Contact Us

UW Project ECHO

Wyoming Institute for Disabilities

Dept. 4298; 1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-2977

Toll Free: (888) 989-9463

TeleType: (800) 908-7011

Fax: (307) 766-2763

Email: projectecho@uwyo.edu






black ECHO logo
Find us on Facebook (Link opens a new window)Find us on Twitter (Link opens a new window)Find us on LinkedIn (Link opens a new window)Find us on YouTube (Link opens a new window)

Assistive Technology

Training and Best Practices header

UW ECHO in Assistive Technology provides training and the sharing of best practices for educators and service providers to consider, implement and evaluate the use of assistive technology to improve outcomes for students.

Network participants include users of assistive technology and their families, assistive technology professionals, specialists and teams, school administrators, general and special education teachers, paraeducators, case managers, school counselors, school psychologists, state agency staff, and special education service providers, including OTs, PTs, SLPs, etc.

UW ECHO in Assistive Technology is a collaboration with Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources.


Sessions

Sessions are on Thursdays, bi-weekly, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MT via Zoom video conferencing technology.


 Fall 2023 Session Topics

Fall sessions start September 7 and will feature a new series on assistive technology and recreation. Topics will include accessible trails, adaptations for visual impairments, hunting, and video game adaptations.

Register for the Fall 2023 Assistive Technology Series

Starting this fall 2023, most ECHO sessions will be held on the new iECHO content management platform. (Geriatrics and ECHO for Families/Familias will not be on the new iECHO.) There are a few new procedures. Registering for and joining sessions now require an iECHO account. You'll be prompted to create your account when you register the first time. Sessions will still occur via Zoom, but you will access the Zoom link through the iECHO platform.

The iECHO platform will allow you to:

  • Directly connect to Zoom to join a session

  • Access all session materials (also available in the Canvas course)

  • Register once for all sessions during the semester

A short training video is available on how to register in iECHO.

Zoom also provides access for users with physical disabilities, blindness, and low vision through a range of keyboard shortcuts.

Add the Fall 2023 Series to Your Calendar

September 7: Over the River and Through the Woods: Creating Accessible Outdoor Recreation

We will review current research about the benefits of outdoor recreation for people with disabilities as well as the challenges people face when trying to recreate. We will provide an overview of the partners that state AT programs collaborate with to ensure people with disabilities have access to the equipment, instruction, and opportunities to participate in outdoor recreation. Various AT that could help people with disabilities be more independent will be highlighted. The presentation will finish with a focus on two statewide adaptive recreation initiatives, one on adaptive cycling and one for accessible boating.

Presenter: Molly Kimmel, OTR/L, Director of MonTECH 

 

September 21: Accessibility in the Wyoming National Parks

With visitor levels rising every year to the National Parks, the Park Service has a long term plan to increase accessibility for everyone. Learn about our goals: 1. How do we create a welcoming environment for individuals with disabilities? 2. We need to make sure that every new activity, facility, or program has accessibility built into it from its creation. 3. How do we prioritize and upgrade exisiting acitivities, facilities, and programs?

Presenter: Jeremy Buzzell, Branch Chief for the Accessibility Management Program National Park Service

 

October 5: “I Can Play Too: Creating an Inclusive Environment for Blind and Low Vision Individuals to Participate in Sports and Leisure”

Appropriate access and involvement in physical, sports and leisure activities for those with blindness and visual impairments is critical to long-term health, development and meaningful inclusion. Find a meaningful way to allow them to show you “Yes I Can!”

Presenter: Jennifer D'Alessandro- Educational Consultant, Vision Outreach Services Special Education Unit

 

October 19: Wyoming Disabled Hunters

Overview of Wyoming Disabled Hunters program and various types of assistive technology for hunting.

Presenter: Bryce Fauskee, Vice President of the Wyoming Disabled Hunters Cody WY

 

November 2: Special Olympics Divisioning - More Fair and More Fun

Special Olympics sports competitions are based on the idea that athletes of all abilities should be given an equal chance of succeeding, whether it is a personal best or a gold medal. Special Olympics calls this competition-level matching “divisioning.”

Presenter: Sean Stake, Senior Manager, Coach and Resource Development, Special Olympics North America

 

November 16: Adapting Board Games for All

As the weather gets colder, it is time to find ways to have fun indoors- and what’s better than a classic board game? Join us during this session to learn about how board games and card games can be adapted in a variety of ways to be inclusive for all members of the family!

Presenter: Shelby Kappler, WATR AT Program Specialist

 

November 30: It's Game Time!: Accessibility for Gaming

Gaming as an occupation is growing ever more popular and has come a long way from the days of Pong and the Atari 2600. As the gaming industry has evolved and grown, so too does the need for more inclusive gaming opportunities. Whether you are a newbie or a major league gaming pro, a casual or hardcore gamer, join us as we dive into what accessible gaming looks like from the hardware and assistive technology that people game on to how games are designed. From this, you'll walk away with a foundation on how to help those interested in gaming more meaningfully participate in one of Nathan's most beloved hobbies.

Presenter: Nathaniel (Nathan) Baniqued OTD, OTR/L

 

December 14: Go Baby Go Wyo

Go Baby Go Wyo is a program that modifies off-the-shelf ride-on toy cars for kids with disabilities. This program serves children birth to 5 years old who have mobility impairments.

Presenter: Gina Ruiz, PT, CDC of Natrona County

 


Want to stay in the know about
new classes and more?

SIGN UP FOR OUR ECHO UPDATES NEWSLETTER >

 
 
 

Contact Us

UW Project ECHO

Wyoming Institute for Disabilities

Dept. 4298; 1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-2977

Toll Free: (888) 989-9463

TeleType: (800) 908-7011

Fax: (307) 766-2763

Email: projectecho@uwyo.edu






black ECHO logo
Find us on Facebook (Link opens a new window)Find us on Twitter (Link opens a new window)Find us on LinkedIn (Link opens a new window)Find us on YouTube (Link opens a new window)