by Samuel Sennott
There is much to say about the terrific time experienced at the ASHA Convention 2009 in Chicago this past week. It was terrific to be with friends in Chicago. From being picked up at the airport by a family who facilitated me coming to consult at her daughter’s school to stumbling upon the famous Gino’s and eating deep dish pizza with a friend, to walking Chicago, to the terrific people met at the convention, I enjoyed the experience thoroughly. All of the fun seemed to help the learning sink in deeper. Overall, I was very much impressed with the beauty of downtown Chicago. Plus for me as a house music fan it was a special experience to visit the place where the term house music was formed. Yet, before I get to the technical, here is a visual review of some of the experience.
ASHA
The Mass of ASHA
Meeting Schuyler @ ASHA
The Bean
Swirl @ the Bean
The Art Institute
Sun, Lion @ AI Chicago
Art Institute Chicago
Navy Pier
Chicago Skyline
Dancing
Chicago is One of the Cradles of House Music
Deep Dish Pizza @ Ginos
Gino
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by Samuel Sennott
Watch the video: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1185143625/bctid1418562363
Read the Article:
Late-game heroics for Lawson, Norwell
HANOVER – With 1:02 left in the game, Norwell boys’ basketball coach John Willis made the call. His team had a 66-49 lead against Hanover last night, and it was time for a sub.
Norwell guard Andrew Lawson (left), who has Down syndrome, gets some coaching advice from coach John Willis before going into the game against Hanover Thursday. by Samuel Sennott
Coming home last night to see the destruction that occurred while I was away in Chicago was pretty heavy. Definitely made me think about the preciousness of life and also the temporal nature of possession. I wrote this poem.
From ASHA to ashes From dark to night There are times when things are reset, realigned. Reminders of precious time is in the moment. Thank you that my family is safe. Thank you that only a section of the house is pared away. We do not know what will happen. We have the present. Thank you for it.by Samuel Sennott
Gayle Porter reported to me today that she has sent the US Letter of the PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display ) Templates to the publisher! They are taking advanced orders at the Spectronics website. http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/product.asp?product=27918 
To learn more about PODD, see Linda Burkhart and Gayle Porter’s terrific handouts on www.lindaburkhart.com
*NEW – Instructional Course – Presented at ISAAC in Germany – July 2006*
Partner-Assisted Communication Strategies for
Children Who Face Multiple Challenges
PODD Communication Books – Gayle Porter
Linda J. Burkhart and Gayle Porter
by Samuel Sennott
Switch-Adapted Flip….enough said….. other than thanks RJ Cooper….http://rjcooper.com/flip…and Santa’s job just got that much easier….
From RJ Cooper’s site:
Switch Adapted Flip Camcorder
(click pic for larger image)
This is a switch-adapted, simple camcorder. The Flip is quite popular on the current market. It is completely self-contained, with its own 2 GB flash memory (1 hour of video). Simple to operate, saves AVI files internally. Shows up as just another drive on your system, so that *any* software (like my Point to Pictures) can import directly from the Flip.
by Samuel Sennott
I have offered to post press releases from companies of whom products I appreciate. Crick Software just sent this release regarding WriteOnline. I tested WriteOnline and heard John and Anne Crick present on it @ Closing the Gap last month and this is by far the immediately available product I am most excited about in all of technology in education and communication! If you have not tried it, get yourself right to their 30 day trial. They just won an Java award from Sun for their work : http://www.cricksoft.com/uk/products/WriteOnline/awards.aspx.
Press Release
For more information:
Crick Software, Inc.
usinfo@cricksoft.com
203 221 2697
Crick Software adds more personalization to WriteOnline
WESTPORT, CT (October 10, 2008) WriteOnline, Crick Software’s new online word processor, can now be used by even more students thanks to the addition of more personalization and accessibility options.
Crick Software is well-known as the developer of Clicker, the writing tool for younger students that is now used extensively in elementary schools.. WriteOnline is rapidly becoming equally popular in middle and high schools.
“We designed WriteOnline for all students, from budding authors to those who really struggle with writing,” said CEO John Crick, “and we’re really excited that now even more students can reap the benefits.”
WriteOnline’s unique Wordbar® brings curriculum writing tasks within the reach of all learners by giving easy access to an unlimited number of words and phrases. It is here that Crick has added the on-screen keyboard, integrated into Wordbar so that it can easily be displayed with a single mouse click.
John Crick explains: “Students who struggle to use an ordinary keyboard often find an onscreen one a better alternative – it means they only have to look in one place while they are writing.”
For students unable to use a mouse or tracker ball, Crick has added switch accessibility, making WriteOnline a truly inclusive tool. Other new personalization options are included that will benefit all students.
All of WriteOnline’s support options, such as speech, word prediction, and the new accessibility features, are personalized for the individual, ensuring that just the right support can be provided The preferences are all saved online, so are they automatically applied whether the student logs in at school, home, or elsewhere.
by Samuel Sennott
Saturday…November 15, 2008….North Pomfret, Vermont….thinking….working…communicating
Vermont Mist
by Samuel Sennott
I had a cool experience today where I was chatting with a friend using GMAIL’s chat feature and then he pulled up a video chat. I had set it up the other day. I frequently use iChat and Skype, but the spontaneity of this struck me. My satellite connection here up here in the mountains of Vermont did not allow for us to stay connected by video for long, but it struck me how things really have changed. I sat an ate dinner tonight with a group and we spoke about how when some of them were growing up there were no cell phones, no personal computers in schools, and certainly no iPhones! Yet, I question the concept of digital imigrant as I have been skyping with my grandmother! 
Check out this partial list of popular online communication tools.
- www.skype.com Skype, the internet telephone
- www.aim.com AOL Instant Messenger
- http://mail.google.com and http://mail.google.com/videochat Google Mail and their new video chat!
- http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/ichat.html Apple’s iChat….(my personal favorite)
- www.facebook.com One of the big social networking applications
- www.myspace.com One of the big social networking applications
- www.ning.com You can create your own social network…see ours: assistivetech.ning.com
- www.twitter.com The most popular microblogging client.
by Samuel Sennott
The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress‘ Educators Forum held on November 7th, 2008 at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, was a terrific experience. I had the opportunity to lead a viewing and discussion of the film Including Samuel. Ironically the first group had about ten people and the second group, nearly eighty, a good percentage of the whole group. During the discussion, I took notes on the white board and this handout is generated from those conversations. I would love to hear any comments about customized workshop handouts or addendum to workshop sessions.
Download: Resources from the Including Samuel Discussions Handout
by Samuel Sennott
I have been offering various companies I am interested in the opportunity to send press releases for posting. Here is something I am looking forward to at ASHA.
PRC to Host Schuyler’s Monster Author Robert Rummel-Hudson
in Booth #1031 at 2008 ASHA Convention
100 Free Copies of Schuyler’s Monster, A Father’s Journey
With His Wordless Daughter Offered to ASHA Conference Attendees
Wooster, OH, November 17, 2008: Prentke Romich Company (PRC), the worldwide leader in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) language systems and technology, invites ASHA attendees to meet author Robert Rummel-Hudson in Booth #1031 on Friday, November 21, and to enter PRC’s drawing for a free copy of his 2008 book, Schuyler’s Monster, A Father’s Journey with His Wordless Daughter.
In the acclaimed memoir, Rummel-Hudson shares the story of his daughter Schuyler, now eight years old, who was born with a rare neurological brain disorder that prevents her from being able to speak. Using PRC’s Vantage™ Plus speech-output device, the high-spirited youngster is now able to communicate her thoughts and feelings at home and at school.
PRC will be giving away 100 copies of the best-selling book in a random drawing held Friday, November 21. ASHA attendees can enter the drawing by visiting PRC in Booth #1031 on Thursday, November 20, and completing an entry form. Rummel-Hudson will sign books on Friday between 10 am – noon and 3-5 pm. ASHA conference attendees can enter to receive a copy at the conference or are welcome to bring their own copy for the author to sign.
Visitors to the PRC booth also will see the newest of PRC’s AAC devices, Vantage™ Lite, a dedicated device designed for AAC beginners and those ready to advance toward fully independent augmented communication.
The second in PRC’s popular new line of “Lite” devices, Vantage Lite offers the same powerful language and communication features of PRC’s classic Vantage™ Plus but adds an array of hardware and software innovations, including:
• Compact case with built-in handle for greater portability;
• “High Brightness” display with LED backlight and wide viewing angle;
• Magnesium frame that prevents damage from bumps and drops;
• Bluetooth® connectivity for computer access and wireless access;
• Integrated Bluetooth® phone interface, a PRC exclusive.
Vantage Lite is one of six AAC devices available from PRC, all of which feature a proven language system called Unity® that enables children and adults with speech disorders to reach their full potential in spontaneous, independent, and interactive communication, regardless of their disability, literacy level, or motor skills.
About PRC
A 100% employee-owned company founded in 1966 and headquartered in Wooster, OH, PRC is a global leader in the development and manufacture of augmentative communication devices, computer access products, and other assistive technology for people with severe disabilities.
In addition to its powerful communication devices – ECO™-14, Vanguard™, Vantage™, SpringBoard™, and the new SpringBoard™ Lite and Vantage ™ Lite – PRC also provides a wide array of high-quality teaching and implementation tools, therapy materials, curriculum sequences, funding assistance, and training to speech-language pathologists, special educators, and the families of AAC communicators.
You can learn more about the book, Schuyler’s Monster, by visiting www.schuylersmonster.com. Learn more about the author by visiting his blog at www.schuylersmonsterblog.com.
For more information on PRC products and services, go to www.prentrom.com or call (800) 262-1984.
