Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Quick Learning Opportunities!

Hey Tek-ninjas! I wanted to take a moment and highlight some terrific education opportunities for you to build your AAC skills. 

These courses, offered through Tobii Dynavox are excellent, typically 1 to 1.5 hours long, and price just right: FREE. These times are all Eastern Time. 


May 27: Keep Doing What Matters: Technology Supports for ALS: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 

May 27: Stay True to You: Personalized Communication for People with Aphasia: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm 

May 28: Tips, Tricks, and Resources for Snap! 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 

June 1: Support All Learners with Boardmaker. 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 

June 2: Access Your Computer with Your Eyes. 11:00 am - 11:30

June 2: The Magic of Modeling. 12 pm - 12:30 pm

This is a just the surface of what is available. Peruse the catalogue here.  The events are constantly being updated. Miss one you want to see? Likely it will pop up again. What something specific? Reach out to your local Solution Consultant, and they can bring your idea to our Learning Team! 

Happy Learning!

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Jo gets to deliver voices!

 Hey Tek-ninjas! I have so loved being a Tobii Dynavox Solutions Consultant for 3.5 years. The job has been such a good fit for me, and I am so proud to be a part of this organization. If you are a long time reader, you've read me gush about my job. You know that I am constantly impressed by my colleagues. They are such a smart and dedicated group of professionals. We get to deliver voices!! It has felt like so much more than "just a job". 

My IG Story: 2019
As of April 1st, I've moved into a new role, and I am now a Regional Market Director, which means I am managing close to a dozen Solution Consultants in SC, NC, VA, DC, MD, PA, and a small corner of WVA and OH, and helping them to deliver voices. 

With this shift, one of my biggest concerns has been finding a replacement who would 1. love this work as much as I have, and 2. recognize it's profound importance. Fortunately, we had several amazing applicants to choose from, and ultimately there were some hard decisions to make. 

I'm confident we got it right, and I am so pleased to share with folks that Jo Taylor, SLP extraordinaire will be taking over my territory, the "right side" of NC, and Tidewater, VA! Jo begins May 24th.

Jo was a guest blogger here on Tek-ninja awhile back, where she showcased how she was leveraging infrared and Snap Core First to engage her clients. She has a ton of AAC experience, and has helped grow AAC awareness where ever she goes. Jo is very much an AAC dork like myself! One of her self-professed joys is to try to give an answer on Facebook BEFORE Jeremy Tobii-Dynavox Nelson can do so! 

So, if you are in Eastern NC, or Tidewater VA, please be on the lookout for her and reach-out to her for AAC needs. She will be reachable at jo.taylor@tobiidynavox.com. 

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Grant Money for AAC Equipment

HEY ALL, I FIXED THE BROKEN LINK FOR THE APPLICATION!

Hey Tek-ninjas! This one goes out to school-based SLPs, OTs, and anyone on an Assistive Technology team in the US. 

Are you aware of the CARES Act? The CARES Act is a Federal program providing $390 million in
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020. Funds are allocated to each state's K-12 schools in the form of grants to mitigate the financial stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly $39 million in federal coronavirus relief money has been released by the State Board of Education. This money can be used to support exceptional children’s programs and to purchase online curricula to support blended learning. 

Additionally, it can be used to purchase educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students served by the LEA – which can also include assistive technology for disabled students.

In a nutshell: there is funding available for your AT Team which could be used to procure AAC equipment!  Here in North Carolina you can learn specifics here, and apply for your district here.  

If you are in a different state, you can probably find application information by googling "cares act funding for (your STATE) school districts. 

Money left untapped goes back to DC. Good luck!!