Resume

Phyl T. Macomber
Assistive Technology Specialist

Practical Assistive Technology Solutions

Make A Difference, Inc.

789 Hammond Hill Road
West Windsor, Vermont 05089
Telephone: (802) 484-3537
Fax: (802) 484-5558

Education

Professional Experience

Author and creator and of T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™, an acronym that stands for "Technology Helps Easy & Practical Adapted Curriculum Teaching™" is a systematic, language-based framework that offers a four-step, color-coded method of building comprehension and improving expression for an individual with a disability and/or complex communication needs. T.H.E. P.A.C.T. ™ includes two receptive language teaching modules - referred to as "Learn About™" and "Read About™" – followed by two expressive language instructional modules – referred to as "Write About™" and "Talk About™." The framework highlights the importance of the use of consistent instructional activities and predictable materials, as well as multimodal supports (including, but not limited to, visual, auditory, tactile, and technology supports) to address an individual's curriculum and related service goals (such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy goals) in the least restrictive environment, where the result is that "the team knows what to teach, in what format to teach it, and what they will use to teach it." Developed a resource collection for T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™ containing a multimedia system with a corresponding organizational workbook software tool, an evolving low-technology and high technology product line, and book series. Provides customized consultation to facilitate the set up and implementation of the framework with team members serving individuals with varying disabilities on a national basis. Teaches trainings and course series related to T.H.E. P.A.C.T.™ on a national basis.

Provider of assistive technology consultation and training for teams serving special needs children and adults in the areas of adapted curriculum & teaching, augmentative communication, collaborative team building, control interfaces & switches, educational & vocational supports, environmental accommodations, keyboard & mouse emulation, and specialized software applications. Serves as a team leader and team meeting facilitator for the customization, implementation, and integration of technology components. Conducts specialized inservices, workshops, and instructional classes for user teams and professional organizations. Collaborates with leading companies in the field of assistive technology by participating in beta testing groups for new software and supports, attending focus groups to provide feedback to manufacturers on specific industry topics, and having input in the development and creation of new tools in the field of assistive technology with developers.

Provided language consultation to school-based teams for support in the areas of phonemic awareness, reading, spelling, and written language. Demonstrated instructional classroom lessons with students kindergarten through fifth grade. Facilitated team meetings and inservices for the staff related to phonemic training and written language disorders.

Provided consultative assistive technology services in Hancock county for  preschool through adult populations with aphasia, autism, cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome, dysarthria, verbal and nonverbal learning disabilities, language delays and disorders, mental retardation, progressive neurological diseases, moderate to severe physical disabilities, and traumatic brain injury. Locations included Downeast Horizons, Blue Hill Hospital, Child Development Services, Brooklin Elementary School, Deer Isle Elementary School, and Penobscot Elementary School. System manager of users' technology packages for the programming and customization of the technology. Provided technology support for Macintosh Powerbooks and Windows desktop computers with Boardmaker, Speaking Dynamically Pro, Write: Out Loud, Co:Writer, and Talk About  software applications for voice output communication and writing abilities. Provided support for training new access methods for these technology packages by developing plans for integration of single switch sites, directional scanning, and Morse Code systems. Served as a team leader and coordinator for customization, implementation, and integration of program components in this area.

Provided consultative services and training programs related to various augmentative communication products and computer access interfaces in the New England areas of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Participated in individual augmentative communication and computer access consultations in schools, nursing homes, hospitals and residential settings. Instructed standard training schools on the operation, programming and implementation of augmentative communication devices including the Touch Talker, Introtalker, Light Talker and Liberator electronic voice output communication systems. In addition, provided formalized instruction on various language organization computer software of Power in Play;  Interaction, Education and Play; and Words Strategy.

Provided assessment of augmentative communication skills for inpatients and outpatients of the institution on a national and international referral basis. Provided consultation and therapy related to speech generating devices and adapted computer access for individuals with varying disabilities. Provided training to pediatric residents related to assistive technology communication methods and participated on the technology steering team for inservice trainings.

Professional Presentations