CREATE Conference

What is the CREATE Conference? 

Teacher candidates present at the CREATE Conference.  Candidates’ presentations include a definition and description of assistive technology (AT), assessment process, matching AT device features to student needs, etc. Candidates will present to peers, faculty, parents, community members, etc. Candidates choose the mode of presentation (verbal, written) but it must include a demonstration of assistive technology.

The CREATE Conference helps us to CONSIDER the most appropriate ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY.  Based on the mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), assistive technology devices and services must be considered for all students with disabilities in the development of the Individualized Education Program (IEP).  When addressing AT consideration within the IEP process, it is important to realize that consideration is by nature, a brief process conducted within the development of every IEP. Therefore, there should be at least one person on the IEP team who has some knowledge about AT. AT consideration requires that the team participate in a decision-making process to facilitate the student's access and progress in the general curriculum. Prior to AT consideration, the educational team must:

•       Clearly identify the unique needs of the student and

•       Identify the tasks to be performed in the educational program.

To meet the intent of the IDEA 2004, the IEP team needs to ask, "Does the student need AT to meaningfully participate and progress in the general curriculum?" The practical questions to be answered here are as follows:

• "What is it that we expect the student to be able to do in the educational program that he/she is currently unable to do because of his/her disability?" and

• "Would AT provide a solution for that?"

In other words, does this student need AT to:

• Navigate/access the school environment?

• Communicate?

• Hear?

• Participate socially?

• Physically access print materials?

• Decode/comprehend print materials?

• Produce written material?

• Access the computer?

• Complete math work?

• Organize and study?

• Take state and local tests?

•  Participate in recreation/physical education?

• Participate in student activities?

• Support vocational interests, work skills?

Reflection

Being able to participate in the CREATE conference was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I am so glad I got to participate in. Giving the knowledge that I have learned from assistive technology and how it can help how it can change a child's life to others was so amazing to share. I learned from my own experience in learning about time management and organization that my own life lacked both of these. I took the time to really try to practice what I was going to show at the conference. I was able to show what I truly teaching because I was able to take it into my own life. The Promodoro Technique was my favorite to learn and have used in my own life. I strive to do this further in my next few semsters of schooling. It allowed me to truly understand what it means to be changed by the power of AT.