unique needs of Sally, and how can each be addressed?