The Assistive Technology team has created an older student/adult language board to use during this pandemic period of time. They have also created an alphabet board set in Qwerty that can be printed separately or on the back.
These visual supports can be useful in trying to facilitate communication. He hope you find this helpful.
Visual Support for Communication
Visual supports can be an important tool in helping to facilitate communication. Throughout our centers, these visual supports are everywhere. They help children understand schedules and behavior expectations. They allow children to communicate with family, teachers and therapists about their needs and feelings.
The Assistive Technology team has created a visual communication board for families to use at home. This board contains vocabulary that is most relevant to preschoolers.
We hope you find this helpful! Stay tuned for middle school and high school versions.
Here is a pdf version as well
by Sandy Masayko
Some highlights of 2019 from the AT Department at Easterseals SEPA–
HONORS
Director of AT, Joy McGowan, was recognized as a Healthcare Hero by Main Line Today in May. Joy, who has worked at Easterseals for more than 30 years, has helped hundreds of people attain communication skills and devices through her work evaluating, consulting, mentoring and guiding clients, families and therapists.
The AT Team gathered with Joy to celebrate her recognition as a Healthcare Hero.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
The AT Team presented papers and posters about 3D printing for AT and eye gaze technology for young children at these conferences:
By sharing our knowledge we have been able to guide people in the USA and other countries in construction and implementation of AT to meet a wide range of needs, and we have gained information to help us with our clients.
This poster traveled to Anaheim for the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine conference.
COLLABORATION
Working with volunteers from Comcast and Thomas Jefferson University, the AT Department and volunteers fabricated over 50 adapted toys for children at our schools.
The School District of Philadelphia’s Science Leadership Academy students have continued to work with us to fabricate toys and devices for our students.
Thank you to our supporters at Comcast, Thomas Jefferson and SLA!
Comcast Cares Day participants adapted many toys for our students at Easterseals.
This Easterseals student received a custom-fitted seat for a kiddie car adapted by Jefferson University students, Comcast employees & Easterseals staff.
GRANTS
Building on our success with 3D printing of Assistive Technology, we have received a new grant from Comcast to fund implementation of Virtual Reality for educational purposes in our schools. Come back for more information about this in 2020.
NEW TEAM MEMBER
The AT Team welcomed Laura Slotkoff, M.S., OTR/L, as an Assistive Technology Specialist in September. Laura joined the AT Team after working for two years in OT at Easterseals. She brings knowledge of new technologies and commitment to expanding opportunities for participation for our students and clients.
The AT Team wishes a happy 2020 to our supporters and friends!
by Kristine DelMonte
Disclaimer: I am not an Assistive Technology (AT) professional, nor am I an OT or a PT.
I work in Easterseals’ Development Department, working to cultivate volunteer experiences and corporate engagement.
But when I received an email from the AT Department looking for staff members to receive training on the 3D Printers we received last fall – thanks to a generous grant from the Comcast Foundation — I signed up right away.
Last week I participated in our first of three training sessions. There were about 11 of us plus the instructor, Marcia Leinweber, the 3D printing expert from the AT Department. I am pretty sure I was the LEAST knowledgeable person there, I’d never even seen the printer at work until that day. But judging from the energy in the room it was evident that the rest of the staff knew that what they were about to learn could provide solutions to some of tricky problems they face on a daily basis.
First, Marcia provided an overview of the many ways the printer can be used, and showed how it can be used to make assistive technology – from printing tactile books for kids with vision impairment, to printing pieces to fix therapeutic equipment, to printing switches used to adapt toys. Next, we logged on to a website called “Thingiverse” to discover the designs that we will print before the next class (we have homework!).
Using the 3D Printer isn’t likely to be part of my normal work day, but I am glad to be given the chance to more fully understand how to use it – and more importantly, to understand the many ways our staff can use it to make positive differences in the lives of the kiddos we serve.
When companies like Comcast invest in organizations like Easterseals, the kids we serve benefit in a million little ways. I can’t wait to see how our staff use the 3D printer to make assistive technology – and help our kids to be 100% included and 100% empowered.
by Sandy Masayko
Six staff members from Easterseals of SEPA traveled to Orlando to attend the Assistive Technology Industry Association meeting, January 30-February 2, 2019. For Laurie Spencer, Laura Slotkoff and Jo Booth, it was their first ATIA meeting; Marcia Leinweber, Laurie McGowan and Sandy Masayko were returning participants. This stimulating conference offered a wide array of learning opportunities in the field of AT, from workshops, to posters, to vendor demonstrations and networking. All participants were very pleased with the conference.
Easterseals was well represented in the area of presentation. Laura S., Marcia and Sandy presented a popular poster session on using 3D printing and AT to promote student participation. Sandy also co-presented “Adapting Low Cost Kiddie Ride-on Cars for Early Mobility: Lessons Learned” with Mary Elizabeth McCulloch of Project Vive and AbleRacers. Laurie McGowan helped instruct people who participated in AT Maker Day.
Here are some of the comments our attendees made about their learning experiences at ATIA:
Marcia:
Wow, this is hard to narrow down!
My favorite was learning more about 3D printing tactile graphics and resources available for additional tactile graphics. I enjoyed learning a variety of topics and exploring current research topics. The AT Makers Day is always a favorite. I learn so much in such a short time. The creativity and enthusiasm are inspiring.
Jo:
My absolute favorite session was the one with Karen Kangas on positioning. She totally captivated us all with her wit and base of knowledge. She gave practical tips on how to assess by throwing everything you think you know – out the door. Her point was to have a fresh eye and focus on the person and their ability to function within their environment.
Laurie S:
I second Jo’s comments.
I loved all the practical sessions. I enjoyed getting more information and resources to help with coaching teachers and TAs in implementing AAC in the classroom.
Laura S:
It’s really hard to pick just one favorite part of the conference; I feel like I came away with so many practical tools and strategies! I really liked the presentation on adaptive art tools by Judith Schoonover. We’ve only been back at Easterseals for a week, yet I’ve already had the opportunity to make several adaptations to help students better participate in art and crafts.
Laurie M:
It is always difficult to choose what to go to, and just one class as a favorite. There are so many great offerings. This year I focused on computer accessibility and note taking. I discovered that the computer industry – both Mac and PC – Google and Microsoft have really stepped up their game in accessibility for everyone. And not only are they all free tools for everyone to use, many go across platforms. This is a huge advantage for our transitioning students for OVR. I also enjoy the exhibit hall. You get to talk directly with the developers and companies, ask questions and see all the new things they are working on.
Sandy:
Networking and sharing ideas at our poster session was really enjoyable. I learned that Easterseals of SEPA is really “cutting edge” with our introduction and use of 3D printing to make assistive technology.
ATIA 2019 Easterseals of SEPA Participants, left to right: Marcia Leinweber, Laura Slotkoff, Laurie Spencer, Jo Booth, Sandy Masayko, Laurie McGowan
Our poster session about 3D printed AT was very well received. The session included AT created by 3D printing for participants to inspect and try.
The poster was created as an outcome of our Maker Space grant funded by Comcast and supported by other community partners such as Drexel, the Science Leadership Academy, Project Vive and MakerBot. Our poster will have its own blog post soon!
Mary Elizabeth McCulloch of Project Vive and Sandy Masayko of Easterseals co-presented a session titled “Low Cost Adapted Toy Cars for Early Independent Mobility: Lessons Learned.” In January 2017 Project Vive partnered with Easterseals to provide a how-to workshop on car adaptations, and the ATIA presentation shared tips for effective car construction workshops.
by
Sandy Masayko
Have you ever traveled over 10,000 miles, entered a new place and felt like you were at home? That was my experience in January when I visited St. Giles, a branch of Ability First Australia, which is an organization in Australia similar to and affiliated with Easterseals in the US.
My visit came about at the invitation of Occupational Therapist Lisa Melvey of St. Giles, who visited our Yaffe Center when she was on her Easterseals study tour in the fall. Lisa encouraged me to visit when she learned I would be in Australia in January.
Lisa gave me a tour of the modern, light-filled facilities where the agency offers speech, physical and occupational therapy as well as autism, behavioral and social support services, seating and assistive technology to people of all ages and their families. In addition to therapy services the agency has several unique programs, such as “Chat Fit” for adults who use augmentative/alternative communication (AAC). The participants use their communication systems while participating in fitness groups, leisure or community activities and enjoy socializing while honing their use of AAC. Another unique program that is offered by St.Giles is a Toy Library that is open to the community as well as families who are participating in therapeutic services at St. Giles.
Tasmania is a beautiful island state of Australia, located south of the Australian continent, with a climate similar to that of Northern California. About the size of West Virginia, it has over 500,000 inhabitants. Most of the island is rural so providing services in remote places can sometimes be a challenge. St. Giles has 3 main locations and also serves people in their home and community settings. To learn more about St.Giles, visit StGiles.org.au
Visiting St. Giles was a highlight for me when I traveled to Tasmania. With its friendly people, farm fresh foods, beautiful topography and amazing animals, Tasmania is a wonderful place to visit.
by Sandy Masayko
The Assistive Technology Department, working in collaboration with our grant funder Comcast and our community partners Science Leadership Academy, Drexel University, Project Vive and MakerBot, is excited to report that our development of Maker Spaces at Easterseals SE PA is well underway! This project consists of two parts: Education of Easterseals staff and local high school student education to provide the basis for creation of Assistive Technology (AT); and setting up maker spaces at each Easterseals SE PA approved private school. The maker spaces will be supplied with 3D printers, soldering kits, moldable plastics, tools, and more. But before anyone can use this new high tech equipment, they need to learn how to design solutions to meet needs and the basics of use of the tools. To meet this need, the AT Department organized two workshops in the fall.
Workshop 1 was held at Drexel University’s Westphal College of Design in September and focused on 3D printing. After a review of AT by Sandy Masayko and an overview of the multiple use of 3D printers by Laurie McGowan, Laura Slatkoff shared her personal experiences in discovering 3D printing and using it to make a customized keyguard for a student. Marcia Leinweber introduced step by step instructions for Computer Assisted Design. Mary Elizabeth McCulloch of Project Vive presented concepts to consider in the design process. The thirty participants then got to work on their shared computers to design the top of a switch. AT Staff members, assisted by Science Leadership Academy (SLA) students who were familiar with 3D design, coached the participants. During the workshop, the SLA students increased their knowledge of AT, and they also videoed and photographed the workshop. At the end of the workshop, Easterseals staff members had homework to complete over the two months before the next workshop: participants were asked to finish their designs and email them to Marcia for printing on the Makerbot 3D printer.
The next workshop, held at SLA in November, allowed the participants to complete their design by constructing a switch for AT. Switch assembly necessitated soldering and wiring of the switch, activities taught by Mary Elizabeth and Joey McCulloch from Project Vive. The participants also learned what tools were in the Maker Spaces and how to use them. Laurie McGowan led participants in creating battery interrupters that can be used to enable toys and devices to be activated with a switch. Sandy introduced how to use a moldable plastic that can be used to create adaptations. As with the first workshop, the SLA students proved to be great coaches to ES staff members as they learned to wire and solder.
Response by the staff to the workshop was overwhelmingly positive. In our pre and post testing for each workshop, the staff members indicated that they significantly increased their knowledge of AT, 3 D printing and tools for creating solutions for people with disabilities. The next phase of the project will be establishment of the Maker Spaces at each approved private school sites. We can’t wait to see what our staff will create!
Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania 