AT Teams Training

In 2020, the AEM Clearinghouse conducted a needs assessment to determine how school districts statewide were utilizing accessible educational materials and assistive technology for their students with disabilities. Results varied widely, indicating a need for additional training on AEM and AT. One area of particular interest was each school district’s process for assessing a student’s need for assistive technology, obtaining devices, and implementing them in the classroom. We found that many districts struggled in this area, having no formal process or relying on individual educators to make decisions without adequate experience.  As a result, we created the Wyoming Assistive Technology Teams Development Project in an effort to help school districts build a functional AT Team and operating guidelines related to AT assessment in their district.

The AT Teams Project is designed to take place over the duration of the school year, broken into three units. Unit 1 (summer) is a two-day, intensive workshop in Laramie where teams have the opportunity to meet one another, become familiar with WIND and WATR, and lay critical groundwork for the project. Unit 2 (fall) covers topics related to conducting an AT assessment, and Unit 3 (spring) discusses implementation strategies.

As teams work through the course, they will be developing or revising a document outlining their district or region's procedures for conducting an AT assessment. This will be a living document throughout the course, and after each module, teams will be expected to apply what they have learned by making edits as necessary to their document. By the end of Unit 2, teams should have a rough draft or outline. Teams will continue making changes during the third unit as we learn important implementation strategies. At the end of Unit 3, teams should have a final draft. Between the end of Unit 3 and the end of the school year, the draft should be complete and receive approval from any necessary administration.

Through completion of this project, teams should be able to work cohesively to identify students who may benefit from AT, assess AT options and effectiveness, train students and staff on the use of AT, write AT and goals into the IEP or 504, and help students learn to advocate for themselves and their AT as they transition. Resources and handouts are provided throughout the course, and teams have many opportunities through quizzes, assignments, case studies, and discussions to check their knowledge and collaborate. WIND and WATR staff check in with teams regularly, and are always available to answer questions.

School Districts That Participated

2021-22

Crook #1

Lincoln #2

Park #1

Sweetwater #2

Teton #1

Uinta #1

2022-23

Converse #2

Fremont #6

Fremont #25

Sweetwater #1

2023-24

Carbon#1

map showing at teams counties in Wyoming

 

AEM Trainings

Presenter: Shelby Kappler, Assistive Technology Program Specialist and AEM Project Coordinator
The Wyoming Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Clearinghouse training series explained how to ensure your classroom is as accessible as possible, from Universal Design for Learning to creating accessible documents and inclusive project-based learning!
View recorded sessions below:

  • Oct. 29: Intro to Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
  • Nov. 12: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Importance of Access for All Student
  • Nov. 19: Creating Accessible Documents and Presentations 
  • Dec. 3: Ensuring Teacher-Made Materials are Accessible
  • Dec. 10: Accessibility in Project-Based Learning

PowerPoints Used in Sessions:

  • Oct. 29: Intro to Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
  • Nov. 12: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Importance of Access for All Student
  • Nov. 19: Creating Accessible Documents and Presentations
  • Dec. 3: Ensuring Teacher-Made Materials are Accessible
  • Dec. 10: Accessibility in Project-Based Learning

If you have any questions, please contact the training instructor and AEM Project Coordinator Shelby Kappler at skapple1@uwyo.edu.

Recorded Presentation

Presenter: Shelby Kappler, Assistive Technology Program Specialist and AEM Project Coordinator
You've heard the term "Accessible Educational Materials" or seen the acronym "AEM", but what exactly are accessible materials? Which students need them, and are you required to provide them? Learn the basics of AEM.

Recorded Presentation

Presenter: Shelby Kappler, Assistive Technology Program Specialist and AEM Project Coordinator
After you've learned the basics of AEM, it's time to put it into practice! You will learn about several tools and strategies you can start using now to determine what AEM might be best for your students. Learn how to write AEM into an IEP, how to implement the AEM, and how to maintain success as your students grow.

Recorded Presentation

Presenter: Rachel Kruzel, ATP, Higher Education Specialist
Equatio allows students to read and write digital math equations in an accessible format.

Recorded Presentation

Presenter: Adele Smolansky, Founder and CEO
AI Learners is a platform that can be used to help students with disabilities learn. AI Learners uses games and analytics to help kids engage with math.

Recorded Presentation

Presenter: Leslie Weilbacher, Outreach N.W. Region APH
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Solutions for Science. In this session, explore APH products that support students who are blind or visually impaired to fully access science class. A focus on earth science, chemistry, and biology followed by an overview of other products for a wide grade and topic range, with time for questions.

Recorded Presentation

Transcripts

Presenter: Shelby Kappler, Assistive Technology Specialist
The universal Protocol for Accommodations in Reading (uPAR) tool can help determine the best alternate formats for your struggling readers. See how the uPAR aids educators in choosing appropriate reading accommodations, and tracks reading progress over time. In addition, the Wyoming AEM Clearinghouse has uPAR seats available to Wyoming educators to try for free!

AEM for Math and Science PowerPoint

AEM for Math and Science Transcripts

AEM for Math and Science Recorded Presentation

Presenters:
Shelby Kappler, Assistive Technology Specialist, Wyoming AEM Clearinghouse and Michael Graham, Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Student
Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) supports the success of students with print disabilities. These are students who might experience visual impairments, physical impairments, or reading disabilities. Sometimes the solutions are straightforward, but in certain areas, such as math and science, the situation can be more complex. One example of this is the conversion of a complex math equation into an audio format.
View the recorded presentation and learn about strategies to help K-12 students with print disabilities succeed in math and science. Topics will include accessible teaching strategies, easy lab accommodations, talking calculators that provide haptic feedback, and tactile DNA models.

AEM for Extended Standards PowerPoint

AEM for Extended Standards Transcripts

AEM for Extended Standards Recorded Presentation

Presenters:
Shelby Kappler, Assistive Technology Specialist, Wyoming AEM Clearinghouse and Michael Graham, Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Student
The Extended Standards were created by the Wyoming State Board of Education to "allow students with the most significant cognitive disabilities to achieve high academic expectations and to access the general academic curriculum."
View the recorded presentation to learn how Accessible Educational Materials can help K-12 students working toward Extended Standards. This training will highlight frameworks for assessing need as well as evaluative strategies to see if accessible materials and tools are working.