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Free Bridges Webinars

Scroll down to watch our past webinars on-demand - anytime, anywhere.
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All of Bridges webinars are presented in English unless noted in the description. 

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Upcoming Webinar

Phonics for Non-Speaking Students: Readtopia’s Comprehensive Approach

Date: Tuesday, April 15th, 2025
Time:
3:30pm ET | 2:30pm CT | 12:30pm PT
Duration:
 45 mins
Presenter:  Marci Butler, B.S.Ed

How do you teach phonics to students who don’t use speech to communicate?

In this webinar, Marci Butler from Building Wings will explore how Readtopia and ReadtopiaGO approach phonics and alphabet instruction as part of a comprehensive literacy program.
Learn why all students need phonological awareness skills and how Readtopia’s research-based methods differ from traditional phonics instruction. Gain insights and strategies that empower non-speaking students with practical strategies that develop essential reading skills. 

Register Now
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Marci Butler, B.S.Ed
Building Wings

An educator who has the privilege of coaching other educators on implementing best practices of comprehensive literacy in their classrooms. She also has the additional perspective of parenting a Readtopia student.

Dive into Emergent Writing with ReadtopiaGO

Date: Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
Time:
3pm ET | 2pm CT | 12pm PT
Duration:
 45 mins
Presenters:  Jan Pilling, Vicki Lamb

Discover how an elementary teacher and a Speech and Language Pathologist in Manitoba are helping young learners with complex learning challenges understand that writing is a powerful way to express ideas. Through ReadtopiaGO, a comprehensive literacy program, students engage with print daily, strengthening early literacy skills.

Discover how ReadtopiaGO supports emergent writing through: 

  • Modelled writing – Morning Message
  • Shared writing – Predictable Chart Writing
  • Independent writing

Learn the importance of providing all students with tools to write and communicate their ideas. See the exciting growth in both students and educators as they embrace these strategies. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your approach to early literacy!

Register Now
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Jan Pilling
Speech Language Pathologist | Brandon School Division

Jan Pilling is a Speech Language Pathologist who has worked in the field for 30 years. She is passionate about working with students who have complex communication needs and who utilize augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) systems. She works in the Brandon School Division providing training and support in the areas of AAC and Assistive Technology.

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Vicki Lamb
Resource Teacher | Brandon School Division

Vicki Lamb is a Resource Teacher in Brandon School Division. For the past 25 years, she has held a variety of teaching positions, including multi-age classrooms in grade 2-6, Reading Recovery, Numeracy Support, and Literacy Support. She is a strong advocate for inclusive classrooms where all students can learn and thrive. 

Latest Webinar

Discover debug’d: Inclusive STEM in Action!

Date: Wednesday, April 9th, 2025
Time:
3:30pm ET | 2:30pm CT | 12:30pm PT
Duration:
 30 mins
Presenter:  Bogdan Pospielovsky

Join us for an engaging webinar where teachers who have used Debug’d will share their experiences bringing accessible coding to their classrooms. Plus, hear from a university that used debug’d to teach educators about Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Debug’d coding kits are uniquely designed for ALL learners, including those with physical, cognitive, and communication challenges. Learn how it supports explicit coding instruction with real-world skills and student creativity while reinforcing literacy, math, collaboratively.
Be inspired by fellow educators in bringing UDL, and truly inclusive coding for all into your classroom.

Watch Recording
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New ASD Resources in Widgit Online

Duration: 45 mins
Presenter: Rebecca Lynch from Widgit Software

Discover how Widgit Online and their new Autism Support Packs empower individuals on the autism spectrum with symbolized resources for communication, behavior support, and social learning.
The Support Packs are a comprehensive, ready-to-use set of resources, developed by professionals and the autistic community free to subscribers of Widgit Online.

Our expert guest, Rebecca Lynch, will share her extensive experience with students on the spectrum, ages 4-19, and demonstrate how easy it is to customize the Pack’s resources in Widgit Online:

  • Social scripts and stories to support routines and transitions
  • Behavioural support materials for self-regulation and social interactions
  • Communication resources to aid expression and comprehension
  • Fully symbolized tools for accessibility and engagement

Plus, attendees receive free sample resources and a certificate of completion!

Watch Recording
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Rebecca Lynch
Symbol and Education Specialist | Widgit Software

Rebecca is a qualified primary school teacher with over 14 years’ experience. She worked for 10 years in mainstream and 4 years as primary and communication lead at an autism specialist setting for 4 – 19-year-olds. This is where she discovered Widgit Symbols and the power that they have to open up a world of communication.
In her role at Widgit, Rebecca endeavours to create high quality resources which aid communication, understanding, and curriculum, as well as supporting school staff and parents through training sessions.

Bringing Shared Reading to Life with Readtopia & Readtopia GO

Duration: 45 mins
Presenter: Mike Kelly from Building Wings

Shared Reading is a key component of comprehensive literacy instruction for emergent learners, helping build confidence, comprehension, and a love of reading with social interaction.
In this webinar, we’ll explore:

  • What shared reading is and why it’s so impactful for literacy development.
  • How Readtopia and Readtopia GO provide ready-to-use lessons and engaging content to make shared reading a seamless daily routine.
  • Educator-friendly tools, including step-by-step tutorials in Readtopia GO, to support effective implementation.

Designed for teachers, SLPs, support staff, and instructional leaders, in 30 minutes guest speaker Mike Kelly, an experienced former special education educator, will provide practical strategies to enrich your literacy instruction. 

Watch Recording
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Mike Kelly
Building Wings

Mike Kelly is an experienced educator with a strong background in special education, curriculum development, and assistive technology.
With a Master of Education from Boston College, Mike brings over seven years of classroom experience, primarily working with secondary transition students with severe disabilities and medical complexities. As a Special Education Teacher in Boston Public Schools, Mike developed and executed innovative strategies to support diverse learners.

Essential Tools for Teaching the Music Braille Code with APH

Duration: 45 mins
Presenter: Laura Zierer

Description Explore tools for teaching the music braille code with Laura Zierer, APH’s Education and Arts Product Manager.
Laura will introduce classroom-ready music instruction tools for students who are blind or low vision. Including:

  • Feel the Beat introduces braille readers to braille music at the same time that their sighted peers begin reading music in print -- usually around third or fourth grade.
  • Music Braille Wheel: Quickly identify music braille notes and their print counterpart – an ideal resource for any student, instructor, or parent, who is not familiar with the music braille code.

Join us to discover these and other innovative music resources!

Watch Recording
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Laura Zierer
Education and Arts Product Manager | American Printing House for the Blind (APH)

Laura is the Education and Arts Product Manager at American Printing House for the Blind. She has developed products relating to independent living, orientation and mobility, English language arts, and the Music Braille Code. Laura holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.

Bridges Break -- Clicker

Assimilate Ideas for your Student’s STEM/Biology Education

Join APH’s Science & Health Product Manager, Dr. Rosanne Hoffmann, to learn about three APH (American Printing House for the Blind) STEM kits:

  • Build-A-Cell,
  • the DNA-RNA Kit,
  • and the Protein Synthesis Kit.

See how these rich curricular resources will enhance the STEM education of blind or visually impaired students.

Date: Wednesday, December 7th

Time: 3:00 pm ET | 2:00 pm CT | 12:00 pm PT

Duration: 25 mins

Presenter: Victor Lajeunesse, Dr. Rosanne Hoffmann (Science and Health Product Manager, APH)

Register here

Watch our past webinars on-demand - anytime, anywhere.

Alternate Access

Duration: 45 mins
Presenter: Nada Jorna, Bogdan Pospielovsky

Eye gaze can deliver access and engagement for students with the most profound and complex challenges. See how the latest updates to Bridge’s EyeLearn, the eyegaze system built for schools, with new eye tracking technology, is changing the lives of students. In this presentation you’ll see: 

  • New Look Lab software: super engaging eye gaze activity with 38 fun accessible games and creative activities, including music making. For users of any age but particularly for teens and older students, looking to build and hone their access skills and independence.
  • EyeLearn adapting on the fly to different students with a wide range of abilities
  • Example students who’s EyeLearn systems have had profound effect on their learning
  • How you too can gain profound new insights into the potential of students with complex communication and cognitive challenges
Watch recording
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Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration: 25 mins

Powerful classroom participation for children with complex and profound physical and cognitive challenges is possible with simple light tech. Join expert trainer and classroom accessibility ninja, Kim Mitchell as she shares THOUSANDS of ideas (...well maybe not thousands. Bridges Breaks are just 20 minutes… Let’s just say A LOT) for your classroom with a Powerlink, All Turn It Spinner and switch adapted toys.

  • water plants
  • make confetti
  • play games
  • cooking
  • cleaning

She’ll show you how easy it is to adapt your own toys and what to look for in choosing toys for switch use, making common classroom tasks switch accessible so everyone can participate.

Watch recoding

Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration: 22 minutes

Stories, games, jokes, science experiments, songs – yes one button can do so much. Single message communication aids are gateways to participation and genuine engagement in the classroom… in life! In 22 minutes, learn how to get the most out of these amazing and underrated workhorses of AT: Step-by-Steps, Big Mac’s, Choice.

  • What are all those little holes on the back for?
  • What goes in?
  • What do you connect out?
  • And what’s the best knock, knock joke ever?

Classroom and daily activities for story telling, counting, measurement, singing (but as Kim will tell you “This Kim Mitchell don’t sing,”) and more. Connect, hack and adapt, quickly and simply to bring together communication and action for some profound participation.

Watch recording
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Controlling PC’s, Chromebooks, iPads, toys, even plug-in appliances with a switch is a lot easier than you think. Join AT specialist Kim Mitchell as she shows you how switch interfaces can maximize the power of switches.

 See the Switch Click, Crick interface, Hitch, Blue 2, Tapio and more and come away empowered to make good decisions about how to connect a switch.

Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration: 22 minutes

Watch recording
Switches

Connect with the world and make learning real with the mighty switch! Join us as AT specialist Kim Mitchell uncovers the amazing, underappreciated power of switches. You’ll see a variety of different switches for the classroom in action – no profile, waterproof/freeze proof, proximity and wireless – to run toys, communication devices, iPads, computers and more.

Plus tips and tricks, trouble shooting and even playing X-box games with 6 switches all in 22 minutes!

Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration: 22 minutes

Watch recording

Need to mount an iPad on a classroom table or desk?

Want to secure a switch for access from a wheelchair or on a student tray?

Join us for this series of Bridges Break’s to learn more about easy to implement, flexible, off-the-shelf mounting solutions ideal for busy classrooms. The right mount delivers positioning, stability and visibility that’s critical for successful communication and access. Whether you need a mobile solution for different students, or something for short periods for skill building, or a combination, we’ll sort through arms, clamps and plates so you can choose the best option for your classroom.

Presenter: Claire Zeijdel
Duration: 22 minutes

Part 1: 

Mounting Made Easy for light devices and switches

Watch recording

Part 2: 

Mounting Made
Easy for iPads

Watch recording

Part 3:

Mounting Made Easy: MOGO –
build your own light mounts 

Watch recording

Early Learning

Duration: 25 mins
Presenter: Kim Mitchell

For years HelpKidzLearn has been teachers’ and parents’ goto for accessible game-based learning.
Enabling children of all abilities to play, develop and achieve, the subscription site has dozens of fun switch, touch and eye gaze ready activities.

Join Kim on a tour of the NEW, enhanced HKL:

  • 200 plus games and activities
  • NEW Inclusive stories backed by a wealth of support materials
  • Assessment materials/forms
  • Symbols to support AAC
  • Cross Curricular ideas
  • Printable crafts, flashcard, colouring pages and more
  • New license management hub
Watch recording

Join us for a free webinar to learn about the exciting new version of ChooseIt Maker. The newly updated version for 2021 has a new and streamlined editor and allows for easy creation of activities that are relevant and inclusive for all learners.

Turn photographs, symbols, text and sounds into:
- Engaging cause and effect activities
- Helpful question and answer activities
- Fun-filled games
- Simple quizzes and more...

Duration: 60 mins
Presenter: Kim Mitchell

Watch Recording

Duration: 53 mins
Presenter: Ian Loughlin, Inclusive Technology

Join us to dive into the latest innovations and enhancements to HelpKidzLearn by Inclusive. In addition to wealth of recent new content, HKL, the go-to site for accessible, engaging learning for children with complex instructional needs – is adding groundbreaking tools and features:

  • Personalized Playlists: organized and structured learning experiences tailored to specific goals or themes.
  • User Analytics: data-driven insights empowering educators with valuable information to track progress and adapt strategies effectively.
  • HKL Hub: a one-stop destination for seamless navigation and access to a wide range of educational resources and games.
  • Profiles: customizable, personalized learning allowing educators and parents to tailor activities to each child's unique needs and preferences.
  • New Website: revamped with a user-friendly interface and enhanced functionality for smoother interaction and exploration.
  • And MORE!

Presented by Inclusive's Ian Loughlin, don't miss out on this opportunity to discover how HelpKidzLearn can elevate the learning journey for children with diverse and complex needs.

Watch Recording
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Ian Loughlin
Information Manager | Inclusive Technology

Ian is the Information Manager at Inclusive Technology the developer of HelpKidzLearn. Ian has over 19 years supporting technology in education and ten years at Inclusive Technology, he has developed specialized knowledge in assistive technology, particularly eye gaze and iPad switch access.
He supplies product information for the very latest assistive technology hardware and software and has presented at various conferences and exhibitions throughout the UK and abroad.

Duration: 40 mins
Presenter: Bogdan Pospielovsky

Engaging accessible activities can stimulate learning even for our most difficult to reach students. Technologies with easy, innovative and flexible accessibility options are key – eliminating barriers can generate profound learning experiences through fun and play. 

We’ll look at:

Motivating, engaging activities, but generating the data necessary to allow educators to build on engagement for real learning.

Watch Recording
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Literacy

Clicker

We’ve explored Clicker Writer, as a support for emergent and early conventional writers who access curricular activities on a Chromebook or iPad.

Now Clicker Books and Clicker Talk are available as part of your Clicker license.

Join us to explore the reading, writing, listening and speaking activities that the new additions to this suite of Clicker apps deliver.

In Clicker books, we’ll demonstrate ready-made and customizable books for read-aloud and silent reading, as well as how to create your own books from scratch.

Finally, we’ll explore Talk templates for vocabulary development, sequencing of ideas or events, pre-writing oral brainstorming and development of presentation skills. And just like with Clicker Writer all files can be easily shared from teacher to student.

Duration: 25 mins
Presenter: Susie Blackstien-Adler

Watch recording

Presenter: Susie Blackstien-Adler
Duration: 22 minutes

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Meet Clicker Writer

New to Clicker Writer? See how you can make writing tasks fun and accessible for every learner with this series of 3 succinct webinars featuring the child-friendly word processor for iPads and Chromebooks.

In 22 minutes, get a tour of the interface, writing grids that can be created by teachers (and students too), and customization for a wide range of learning and access needs. Plus tonnes of ready-made free activities.

Watch Recording

Clicker Writer Templates: Sentence sets, Connect sets and Word Banks

Part 2 of our series on Clicker Writer, join us for 22 minutes to see how to create activities with templates that scaffold literacy instruction for emergent to early conventional writers: Sentence Sets, Connect Sets and Word Banks. Plus a peek at creating and editing grids including ones for curricular content areas.

Watch Recording

Clicker Writer Analyze This!
Sharing Docs and Using Data

Third in our series, join us to experience how easy it is to create and share grids in Clicker Writer with students: through One Drive or Google Drive. See Clicker Writer’s virtuous cycle of sharing; when student share back, powerful analytics are engaged, tracking supports used and student progress so teachers can fine tune literacy instruction.

Watch Recording

Présentatrice: Emily Anctil-Lamarre

Découvrez comment les outils inclusifs de lecture et d'écriture de Clicker permettent à chaque enfant de surmonter les obstacles à l'acquisition de la littératie. Lors de cette session Bridges Break, Emily démontrera comment Clicker facilite la création de supports pédagogiques personnalisés pour tous les apprenants, simplifiant la planification, l’écriture et la révision, quel que soit le défi d’apprentissage.

Ce que vous apprendrez :

  • Aidez les jeunes écrivains à s’épanouir en construisant des phrases pas à pas grâce aux ensembles Clicker, aux banques de mots et aux cartes mentales.
  • Favorisez la compréhension et enrichissez le vocabulaire avec des supports visuels et symboliques.
  • Renforcez la confiance en révision avec des outils comme le retour vocal, le correcteur orthographique vocalisé et le prédicteur de mots.
  • Améliorez les compétences en expression orale, en écoute et en lecture grâce à des contenus accessibles à tous.
  • Obtenez des analyses précises et suivez même l’utilisation de l’application Clicker.

Avec son design neutre en termes d’âge et ses options d’accessibilité complètes (incluant le contrôle par contacteurs et par suivi oculaire), Clicker offre une solution idéale pour les élèves confrontés à divers défis, tels que les troubles cognitifs ou développementaux, les problèmes sensoriels ou l’autisme.
Rejoignez-nous pour découvrir comment Clicker peut transformer l’apprentissage de la littératie pour chaque enfant !

Regarder l'enregistrement
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Presenter: Iain Wallace

Clicker’s inclusive reading and writing tools enable every child to overcome barriers to literacy.
 In this Bridges Break, Iain will show how Clicker makes it easier than ever to create personalized literacy supports across the curriculum - from planning, to writing, to proofing -- regardless of learning challenges:

  • Jump-start emergent writers: build sentences word-by-word, scaffolding with Word Banks and Mind maps.
  • Support meaning and build vocabulary with picture and symbol support
  • Build confidence in editing with speech feedback, talking spell checker and word predictor.
  • Boost speaking, listening and reading skills through curriculum content accessible for all.
  • With its age neutral presentation and a complete suite of accessibility options including switch and eye gaze, Clicker delivers a suite of supports ideal for a range of students with challenges, including cognitive/developmental, sensory issues and autism.

With its age neutral presentation and a complete suite of accessibility options including switch and eye gaze, Clicker delivers a suite of supports ideal for a range of students with challenges, including cognitive/developmental, sensory issues and autism.

Watch Recording
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Kurzweil 3000

Writing shouldn’t be a marathon. Sprint through essays, reports and all sorts of assignments with K3000 writing supports. From jot notes and research, to sentences, paragraphs and done – neat, quick, and stress free. In 20 minutes we’ll run through the organizational tools, templates, integration with cloud storage and MS Office that makes writing with K3000 so much easier and faster.

Duration: 25 mins
Presenter: Dina Jalali

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For Chrome, Firefox, or Edge the K3000 web extension’s array of tools are what you need to read and study directly in your web browser and crush virtually all web text.
Learning management systems (LMS) -- D2L, Moodle, Canvas – are no match for K3000’s Read the Web feature. Join us and in 20 minutes we’ll show you how to take on any web text and win.

Duration: 25 mins
Presenter: Dina Jalali

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Inaccessible text can feel like putting a classroom on top of Mount Everest. K3000 is your elevator up Everest.
In 20 minutes we’ll show you how K3000 delivers the power to a student to conquer any format and make text accessible

  • printed material with a phone
  • a website
  • digital text to Audio

And more! Join us to learn just how easy Kurzweil 3000 makes it.

Duration: 25 mins
Presenter: Dina Jalali

Watch recording

Duration: 20 mins
Presenter: Dina Jalali

K3000 test taking tools ensure testing integrity while giving students the access they need for effective, hassle-free response. In 20 minutes we’ll show how with Kurzweil you can:

  • lock down test documents
  • lock out students from specific tools
  • plus study tools for effective test taking.
Watch recording

Readtopia

Come and spend time with one of the creators of ReadtopiaGO—the exciting new comprehensive early literacy curriculum specifically created for young emergent learners. Listen in as Maureen Donnelly describes how ReadtopiaGO incorporates all elements of an emergent literacy program to include all students, regardless of learning challenges. See, for yourself, the engaging learning materials that reflect the rich diversity of learners.

Drawn from the work of Drs. Erickson & Koppenhaver in Comprehensive Literacy for All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write (2019), ReadtopiaGO provides educators with everything they need to deliver four years of age-appropriate, engaging, and evidence-based literacy instruction.

ReadtopiaGo features:

  • Daily instructional guidance to help adults deliver instruction effectively and easily
  • Evidence-based literacy instruction reflective of the latest literacy research
  • Engaging content that is comprehensive, emergent, and aligned with what we know about how young learners learn to read and write
  • Layers of repetition with variety to ensure that literacy skills are developed and integrated meaningfully
  • Diverse topics that include science, social studies, social emotional learning, and life skills so that learners have opportunities to deepen their knowledge of the world and build their literacy skills at the same time

Join us to learn how you can support ALL students on their journey toward comprehensive literacy.

Presenters: Maureen Donnelly, Christy McDonald

Watch the Recording

Duration: 60 mins

How do you teach literacy to students with complex needs and a wide range of ability levels, all in one classroom or learning at home? Readtopia is a complete set of web delivered instructional materials that make it easy to teach, guide and support students no matter where they are.

Join this webinar to learn how educators across Canada are teaching literacy with Readtopia!

Learn about:

  • the components of Readtopia
  • engaging topics and video for students from upper elementary to high school
  • detailed curriculum guide for each unit that provides scripted lessons and a systematic approach
  • leveled graphic novels and informational text to support students from an emergent to a conventional reading level
  • assessment tools to measure progress and inform instruction
  • a thematic approach that connects literacy with social studies, science, math, and functional life skills
  • tips for delivering lessons and materials through remote learning
  • success stories of increased student engagement and achievement
WATCH RECORDING

Presenter: Christy McDonald
Duration: 25 mins

Educators understand that all students require a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment to succeed.  Those with complex learning challenges must have access to the instruction, materials and tools they need to access the same learning opportunities as their peers. 

Join us to learn about how Readtopia, the comprehensive literacy program for students with complex learning needs, supports equity, diversity and inclusion for ALL students.

Learn about:

  • the wide range of topics that are included in Readtopia to engage and empower all learners
  • the student materials that were carefully designed to meet the widest range of student needs
  • how learning resources have been developed so students see themselves represented in different ways
  • the strategies and supports provided for educators

Don’t miss out on learning how you can ensure that your students with diverse learning abilities have the opportunities to reach new heights in their learning.

Watch recording

Presenters: Christy McDonald
Duration: 1 hour

Wondering how to ensure that your students with diverse learning challenges receive an evidenced based literacy program? Join us to learn about the significant impacts Readtopia is having on a classroom in Brandon Manitoba.

Therese Shamray will share how she implemented Readtopia—the comprehensive literacy curriculum for students with complex learning needs – in her elementary special education class. See the lessons and materials in action as she describes this exciting three year journey for her students and herself, exploring literature, science, social studies, math, and functional life skills. Engaged, excited and progressing beyond everyone’s imaginations, her students have developed critical literacy skills -- phonics, comprehension, vocabulary -- and knowledge.

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Switches

Duration: 45 minutes
Presenters: John McDonald, Christy McDonald

John McDonald, a teacher of a high school life skills classroom in Ontario, implemented Readtopia -- a comprehensive program of literacy instruction for students with complex needs. The positive impacts on both students and educators alike were immediate and profound and continued to grow.

Join us as we explore and share his experiences with Readtopia:

  • Hear the success stories that have inspired other educators in the district to believe that ALL students can learn to read and write!
  • See how Readtopia’s materials with scaffolded supports, interesting topics, and evidence-based strategies provided everything educators needed to deliver comprehensive literacy instruction to learners, aged 14 – 21 years.
  • Learn about the impact the cross-curricular topics and in-depth levelled materials had on the engagement, confidence, enjoyment, and progress of not only the learners but the educators, too!
Watch recording
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When students are provided with all of the components of a comprehensive literacy program, all students can learn to read and write!
Some students will require additional supports to ensure they, too, have access to reading and writing opportunities. In this webinar, we will explore strategies and tools that help teachers to build engagement in their students, and help students to gain access and independence while learning to read and write.

Join us to hear about the impact these strategies and tools have had on students and teachers, in elementary and secondary schools in Brandon Manitoba.

Watch Recording
The webinar: Unlocking Literacy-How to Engage All Learners on May 23rd at 3pm EST
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Jan Pilling, M.Sc., RSLP, CCC-SLP
Brandon School District

Jan Pilling is a Speech Language Pathologist who has worked in the field for over 25 years.  She is passionate about working with students who have complex communication needs and who utilize augmentative/alternative communication systems. She works in the Brandon School Division and in addition to her SLP role and provides training, and support for students to access communication systems and assistive technology across the school division. She coordinates professional development for educators to increase accessibility for ALL learners.

Widgit

Join our AT Specialist Kim Mitchell as she talks about working with the web-based Widgit Online to quickly create symbolized materials for a wide range of users of all abilities. 

With Widgit Online, support learning and communication by creating symbol documents, flashcards, activities, and time tables right from your web browser, meaning there's no software for you to install or update! Choose from over 70 templates and over 18,000 symbols - including Canadian English and French vocabulary - to create communication boards, visual schedules, stories, labels and much more.

Duration:
30 min.

WATCH RECORDING

Creating effective, relevant materials for supporting students with cognitive and learning challenges, easily is something educators still need, every day, even in the most wired-up classrooms. Visual schedules, communication boards, letter supports, vocabulary cards, social scripts, quick books, work sheets – classroom teams need to be able to make new, share or edit existing materials fast and easily. Even better is being able to make these materials in over 80 languages, adapting to diverse Canadian classrooms.

Join Kim and Iain as they show you how Widgit Online (WO) is purpose built to make stuff that you print for your class with little fuss. Quickly translate an communication grid or worksheet into another language such as Ukranian, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, Spanish and so many more. Create documents and grids in French with ease. Whether using WO’s enormous symbol set, students’ own pictures, or images from the net, find out why classrooms across Canada are discovering how straightforward making and sharing powerful visual materials can be and are switching to Widgit Online.

Duration: 30 min.

WATCH RECORDING
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Duration: 45 mins
Presenter:  Rebecca Lynch, Leanne Husk

Direct from the UK, Rebecca Lynch from Widgit shares insights, tips, tricks and stories for the super easy, web-based, symbol resource creator, Widgit Online.

  • implementing diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Supporting curriculum learning
  • Making and sharing with the top 3 templates

Used not just in schools but in wayfinding, signage and healthcare, Rebecca will share how to create materials with Widgit symbols for engaging and clear communication and learning for all.

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Rebecca Lynch
Symbol and Education Specialist | Widgit Software

Rebecca is a qualified primary school teacher with over 14 years’ experience. She worked for 10 years in mainstream and 4 years as primary and communication lead at an autism specialist setting for 4 – 19-year-olds. This is where she discovered Widgit Symbols and the power that they have to open up a world of communication.

In her role at Widgit, Rebecca endeavours to create high quality resources which aid communication, understanding, and curriculum, as well as supporting school staff and parents through training sessions.

Presenter: Emily Anctil-Lamarre

Rejoignez-nous pour un webinar passionnant sur les nouvelles fonctionnalités de Widgit Online !

Découvrez comment utiliser l’interface en français, créer des documents de symboles personnalisés, et explorer plus de 70 modèles disponibles. Nous vous montrerons comment créer facilement des cartes de communication, des histoires, des jeux éducatifs, et bien plus encore.

Apprenez à utiliser la synthèse vocale de haute qualité et à partager vos créations avec vos proches.

Que vous travailliez sur PC, Mac ou Chromebook, Widgit Online vous offre une expérience conviviale et entièrement bilingue. Inscrivez-vous maintenant pour découvrir toutes ces nouveautés.

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Emily Anctil-Lamarre
Gestionnaire de compte, Québec et provinces de l’Atlantique | Bridges Canada

Emily est gestionnaire de compte pour le Québec, les provinces de l'Atlantique et les clients francophones de l'Ontario chez Bridges.
Titulaire d'une maîtrise en orthophonie de l'Université de Montréal, elle a travaillé dans des institutions renommées comme l'IUGM et l'Hôpital Général de Montréal.
Elle a également acquis une expertise technologique chez Shopify, en tant que spécialiste produit pour les commerçants francophones. Emily parle couramment le français, l'anglais, l'espagnol et le portugais, et s'engage à améliorer l'accessibilité pour les personnes ayant des défis de communication.
Elle est enthousiaste à l'idée de collaborer avec divers partenaires pour promouvoir les solutions de Bridges.

Alinea

Pour les professionnels actifs auprès d’élèves souffrant de dyslexie, de dysorthographie ou d’autres difficultés en matière de lecture, d’écriture et de langue, nous proposons une solution complète destinée à faciliter la lecture, l’écriture et l’étude du français, de l’anglais et d’autres langues: Alinea. 

Avec la suite Alinea, vous disposez d’outils puissants et simples d’utilisation à portée de main, où que vous vous trouviez. En outre, ils sont compatibles avec l’ensemble des plateformes populaires, et ce, sur tous les programmes Windows : Word, PowerPoint, Excel et Outlook. Alinea propose une aide à l’écriture en français, en anglais et en allemand, ainsi qu’un soutien à la lecture dans pas moins de 33 langues (à travers l’application de lecture Alinea). Par ailleurs, une technologie de synthèse vocale (avec reconnaissance optique des caractères) est intégrée à l’ensemble de la suite Alinea.

Girl working on a laptop, writing a paper

Pendant ce webinaire, vous en apprendrez davantage sur ce qui suit:

L’application Alinea (iOS et Android): pour une synthèse vocale sous le signe de la simplicité : 1) Choisissez votre texte, 2) Prenez une photo, 3) Lancez la lecture à voix haute.

• Le logiciel Alinea (Windows) et Alinea dans le Cloud (Chrome): pour une lecture à voix haute de textes, une fonction d’écriture avec prédiction des mots, un correcteur, des activités de compréhension à la lecture avec images, des dictionnaires traductifs et explicatifs (avec conjugaison des verbes), des documents pour la lecture et l’écriture au format PDF et des outils pour faire des résumés, etc.

• Alinea Web2Speech (extension Chrome): lecture compréhensive et aide à l’étude sur des supports tels que des sites Internet, des documents sur Google Docs et des e-mails sur Gmail. 

Durée: séance explicative de 90 minutes, suivie de questions/réponses. En tout, le webinaire devrait durer maximum 120 minutes
Duration:
120 min.

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Présentateurs invités:

Frank Allemeersch 

Frank est le cofondateur de Sensotec et occupe la fonction de responsable général et de directeur de la R&D. À ses débuts, dans les années 1980, l’entreprise travaillait principalement dans le domaine des solutions pour les personnes souffrant de déficiences visuelles. Ces dernières années, Frank a dirigé l’élaboration de KNFB Reader, une application triplement récompensée. Père d’une fille dyslexique, il connait personnellement les défis auxquels doivent faire face les personnes rencontrant des problèmes de lecture ou d’apprentissage.

Steave Ahokou

Consultant pour Sensotec au sein de la région néerlandophone de Belgique et aide les personnes qui peinent à lire et à apprendre ainsi que leurs parents, professeurs et thérapeutes.

Laurent Oger

Consultant pour Sensotec au sein de la région francophone de Belgique et s’adresse aux individus souffrant d’une déficience visuelle et de difficultés en matière de lecture et d’apprentissage.

Multisensory

Presenter: Victor Lajeunesse, Leanne Husk
Duration: 30 mins

Bridges is thrilled to announce the launch of Luminea interactive sensory tools!

Sensory spaces have undeniably proven to be one of the most effective ways of supporting individuals who struggle with sensory integration, regulation and a variety of physical, mental and cognitive challenges, supporting choice making, sensory stimulation, communication, self-regulation, anxiety control, turn taking and more.

While multisensory experiences can be incredibly helpful for individuals with complex challenges, sensory room equipment is often not accessible.

With Luminea participants are no longer passive end users but can interact, control, even customize sensory environments with switches, eye gaze, virtually any alternative access.

The turnkey, plug-and-play Luminea corners make it easy to create fully accessible sensory environments in minutes.

Join us for an up-close look at all that Luminea has to offer, and how easy it is to add interactive sensory experiences to your space!

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Kid using the Luminea bubble tube

A well-designed multisensory space engages users with comprehensive and impactful experiences that are both regulated and controllable. But no one knows what an individual needs more than the individual themselves. That’s why Qinera ensured that their Luminea line of beautiful, impeccably fashioned sensory technology was accessible by design.

Join us to discover the multitude of ways that individuals of all abilities can control their multisensory experiences with Luminea. Incorporating a variety of popular access methods like switches, joysticks and eye gaze, we’ll explore fun and engaging elements and activities.

Duration: 25 mins

Presenter: Leanne Husk

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Multisensory spaces deliver benefits from regulating anxiety to fostering communication for a range of settings.

Join us as we explore six key benefits of multisensory experiences, enhancing the development of important skills and strategies essential for well-being.

In just 25 minutes we’ll show you how fully accessible Luminea elements can meet the needs of every user.

Duration: 25 mins

Presenter: Leanne Husk

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Duration: 40 mins 
Presenter: Leanne Husk

Combining real-world, sensory experiences with curricular goals is a proven instructional strategy.
But connecting real life experiences that reflect and reinforce learning for children with complex learning challenges – cognitive, communication, physical access – can be extremely difficult.

In this Bridges Break, we’ll look at an array of tools that connect sensory, physical experiences with instruction to achieve truly engaging classroom instruction:

  • debug’d Coding for cooperative STEM learning with popular fun coding robots.
  • Inclusive Stories that explicitly connect classroom sensory tools to curricular and important social narratives and activities, accessible to all students.
  • Sensory tools for the classroom: light, vibration, audio and physical interactions to make student learning broaden into engaging opportunities.

Join us for a quick 30 minutes of real classroom stories, tips and tricks and the latest in assistive tech and apps.  

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STEM

Presenter: Leanne Husk
Duration: 30 mins

Learn how debug’d supported coding instruction in special and general education classrooms in an Ontario school district.

Coding is increasingly being included in classroom instruction. However, its role in teaching daily-living skills and cultivating essential soft skills, so vital for independence, is under-recognized.

Students with language, learning, or cognitive difficulties are often unable to participate actively or meaningfully in classroom coding activities; yet these students often have the most to gain.

In this session you’ll see how using a UDL approach and co-design with educators, clinicians and students ensured success for everyone.

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Switches

Presenter: Leanne Husk
Duration: 25 mins

New school year. New curricular expectations.

As coding continues to become more and more embedded into the fabric of learning, we want to help support our educators, so they feel confident about bringing these important new learning opportunities to ALL their students!

Whether you’re new to coding or a seasoned expert, debug’d ensures educators can not only cover the expectations, but that EVERY student in their classroom, regardless of ability, can meaningfully engage, participate and have FUN while learning to code (and coding to learn!).

With 4 kits to choose from, debug’d now includes one that allows students to become inventors and creators!

Take a break and join us to discover how easy it can be with our UDL designed coding curricula, debug’d!

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ALL students deserve a quality math program that ensures active and meaningful participation. Teachers need support to successfully teach math to students with mild to severe physical, cognitive and sensory challenges. Learn how the NEW Equals 3.0 math curriculum delivers:

* Guided comprehensive lessons with links to the real world,
* Leveled materials and strategies for all students,
* Repetition with variety through practice and application,
* Hands-on participation and meaningful learning with built in assistive tech strategies and a wide range of manipulatives,
* Assessment to make placement decisions and track progress,
* Equals Technology Lesson Centre,
* and more.

Duration: 60 mins.

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Blind/Low Vision

An all-in-one solution that wirelessly connects directly to an iPad, the MagniLink WifiCam delivers outstanding image quality for reading and distance, combined with an iPad -- engaging even reluctant students.

Join Kimberly Cline from LVI as she takes us on a deep dive of the smart features in the hardware and the included MagniLink Viewer app.

  • Full control over magnification, artificial colors, image splitting, guiding lines, OCR, image storing, video recording and more.
  • Easy setup – download the app, pair the MagniLink WifiCam and you’re good to go.
  • A flexible camera arm and integrated iPad stand.
  • The MagniWifi, an external box for connecting an iPad to MagniLink cameras you already have.

Whether your students are already using iPads for a vision enhancement solution or you’re looking for a mobile, portable classroom viewer, join us to discover the power of the MagniLink WifiCam.

Duration: 1 hour
Presenters:
Kimberly Cline, Victor Lajeunesse

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Please join Tristan Pierce, product manager with APH, to explore ways students can make sense of the world when they cannot gather information visually or haptically. She will share information about this group of learners and information on products from APH to engage them.

Duration: 1 hour

Presenter: Tristan Pierce, Victor Lajeunesse

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Join APH’s Science & Health Product Manager, Dr. Rosanne Hoffmann, to learn about three APH (American Printing House for the Blind) STEM kits:

  • Build-A-Cell,
  • the DNA-RNA Kit,
  • and the Protein Synthesis Kit.

Duration: 1 hour

Presenter: Victor Lajeunesse, Rosanne Hoffman (APH), Jim Sullivan (APH), Lara Kirwan (APH)

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Learning concepts through art activities is at every student’s fingertips. The audience will learn to think outside the box on ways to use tactile-drawing products to make concepts come to life for visually impaired students. Karen will explore meaningful, engaging, and creative ways to teach a variety of concepts to tactile learners.

Duration: 1 hour

Presenter: Victor Lajeunesse, Karen J Poppe (APH)

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Hosted by Kimberly Cline, LVI’s Director of Sales for North America, this webinar will review the features of the MagniLink S, including near and distance viewing, the optional text-to-speech, and many other features that will help enrich your student’s learning by providing easy and efficient access their materials.

Date: Wednesday, November 9th

Time: 3:00 pm ET | 2:00 pm CT | 12:00 pm PT

Duration: 25 mins

Presenter: Victor Lajeunesse, Kimberly Cline (Director of Sales NA, LVI)

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Discover the next generation video magnifiers that are enhanced for in classroom or distance learning. This session will review functionality, tips and strategies for classroom or workplace

  • Internet connectivity for remote learning
  • Working in the Google environment
  • Magnifying objects at a distance like whiteboards and presentation
  • Editing saved documents 

Plus a sneak peek into new features coming soon!

Duration:
60 mins.

WATCH RECORDING
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Duration: 60 mins
Presenter: Tristan Pierce of APH

Learners with complex learning needs including a visual impairment, present unique challenges for educators.
But even learners who are minimally responsive and/or have defensive reactions to sensory input can develop their communication skills with the right supports. 

Join Tristan Pierce from APH as she introduces three innovative products that form APH's comprehensive continuum of communication solutions for complex learners with visual impairments.
In this session, Tristan will explore for whom these solutions are designed for, their progression across different learning levels, and instructional strategies for professionals.

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Profile picture of Tristan Pierce from APH

Tristan Pierce
Product Manager | American Printing House for the Blind (APH)

Tristan Pierce has 40 years of experience working in educational publishing, the last 22 years at the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Her job as Product Manager focuses on multiple disabilities and physical education.

Tristan holds a BA in Advertising and French, and an MIA in Intercultural Management. She has worked with scholar athletes from around the world; developed art activities for international children's events; and managed a toddler house in a Haitian orphanage. Tristan coached the Kentucky School for the Blind swim team for 14 years. She works part time with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities at Day Spring Kentucky.

Designing products for learners with multiple disabilities requires knowledge of many diagnostic conditions. Tristan collaborates with specialists who have education and experience in specific areas of special education. Using this team approach, Tristan has guided many products from concept to production.

AAC

With an intuitive design, and a focus on user-friendliness, Mind Express is a powerful and versatile communication software for thousands of users worldwide. In this webinar, Ian Foulger, AAC Manager at Jabbla UK, will explore the features of Mind Express 5 that make it so unique and time saving programming tips, too. Including:

  • ME’s profiles: Individualize profiles contain all the end users preferences and settings and saves them in one place.
  • Adapting pagesets, customising photos, importing files, re-using pages, translating symbol sets… it has never been easier through the new intuitive touch screen friendly interface.
  • Extensive vocabulary set options.
  • Expanded grammar functions and prediction has enormously evolved to a whole new level of accuracy, in French and English.
  • Easily search for word or concept in your communication board
  • Translating pagesets to Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Polish, Ukrainian, Turkish and many other languages
  • Disney+, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Spotify and TikTok integrations that allow you to connect social media straight into Mind Express.

Join Ian Foulger of Jabbla to learn how in Mind Express everything starts with the user.

Duration: 30 mins
Presenters: 
Ian Foulger, Nada Jorna, Leanne Husk

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Jabbla’s Allora 3’s simplicity as a text based AAC device conceals a sophisticated thoughtful design and advanced engineering. Join us as Ian Foulger of Jabbla takes a deep dive into the Allora 3.

  • Easy programming of abbreviation expansion
  • Touch screen: Select a prediction directly by touching the screen or via keyboard
  • Bluetooth smart phone connectivity
  • Bilingual French and English out of the box
  • Powerful multi-lingual options including translation, make it ideal for travel and multi-cultural environments
  • Ingenious multi-function keyguards

Learn how the Allora delivers its legendary reliability, and intuitive clear communication in English, French and other languages.

Duration: 1 hour
Presenters:
Ian Foulger

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The new Mind Express 5 has combined the power of Mind Express 4 with an interface that puts user experience at its forefront. Whether you are a new or an experienced user, Mind Express 5 can be set up and ready to use within minutes with:

  • Ready-made page sets and templates
  • Simple user portal with easily accessible essentials
  • Improved customization (remote editing available)
  • Online library of resources
  • and more

Join us for an exclusive online session with Claire and Mathilde from Jabbla to learn more about the new Mind Express 5.

Duration: 60 mins.

WATCH RECORDING
Girl on device using Mind Express

Nous sommes ravis de vous présenter les ressources papiers et électroniques PODD français.

Animatrices: Mathilde Suc-Mella, PODD formatrice certifiée, et Mathilde Mathys, Account Manager chez Jabbla.

Pendant le webinaire, les deux Mathildes montreront comment accéder, personnaliser et utiliser les ensembles de pages PODD dans Mind Express.

Mathilde SUC-MELLA

Enseignante de formation, elle s’est professionnalisée dans le champ de la Communication alternative et améliorée (CAA) après l’avoir expérimenté de première main avec son fils aîné, porteur d’un Syndrome d’Angelman. Après le diagnostic de son fils aîné en 2009, elle a suivi de nombreuses formations, principalement à l’étranger, auprès d’experts reconnus internationalement. Elle s’est spécialisée dans l’approche PODD, qui existe depuis de nombreuses années, mais qui n’est connue que depuis peu en France. Mathilde SUC-MELLA s’est formée à plusieurs reprises auprès de son inventrice australienne Gayle PORTER et est la première formatrice PODD certifiée en France, habilitée à délivrer les formations PODD en français. Elle s’est vue confier l’adaptation des ressources PODD en langue française.

Mathilde Mathys

Account Manager chez Jabbla. Elle a étudié les langues romanes à la VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), où l’accent était mis sur la linguistique et la littérature françaises et espagnoles. Active depuis 12 ans chez Jabbla, une société qui développe des solutions spécialisées dans le domaine de la CAA, entre autres le logiciel de communication Mind Express, elle s’occupe du marché

Le 6 mai à 9h30 HAE
La durée 1h

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Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration:
22 mins

Stories, games, jokes, science experiments, songs – yes one button can do so much. Single message communication aids are gateways to participation and genuine engagement in the classroom… in life!

 In 22 minutes, learn how to get the most out of these amazing and underrated workhorses of AT: Step-by-Steps, Big Mac’s, Choice. 

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Student showing how to using yellow push button

Duration: 45 mins
Presenters: 
Michael Hull (Abilia), Sara Säterstam (Abilia), Nada Jorna, Iain Wallace

Experience the revolutionary LightWriter SL50. Embark on a journey to rediscover the LightWriter as we unveil its stunning redesign. It's time to fall in love with this innovative device all over again.

Unveil the remarkable features of the LightWriter SL50, including:

  • Lighter! Shedding over 100 grams compared to the SL40.
  • Illuminated Keys and Screen: Perfect for low-light and dark environments.
  • Enhanced Menu Structure.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: for phone calls and text messaging.
  • Built-in 1 or 2 Switch Scanning.
  • Comprehensive Keyguard Selection: Offering three different options.
  • Hassle-Free Backup: Easily back up your data to USB.
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Join us for an exclusive online session hosted by Sara, representing the manufacturer Abilia, in collaboration with Bridges. Dive deeper into the exciting world of the new LightWriter SL50 and unlock its potential for enhanced communication.
In addition, we are thrilled to have Michael from Abilia tech support join us during the webinar. He will be available in the chat to address all your inquiries/support questions and share invaluable tips for optimizing the LightWriter SL50's capabilities.

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Date: Wednesday, 30th October, 2024 
Time: 12:00PM ET, 11:00AM CT, 9:00AM PT
Presenter: Gil Roth

Everyone deserves the opportunity to fully engage in the digital world. For AAC users, who often face barriers to social interaction, online platforms offer invaluable possibilities—yet many remain just out of reach. 
Join-In changes that. By seamlessly integrating accessibility layers into popular apps and websites, Join-In empowers AAC users to navigate the digital space with confidence. It provides a consistent, user-friendly interface that adapts to various access methods and literacy levels. The latest updates to Join-In help users gradually build their digital skills, focusing on what matters most to them at each stage.

Join-In supports a wide range of apps, including:

  • Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, TikTok, WhatsApp
  • Streaming: Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Kids
  • Productivity: Gmail, Google Meet
  • Gaming: A variety of games for kids and adults

In this webinar, Gil from d-bur, the company behind Join-In, will share user stories of how Join-In has improved communication and quality of life for AAC users around the world. He will also introduce the latest Join-In developments.
Join us to learn about Join-In and how it can transform your digital experience. 

Watch Recording
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Gil Roth
 Co-CEO | d-bur

Dr. Gil Roth is the Co-CEO of d-bur, a company dedicated to enhancing digital accessibility for AAC users and individuals with complex disabilities. d-bur’s flagship product, Join-In, is an innovative solution designed to provide seamless access to popular apps and websites, including WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Google Photos, Instagram, and more. Dr. Roth, who earned a Ph.D. in Operations Research from the Technion, joined d-bur in 2015. Prior to this role, he held VP and EVP positions at various public and private software companies.

Guest Speakers

Susie Blackstein-Adler

Susie Blackstein-Adler

Professional Development Leader @Bridges

Susie leads the professional learning team at Bridges. She has backgrounds in occupational therapy and education and has over thirty years of experience working in the field of augmentative and alternative communication and consulting to classroom teams concerning access to curriculum. She has done research on computer access, the inclusion of students who have complex learning challenges, and accessible coding. Susie provides professional learning on educational and assistive technology both nationally and internationally.

Christy McDonald

Christy McDonald

Manager of Professional Learning @Bridges

Christy McDonald is an educator, and curricular and assistive technology consultant, supporting people with diverse learning needs and those supporting them. She leads the curriculum support team at Bridges Canada and delivers professional development for educators who are implementing educational curricula for students with complex needs. She has developed a series of on-line courses to support teachers and parents in supporting the use of AT features in reading and writing. Christy is part of the Bridges coding team, developing accessible coding experiences for ALL students, using a UDL approach.

Leanne Husk

Leanne Husk

Product Manager @Bridges

Leanne Husk has a background as an educator for students who have complex needs and has certification as a Learning Disabilities Specialist. As a lead instructor for Bridges, she designs and leads workshops and works directly with students and teachers to help them create and implement dynamic and inclusive learning experiences with technology across the curriculum. Leanne first experienced the need for scaffolded instruction and adapted materials when introducing coding to normally developing students. These experiences have been invaluable as she works, in collaboration with OCAD University, supporting Bridges' current initiative - creating inclusive and accessible coding experiences for ALL.

Kim Mitchell

Kim Mitchell

Assistive Technology Support Specialist  @Bridges

Kim has been in the field of assistive technology for 30+ years supporting people with diverse needs using tools such as eye gaze access, augmentative communication systems, tools to support blind and low vision and more. She is certified in many of these tools. Kim has presented in person and virtually to groups nationally and internationally. She is passionate about helping people meet their full potential using technology, both high and low tech, to communicate and participate in all aspects of life.