Join us October 23rd at 4 pm EST for a new webinar!
Back to Basics: Cultivating an AT Mindset
Members Free Nonmembers $20
Click Here to Register
As new technology comes out at ever-increasing speeds, educators in the field of visual impairment
often feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. Assistive technology (AT) offers powerful solutions,
and yet practitioners may struggle to keep up with the sheer magnitude of possibilities. This presentation
offers an alternative perspective and approach to working with students and clients in AT.
Embracing an "AT Mindset" will support practitioners in meeting the challenges inherent in this work, and
modeling an AT Mindset for their students and clients. In addressing specific skills, this presentation
highlights the differences between tasks, tools, and features in the context of AT use. As practitioners
may struggle with where to start with AT evaluation and instruction, this presentation will focus on
drawing from connected concepts with an asset-based approach. Participants will be reminded that
many of the "basics," or fundamental skills, remain the same even as technological options continue to
grow and change.
With this focus on the fundamentals in mind, participants will be taken through a process of identifying
the tasks their students need to accomplish. Participants will practice using feature matching to
determine a range of appropriate tools for given tasks. Attention will also be given to embracing the
challenge of technology and identifying useful strategies including experiential learning and promoting
fluency in AT use. Finally, participants will walk away with resources to assist them in their work with
students and clients.
Learning Objectives
1. Participants will identify three differences between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset as an
approach to assistive technology.
2. Participants will provide three examples of assistive technology tools relevant to a given academic
or functional task.
3. Participants will access a minimum of two resources related to assistive technology.
Speakers:
Belinda Rudinger, EdD, TSVI, ATP, CATIS
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Cecilia Robinson, MEd, TSVI
Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Outreach Programs
1 ACVREP Credit Available
