Technology Meeting with the Experts

 by Jackie Wood

As New Mexico State University looked at its newly created Personnel Preparation Program for Teachers of the Visually Impaired, one thing was clear.  Assistive Technology was just one of the many important areas of knowledge needed in this profession.  Sheila Amato, Ed.D. and instructor of the Nemeth Code and Assistive Technology course for NMSU organized the birth of the First Annual Meeting with the Experts.

In spite of the ever demanding schedules of these experts, NMSU was able to bring in speakers from across the country.  The nucleus of the workshop was the graduate students of Dr. Amato’s class, TVI’s, Educational Assistants, Transcribers and NMSU faculty who gathered at the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired on August 2 and 3.

The participants had an opportunity to attend five different presentations.  Kate Schenk representing Enabling Technologies wowed the group with a hands-on demonstration of several embossers ranging from portable to versapoint to the production of books.  The graduate students in particular enjoyed getting to create a file, convert that file to Duxbury, and then emboss.

Annemarie Cooke from RFB&D shared the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic story before she moved her audience into trying out the latest in an audiobook CD-ROM player, a user-friendly digital CD player, and a desktop narrator especially good in the K-4 classroom setting because of its large control buttons.

The attendees became very involved with the hands-on experience with the materials Annemarie presented.  

American Printing House for the Blind was represented by Field Services Representative Sandi Baker, who shared valuable information about APH services.  The participates enjoyed the relaxed  manner in which they were told about the services available, including the Federal Quota System and products for students who are blind and have multiple disabilities.  The hot topic for Sandi was the Federal Quota System.  Each group that rotated through her session during the two days was instructed as to their role in the registry process and what services their students could then receive.  There was also hands-on time to view and handle the products that Sandi presented.

Chuck Wright from Freedom Scientific was also a hit with his workshop, demonstrating three assistive technology software applications.  From there, Chuck took his audience through the use of the PAC Mate.  Teachers were thrilled to learn that even they can master elementary skills involved with using a note taker.  They also had the opportunity to examine and try out examples of low vision assistive technology.

Dr. Amato guided the attendees through the basics of Duxbury, letting them create, print and  emboss various files.  Each one would ask for more time -  or if they could come back later to learn more.  The graduate students had just completed their Braille I class with Dr. Amato, so they were glad to have the opportunity to work with this particular piece of software.

There were many highlights of this workshop but the one that seemed to be stated most often was the individual attention that each participant felt they received from the presenters.  The participants were also appreciative of the opportunity to have individual questions and concerns for their students addressed.

From the workshop ‘Experts’ came a resounding, “Can we do this again next year?”  The answer to that question is “Yes!”  New Mexico State University will host Meeting with the Experts in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is on the calendar for August 1-2, 2005.  We will also offer either CEU or graduate credit through NMSU.  Keep your eyes open for further information on this workshop.