Training & Workshops
Husson College and the Technical Exploration Center Present
L.A.T.S. - A.D. CERTIFICATE
Local Assistive Technology Specialist Certificate for Providers of Services to Adults with Disabilities
Location:
Husson College, Bangor, Maine
Time:
August 18-22, 2008, 8:30 - 4:00 p.m., plus after hours evening get-togethers.
Pay:
$895 per person for course registration and materials, computer lab access, refreshment breaks, Certificate of Attendance. Continuing Education Units (CEU's) available at cost. (Graduate Credit pending).
Curriculum:
The Local Assistive Technology Specialist (L.A.T.S. – A.D.) Certificate is a cost-effective, hands-on, professional development program that will help you achieve the content and competencies necessary to provide appropriate Assistive Technology Services to individual adults with disabilities. The training, materials and follow-up activities emphasize Principles Of Universal Design and are designed to allow you to train other staff at your local agency. Successful completion of the L.A.T.S.-A.D. program prepares participants to:
- Locate and use available local, state and national resources to assist with implementation of access solutions.
- Facilitate agency teams to appropriately consider consumers' assistive technology needs and resolve access issues.
- Implement selected assistive technology devices and software to address principles of Universal Design and maximize client capabilities.
- Work effectively with caregivers and families to help develop a stronger home/agency partnership.
- Apply learned skills to assess consumer needs and provide a range of technology services within the organization. Thus, participants earn an “AT Learner’s Permit” and leave with the tools and confidence to practice earning their “AT Driver’s License.”
To demonstrate mastery of competencies, you/your team will have until June 1 ,2009 to:
- borrow four Device Loans from Husson College’s Technical Exploration Center (TEC), conduct the equipment trials and evaluate their impact
- conduct one supervised assessment.
- develop a project to solve a need for your consumers or agency.
All projects are shared at Husson’s co-sponsored Technical Exploration Center (TEC) project link, thereby creating an ongoing support system for each participant.
Learners:
To get the most benefit, we encourage each agency to send a team of two or more who can return to coordinate services for all consumers. As the agency’s resource for Assistive Technology, the team can train others to be change agents for the agency and maximize consumer’s potential. Recommended team members are: Social Worker, Nurse, Occupational, Speech, Activity, or Physical Therapists, Service Coordinator, Nurse Coordinator, Day Program Instructor/Provider, Direct Care staff, or Residential Managers.
Prerequisite:
At a minimum, each person should have: willingness to serve as an Assistive Technology Resource Person, good interpersonal skills, access to a valid email account, comfort with either Windows or Mac operating system, creativity, patience, and time. In addition, clinicians and therapists should be appropriately certified and/or licensed by national and/or State Boards of Education.
Instructors:
Lynn Gitlow, PhD, ATP
David Grapka, M.A., M.Ed., ATP, ATS
Regional Experts to be announced
Registration:
Please use this registration form to register for this event. This is a PDF file that requires the Adobe Acrobat plug-in.
Questions:
For registration, please call Joy Standbrook 207-973-1078. standbrookj@husson.edu
For course information please contact either:
Lynn Gitlow at Ph: 207-973-1074. email: lgitlow@husson.edu or
David Grapka: 518-527-9688 email: davidgrapka@gmail.com
Housing:
We recommend three properties for the Husson College LATS-AD (Local Assistive Technology Specialist for Adults with Disabilities) Certificate Program:
The Hampton Inn located by Bangor Mall
Recreation:
Plenty of breathtaking Maine scenery within a 30 minute drive!
The American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront - August 22-24, 2008. The American Folk Festival is a large-scale, three-day event. Held each year at the end of August in downtown Bangor, the Festival presents the music and dance from the many cultures that make up America today.
Individualized Training in Assistive Technology
To utilize assistive technology to its best intent, training is often necessary for the person with a disability as well as the caregivers and support staff working with them. Individualized training is often available for new equipment, or for new staff. Knowing the features of your equipment allows you to use it to the utmost level of independence.
TEC staff also offer group trainings for 1 hour, 3-4 hour and full day sessions. The topics may be beginner, intermediate or advanced level depending on your groups needs.
Popular trainings include a short introduction to assistive technology and the products available at the TEC center, 3 hour switch making and toy adapting workshop, assistive technology for elders, and recreational options/low tech adaptations to games and leisure activities
Contact the TEC staff for scheduling and fees.
TEC On The Road
TEC will be in the Ellsworth Career Center throughout the year. Please see our Calendar for the locations and time.
If anyone has specific equipment they would like to see or borrow, please contact us before then