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Fundamentals Course in Assistive Technology
Session A:
Day 1 – 23rd April, 09:00 – 17:30 (Possibility Room)
Day 2 – 24th April, 10:00 – 17:30 (Possibility Room)
Session B:
Day 1 – 25th April, 10:00 – 17:30 (Imagination Room)
Day 2 – 26th April, 10:00 – 17:30 (Imagination Room)
Glen ASHLOCK, MS, ATP, Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society
of North America (RESNA)
Michelle LANGE, OTR, ABDA, ATP, Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology
Society of North America (RESNA)
The Fundamentals Course in Assistive Technology is designed to provide individuals
who are interested in the field of assistive technology an overview of the various
areas of assistive technology. It also provides assistive technology providers with
a review in breadth of knowledge of the various areas of assistive technology. Please
note that this course is not designed as a review course for the ATS, ATP or RET Exams.
This course is for rehabilitation and education professionals working with or implementing
use of Assistive Technology including Suppliers, Technologists, Physical Therapists,
Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Rehabilitation Engineers,
Educators and Others interested in AT.
For more details on the Fundamentals Course in Assistive Technology,
CLICK
HERE
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
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Alternative & Augmentative Communications (AAC) Fundamentals
24th April, 10:00 – 17:30
NLB, 5th Floor, Imagination Room
Katya HILL, PhD, CCC-SLP, University of Pittsburgh, USA
Jennifer Lowe, Executive Director, Support Helping Others Use Technology (SHOUT)
This full day workshop comprises of four modules which are the goal of
Alternative & Augmentative Communications (ACC), language models
and representation methods, Technology Options and Models and Making
Evidence-Based Decisions respectively. These modules are designed to
review the current state-of-the-science of AAC clinical practice for
all AAC stakeholder groups. For participants who are new to AAC, this
is an excellent platform to build a strong foundation of the key
components of AAC service delivery. For experienced practitioners,
this workshop provides information to instruct novice team members
and a review of current research-base in supporting clinical
interdisciplinary decision-making.
As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to establish
an understanding on definition of AAC, identify individuals who will
benefit from the use of AAC, list and describe the three AAC language
representation methods of single meaning pictures, alphabet-based methods
and semantic compaction, identify and compare the categories and ranges of
AAC assistive technology, identify and describe the language, interfaces,
outputs, and access method features of AAC systems.
To download course notes for "Alternative & Augmentative Communications (AAC) Fundamentals",
CLICK HERE
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
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Brain-Computer Interface – An Emerging Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology
24th April, 13:30 – 15:30
NLB, 5th Floor, Function Room 1
Haihong ZHANG, PhD, Institute for Infocomm Research, Singapore
Brice REBSAMEN, National University of Singapore
Physiological measures of brain function provide a new non-muscular
channel, called a brain-computer interface, for sending messages and
commands to the external world. Encouraged by the growing recognition of
the needs and potentials of people with disabilities, multi-disciplinary
BCI research programs concentrate on developing new augmentative
communication and control technology for those with severe neuromuscular
disorders.
The workshop will consist of two talks. The first talk will focus on BCI
and its applications using electroencephalographic (EEG) measures. In
particular, it will introduce the background in neuroscience and EEG
signal processing of the BCIs. It will report recent advances in the BCI
research at the Institute for Infocomm Research, Singapore, while
showcasing a few demonstrations of BCI prototypes for control,
communication or mental state monitoring.
The second talk will introduce the intelligent wheelchair research by a
collaboration between the National University of Singapore and the
Institute for Infocomm Research, Singapore. It will present a
brain-controlled wheelchair prototype uses a P300 EEG signal and a
motion guidance strategy to navigate in a building safely and
efficiently without complex sensors or sensor processing.
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
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Information & Communication Technology in Special Education Workshop
Using ICT for Teaching and Learning as Scaffolds for
Enhanced Teaching Strategies in SPED Schools
25th April, 10:00 – 13:30
NLB, 3rd Floor, Function Room 2
Cyraine Marissa WETTASINGHE, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Education (Singapore)
Libby COHEN, Visiting Professor, National Institute of Education (Singapore)
Mazlan HASAN, Instructional Designers, National Institute of Education (Singapore)
Pratima MAJAL, Instructional Designers, National Institute of Education (Singapore)
Judy LEE, Corporate Community Relations, IBM Singapore
Cognitive psychology portrays learners as active processors of information
(Bruning, 1995). Students learn better when they can invent knowledge through
inquiry and experimentation. Vygotsky (1978) referred to the zone of proximal
development, which he defined as the difference between the difficulty level of
a problem a student can cope with independently and the level that can be accomplished
with help from others. Here, the teacher’s role is to coach the student by providing
learning supports called scaffolding. ICT in the classroom can provide learning scaffolds
for learners in various ways such as displaying keyword connections, providing
compare-and-contrast summaries, generating concept maps that expose main ideas and
supporting details, showing relationships between current and past events, and stepping
learners through an active inquiry process designed to expose relationships
(Hitchcock, 2001). This seminar session will explore the use of IT as scaffolds
that SPED teachers can use for more interactive and engaging learning in class.
Agenda:
Supporting student learning with technology using universal learning design
Libby Cohen, Visiting Professor, National Institute of Education
Synopsis:
In the face of rapidly expanding capabilities of digital content, tools and networks,
there are a range of possibilities of conceiving, designing and delivering lessons that
will accommodate widely varying learners’ needs. This session will cover issues related
to universal learning design and educational technologies that can support learning
processes more effectively.
Assistive Technologies & Community-based Projects
Dr Marissa Wettasinghe, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Education
Ms Judy Lee, Corporate Community Relations, IBM Singapore
Synopsis:
To create a truly inclusive society, information technology need to be more
accessible otherwise our learners with disabilities will lose out in a big way.
In this session, hear more about early learning programmes for disadvantaged
children and assistive technology on the computer that can help increase accessibility
to enhance learning via the computer.
Educational Technologies for e-learning
Marissa Wettasinghe, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Education
Mazlan Hasan & Pratima Majal, Instructional Designers, National Institute of Education
Synopsis:
This session will look at types of learning technologies that can motivate learners
by tapping on the rich source of materials available on the Internet. Used together
with appropriate teaching and learning strategies, these resources can greatly assist
in enhancing the learning experience.
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Policy Workshop: Education, Employment & Daily Living
25th April, 10:00 – 12:00
NLB, 5th Floor, Possibility Room
10:00 – 10:30
Integration in Mainstream Schools – TEACH ME’s perspective
Shalini DAWANI, Head of Therapy Department, AWWA Teach Me
10:30 – 11:00
IT Training for People With Disabilities
Fook Wai KONG, Deputy Director, Society for the Physically Disabled
Infocomm Technology (ICT) offers one of the higher value added work People With
Disabilities (PWD) are able to leverage on to improve on their living standards,
independence and quality of living. This session explores how ICT is able to meet
these requirements using devices, technology and training necessary for PWDs to
take control of their lives and look forward to greater accessibility.
11:00 – 11:30
Employment of People with Disability in Singapore
Roland TEO, Manager (Employment Placement Division), Bizlink
When we consider the future employment of people with disability we need to
look at the following areas:-
Legislation or incentive scheme
Improving their skills
Improving the educational qualifications
Improving their attitude and inter-personal skill e.g., to be a team player
These areas, when properly developed, can enhance the employability of the PWD.
11:30 – 12:00
Use of Technology in the Home
Julie CHONG Cheng Harn, Hon Secretary, Handicaps Welfare Association
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Alternative & Augmentative Communications (AAC) & Computer Access
Workshop – Symbol-to-Speech Technology
25th April, 13:30 – 18:00
NLB, 5th Floor, Possibility Room
Kuo-Ping YANG, PhD, President, Assistive Technology Engineering Lab, Taiwan
Shu-Hua GUO, Principal Engineer, Assistive Technology Engineering Lab, Taiwan
This workshop introduces the AT products developed by Unlimiter (Assistive Technology
Engineering Lab). Unlimiter has been involved in the research and development of AT
products since 1997. It owns over 20 patents in AAC symbols library, Symbol-to-Speech
hardware and software, and computer access systems.
Through a series of live demonstrations, the participants will see various
Symbol-to-Speech AT products based on the world leading AAC symbols library. These
include the Blue Bird Communication Board, Picture Write and Picture Master Language
Software. To compliment these AAC devices, the speakers will also unveil the latest
computer access products based on the wireless Bluetooth technology.
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
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Alternative & Augmentative Communications (AAC) Evidence-Based Intervention
26th April, 10:00 – 13:00
NLB, 3rd Floor, Function Room 2
Katya HILL, PhD, CCC-SLP, University of Pittsburgh, USA
With the complexity of decision making on Alternative & Augmentative Communications
(AAC) intervention, this workshop emphasizes the application of the principles of
evidence-based practice to decision with an AAC language-based model. Through lecture,
case study data and interactive activities, participants will be familiarized with the
steps of evidence-based practice, the research and clinical data which resulted various
intervention strategies and methods, the domains of communication competence used for
developing intervention plans and outcomes, and the tools and resources which assist
AAC teams in the collection of data to evaluate and monitor AAC interventions that
result in effective communication.
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
Katya HILL, PhD, CCC-SLP, University of Pittsburgh, USA
Jennifer LOWE, Executive Director, Support Helping Others Use Technology (SHOUT)
Alternative & Augmentative Communications (AAC) evidence-based clinical
practice requires the measurement of communication performance. As a result,
automated tools are developed to support the collection and analysis of language
samples of communication generated with the use of speech-output AAC system.
This workshop comprises of a review on the basics of AAC performance and outcomes
measurement, the identification, descriptions and comparison of existing manual
methods and automated tools including the Single Switch Performance Test (SSPT),
COMPASS, U-LAM (Universal Language Activity Monitor), and PeRT analysis software
(Performance Report Tool) and lastly, the comparison of built-in automated logging
features on AAC devices.
There will be also be a demonstration session whereby an AAC user will interact
with the audience to obtain language sample. The AAC Performance Report of the
collected language sample will then be generated and reviewed. From this
demonstration, participants will understand the importance of this simple
foundational practice.
To download course notes for "Communication Performance Measurement and Individuals Who Use Alternative
& Augmentative Communications (AAC)",
CLICK HERE
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
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Seating Workshop – Taking Special Seating into the Next Level
26th April, 13:30 – 15:30
NLB, 3rd Floor, Function Room 1
Susanna KOH, Senior Prosthetist/Orthotist, Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Carmen ORLANDI, Senior Prosthetist/Orthotist, Tan Tock Seng Hospital
This workshop is for clinicians, users and suppliers of varying level of
knowledge of special seating. It covers briefly the main principles behind the
science of seating and positioning and has an open discussion about the
advantages and disadvantages of modular and customized seating solutions.
The second part of the workshop will focus on the Matrix Seating System. The
Matrix generation 2 seating system is an answer to many of the challenged that
we face in today’s customized seating solutions. Participants would have the
change to get hands on experience in molding the backs on each other to better
understand how this system works.
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
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Introduction to Rehabilitative and Assistive Robotics
26th April, 13:30 – 15:30
NLB, 5th Floor, Possibility Room
Wei Tech ANG, PhD (Robotics, CMU), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Etienne BURDET, PhD (Robotics, ETH-Zurich), Imperial College of Science & Technology, UK
This half day workshop introduces the state of the art robotics research
in rehabilitation and assistive applications. The content is designed for
robotics technology researchers, healthcare professionals, end users, and
anyone interested in the field.
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
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Discussion Forum – Is Asia ready for Assistive Technology?
26th April, 16:00 – 18:00
NLB, 5th Floor, Possibility Room
This discussion forum attempts to provide a platform for the conference
participants from different countries to discuss the state of Assistive
Technology in Asia and the journey ahead for Asia to widely adopt and embrace
the benefits of Assistive Technology.
Who should attend:
Policy makers, practitioners, researchers, PWD, caregivers, merchants, teachers,
and anyone interested in AT.
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TECHNICAL PROGRAMME
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Biomechanics Workshop – The Scientific Analysis of Motion for Effective Rehabilitation
26th April, 10:00 – 17:30
Nanyang Polytechnic (Transport to Nanyang Polytechnic leave NLB at 09:30)
Bala S. RAJARATNAM, Manager / Projects, School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic
Pavel BOGACHKO, Biomechanist, Qualisys AB
Motion analyses quantify kinematic and kinetic features of complex body movement
to better display and understand salient biomechanical and muscular characteristics
to be corrected. Stillman (1991) suggested that "motion analysis systems should
become a major assessment and research tool in the future." Results of motion
analysis studies allow implementation of evidence-based rehabilitation programs
for patients for better patient outcomes. This one day workshop is organised by
Nanyang Polytechnic, School of Health Sciences, Biofit Technology & Services
(Singapore) and Qualisys AB from Sweden. Participants will be provided with hand-on
exposure to collect and analyse human motion and electromyography activity of muscles
during action among patients with movement disorders and during sports. The workshop
will benefit Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Bioengineers, Sports Scientists,
Sports Trainers and Specialists in human movement studies. The workshop is limited to
15 participants and involves analysis of at least 3 different movement patterns of both
upper and lower limbs and trunks. The workshop will be held at the Motion Analysis Lab
of Nanyang Polytechnic.
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