The International Dyslexia Association Ontario Branch

Assistive Technology is continuing to develop as a tool that can be used by parents and educators to help students with learning disabilities circumvent areas of weakness and access the regular curriculum. Technology is no miracle cure. From working with students, parents, and educators, and as a user of the technology, the presenter has seen and faced many of the barriers that exist around the use of assistive technology; including selecting the wrong technology, cost, stigma, poor implementation, lack of training, negative perceptions, and lack of access. This dynamic and interactive presentation will give an overview of assistive technology and address how to select the right technology to meet the needs of a student. In addition, a range of technology will be demonstrated. Participants will be provided with time to ask questions, present observations and problems that they may have experienced in the field.

Specific Learning Goals:
1. Increase the awareness of the variety of assistive technologies available to students.
2. Have a method for selecting appropriate assistive technology for students with learning disabilities.
3. Develop an understanding of the effectiveness of assistive technology.

Biographical Information
Todd Cunningham is working on his PH.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto and has his M.A. from the same program. He received his B.Sc. (Honours) in Psychology at Trent University where he was the Assistive Technology Tutor. He has also worked as the Assistive Technologist for the Learning Disabilities Research Program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He has presented numerous workshops throughout Canada to parents, students and educational professionals on topics including learning disabilities and assistive technology. Workshops and presentations have included additional qualifications courses through OISE/UT, Queens University, and York University; presentations for the Learning Disabilities Association of Peterborough; University of Toronto; and the Hospital for Sick Children. He has also been a guest lecturer at several universities. Todd has presented at conferences including SSSR, Paediatric Update at the Hospital for Sick Children, and Destination Success. He has been the keynote speaker at several educational and research conferences, including From Research into Practice, NOEL, and the Ontario Ministry of Education conferences 'Tools for Learning'. Todd is currently teaching a course on adapting and differentiating instruction for students experiencing learning difficulties in inclusive classrooms.