Better education for the disabled through technologies will be the focus of the second annual conference, “Making the Connections '05: Ideas in Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication (AT and Aug Com)” sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education’s (DOE) Training and Technical Assistance Center at Virginia Tech. The training sessions will be held on Thursday and Friday, June 23 and 24, at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.

AT and Aug Com will assist disabled individuals by teaching basic, technology-supported educational strategies to parents, special educators, service providers, administrators, and paraprofessionals. Up to 250 people are expected to attend.

Keynote speaker, Scott Marfilius, assistive instructional technology consultant, will top the agenda, examining technology-based literacy instruction focused on assistance with students’ general curriculum. Marfilius, who has worked with cognitive and learning disabled individuals for the past 22 years, integrates computers and technology into his teaching strategies by assessing students’ technological needs. His teaching certifications cover early childhood special education, cognitive disabilities, emotional disabilities, and learning disabilities.

Topics for the breakout sessions include “Accessing the Curriculum Using AT and Aug Com,” “AT/Aug Com and the Individuals with Individualized Education Plans (IEP),” “AT/Aug Com and Literacy,” and “Handheld Technology.” These sessions are geared toward individuals working with preschool through high school students. Hands-on opportunities and “Make and Take” sessions also will be offered.

Online registration is available at https://www.conted.vt.edu/ssl/augcom/. The $65 fee includes lunch, breaks, and conference materials. Registration is due by June 10.

Rooms have been reserved at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center with special rates for conference attendees. To make lodging reservations, contact the hotel directly by calling (540) 985-5900 or toll free at (866) 594-4722 and mention the name of the conference.

For questions or additional information, call T/TAC at (540) 231-5167 or e-mail Glenna Gustafson. For special accommodations, including auxiliary aids and services, call (540) 231-6248, (800) 848-2714, or TDD (540) 231-3315.

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