Help for Richard

I realize I'm posting late this week and I apologize to all who may have the time to check back and read this. I was in San Antonio, TX from last Wednesday night until Monday afternoon. I went to see my son graduate from the Air Force Basic Training. It has been a great and emotional weekend!!!
In looking over Closing the Gap articles, there were several options that were mentioned in some of the articles that I felt might help Richard. One device that I read about was the Aladdin Companion which is a full featured video magnifier for people with low vision. Some of the features of this product were magnification from 2.8x to 14x of printed or written material for individuals with low vision problems. It also includes built-in lighting for reading materials, simplified controls, a 9-inch viewing screen, and a built-in handle. It also has accessories that are available with it such as a carrying case, a moveable viewing table, and a cable for connection to a TV for even larger viewing options. The article stated that it was low weight at less than 20 pounds. This was the only thing that concerned me about it. To me that sounds slightly heavy. Although it states that it is compact and portable, it still sounds slightly heavy which would make me think it might be cumbersome. It would still be an option for Richard to use at home for his reading. It could help relieve the strain he feels as he reads.
Another thing that I thought Richard might enjoy were Podcasts. The article described these as "radio on demand." No ipod would be required, actually. All that is needed is a computer and good internet access. So if reading was too much of a strain for Richard, he could select a Podcast and listen. The age of technology! You've got to love it! There are so many more options and products available now for individuals in Richard's situation. I think Richard just needs to experiment with these options and see which ones he prefers. I know that I used to think I didn't care to have an ipod . . . I mean what did I need one for? But I got one for Christmas and I absolutely love it! You just never know until you actually try some of these new technologies out how they may affect your life and how much you may enjoy them.
Angela

Poetry . . . the songs of life!

I WISH
I WISH I WAS THINNER
I WISH I HAD MORE MONEY
I WISH I HAD MORE TIME
I WISH I COULD TRAVEL MORE
By: Angela Bunn

I went to Closing the Gap looking for an article on writing. Writing is not something I enjoy teaching just because it is so hard for my students. So I went to find an article that would inspire me . . . an article that would give me some ideas . . . an article that would help ME help them! The article that caught my attention was by Caroline Ramsey Musselwhite and Deanna Kempka Wagner. It was entitled Poetry . . . for language and for LIFE! The article discussed using poetry not only for students to learn, but as a means for self-expression, a means of helping people express who they are. My students all speak, so they have a means of expressing themselves, (sometimes a little more than I need for them to in the classroom!). But for students who are nonspeaking, poetry can be empowering in helping them express who they are to others.




The article gave examples of poems written by individuals who use AAC to communicate. The different types of poems included wish poems (like my attempt at the beginning of this blog), list poems, add-a-word poems, cinquin poems, and examples of poetry starters. All of these types of poems are great ideas for use in classrooms of different types with children at all different levels. The article discusses how poetry can be excellent for language learning and how important it is for people who use AAC to have access to as much vocabulary as possible. The article gave examples and suggestions for software and programs that would offer extensive, organized vocabulary for this purpose.



In thinking back over my previous readings of Cook and Hussey, it is so important to take into consideration an individual's strengths and needs when considering different types of Assistive Technology. The capabilities are out there, it is just a matter of matching the correct AT with the individual for the job that needs to be done. I was so impressed with the poetry examples that the article shared from individuals who use AAC. It provided those individuals with the opportunity to express themselves, inspire themselves and others, and bring joy!

I have had to insert the link for the article because I could not figure out how to upload the file that I had saved on my jumpdrive. I went to Help to see if I could figure it out, but I could not. If anyone can give me some pointers on that, I would greatly appreciate it!

Hi everyone!
Boy, have I had a whirlwind 6 months! We sold a house the end of July and moved into a temporary rental for a couple of months. My youngest son got married in September. We bought a house and moved into it the end of September. I got engaged! My oldest son graduated from ECU in December. And the youngest one that just got married, left for basic training with the Air Force on Jan. 1. And all the while I have been taking my online graduate classes . . . and teaching full time!
I teach a resource class at Princeton School which is the largest K-12 public school in the state. This is our last year to make that claim. Next year, our new K-5 school will open and the campus that I am now at will be a 6-12 grade school.
Even though it has been a lot going on, the biggest adjustment for me has been my son going into the Air Force. He has been gone for about 2 weeks and it is tougher than I thought it would be not being able to talk to him once or twice a week on the phone.
So, this coming up year will be a big one too! A trip to San Antonio to see my son graduate from Basic Training, a trip (or two) to Hilton Head where my oldest son plans on taking a job, and a wedding in the fall (again)!!! And then (hopefully), another graduation in December . . . MINE!
I am looking forward to meeting everyone this semester. Some of you I know through other classes and some of you I am looking forward to getting to know.
I'll be blogging with you soon!
Angela