Skill-Building Training Examples
Making Communication Happen III
Killington, Vermont
May 14, 2008
B4. Visual Scene Displays: A Functional and Real-Life Approach to AAC
AAC systems have traditionally used single pictures on grid-based arrays (squares in rows) for depicting vocabulary and promoting communication. An alternative approach, which is very practical and functional to use, is emerging, which is called Visual Scene Displays (VSDs). VSDs depict actual backgrounds and real-life scenes in a person's life to display communication messages. VSDs offer communication in the context it will be used and decreases the user's learning time in how to use the communication tool. In addition, VSDs assist the communication partner with increased participation and these type of communication displays are language rich to offer much more immediate success for users. This presentation will outline a process for introducing VSD’s, along with steps for transitioning from low technology communication boards to speech generating devices. Each participant will receive a resource CD with “How-To” articles and sample VSD communication boards. Software raffles will be held in this session.
Presenters: Phyl T. Macomber, Assistive Technology Specialist; Keith Woodbury, SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, Tobii Assistive Technology, Inc.
Room: NORTHSTAR II
C4. Light Tech – Hands-on Practical Strategies
Light tech communication supports can be easy and inexpensive to create. The trick is how to best integrate and use these practical supports together. We’ll show you some creative light tech ideas and show you how to combine them for an effective communication system.
Presenters: Eileen Haddon, Assistive Technology Practitioner, Vermont Assistive Technology Program; Phyl Macomber, Assistive Technology Specialist
Room: NORTHSTAR II
POST–CONFERENCE SESSION
3:30 – 5:00
Speaking Dynamically Pro Communication Board Sharing Session
Speaking Dynamically Pro (SDPro) is a dynamic communication software for individuals with significant speech, language, or learning disabilities. It allows you to create customized "talking" communication boards and interactive activities as well as printed materials. This sharing session was created to provide an opportunity to:
have participants come with SDPro boards to share with others; and
have participants obtain samples of others boards.
The format for this will be via memory sticks (flash drives). Each participant interested in sharing or receiving SDPro boards is required to attend the session with their own personal memory stick labeled with their name. All SDPro boards to be shared by a participant must be placed on a memory stick prior to attending the session. There is no additional cost to attend this session. A software raffle will be held in this session.
Presenter: Phyl T. Macomber, Assistive Technology Specialist
Room: OVATIONS
Hi, Phyl . . . Just a quick note to say Thank You for the great workshop/information gathering sessions yesterday . . . WOW! 
Phyl,It was great being a part of the sharing session. Thank you for all the preparation and time. You have a great presentation style mixed in with lots of knowledge about the field. The families and teams you support are very fortunate to have you as their AT/AAC resource.
Phyl,I meant to write this earlier in the day, but it's the day after a day out of the office and you know how that goes . . .
As I said yesterday, you are a fantastic presenter and what a privilege the Springfield team feels we have that we are be able to work with you on a monthly basis.
You have a gift. You are so good at making each person 'on the train' feel valuable. Everyone got a compliment and recognition from you yesterday at some point in the training. We all left, parents and providers, with high self-esteem and confidence and renewed energy for the work that lay ahead.
I'm so proud to know you and call you my friend as well as my colleague.
Phyl,It was great to meet you yesterday and get a glimpse of what makes you so sought after! I so look forward to being a part of one of your teams and learning as much as I can.
Phyl,We are so fortunate to have you in our lives now. You instill hope when there is little to be had. You give us smiles and sunshine when things are gloomy. And you reassure us that nothing is impossible with a little muscle, time and TLC.
Phyl,I loved the communications conference. I learned so much! You and Keith did a terrific job. I loved the presentation at the end of the day. I can't wait to load them all on my computer. I am so proud to work with you, Phyl. You need to know that your mom would be so proud of you. You are such a hard worker and you are really, really MAKING A DIFFERENCE. You made me cry when you talked about your mom!
You are awesome, Phyl.
A Functional Approach To Using Visual Scene Displays
Keith Provides An Overview Of Research And History
Phyl Explains The Design Features Of Visual Scene Displays
Phyl Demonstrates Low Technology Visual Scene Display Boards
Q & A Session With Phyl And Keith
Hands-On Software Trainings
Phyl provides step-by-step instruction for software operation
Participants receive skill-building lessons for software implementation
Phyl outlines practical applications of the specialized software features
Using Pictures To Communicate:
A Boardmaker Training
Intermediate Level
Presented By:
Phyl T. Macomber
Assistive Technology Specialist
August 25, 2006
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Weathersfield Middle School
Ascutney, Vermont
Phyl Macomber thanks Chris Burke and fellow band members, Joe and John De Masi, for their guest appearance at the conculsion of the Down Right Special Communication Workshop.
