November 16 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Nanci Shepardson Bio
Session Description
Follow Up Session
Registration
Location
Join us for a comprehensive exploration into the world of assistive technology (AT) and its profound impact on success in school and throughout life. This in person event encompasses two engaging sessions focused on leveraging technology to enhance reading, writing, and executive function skills, particularly for individuals with dyslexia and for those who are teaching them. Participants will discover a range of tools aimed at empowering individuals to demonstrate their knowledge without being hindered by learning challenges.
Additionally, a virtual follow-up session will be held on December 5, 2024, allowing participants to further engage with the content and address any lingering questions.
Earn 2.5 ACT 48, CERI, ALTA, Wilson, IMSLEC contact hours per session, totaling 5 contact hours for both sessions. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to student success through the power of assistive technology.
Nanci Shepardson is a Reading and Educational Specialist. She graduated from Simmons University with an M.S.Ed. in Language and Literacy and an Ed.S. in Assistive Technology.
She is a seasoned teacher, a credentialed K-12 Reading Specialist, and an International Dyslexia Association and Wilson Reading System Dyslexia Practitioner (WRS Level 1 Certified). Nanci has taught preschool, kindergarten, second grade, and fourth grade, was a Reading and Educational Specialist for grades 7 through postgraduate, and has tutored all ages. She consults for the International Dyslexia Association, she is a published author, an advocate for students with disabilities and their families, and is also a professional speaker on dyslexia, language-based disabilities, executive functioning, and assistive technology throughout the country.
As the Director of Accessibility and Assistive Technology Solutions at Wilson Language Training, she works in the Program Development Department. She stays abreast of the current accessibility policies and technological trends and serves as a resource for parents, teachers, and schools on Assistive Technology. Equity and access for all, especially regarding access to research-based reading instruction and assistive technology services, are at the forefront of the work she does. Nanci is also a parent of a grown child with Dyslexia.
Session Descriptions
9:00-11:30 Technology for Accelerating Growth in Reading and Writing
Accessing content in reading and writing is essential for students and for individuals in the workplace, especially those that have dyslexia. Leveraging Assistive Technology (AT) is a research proven process that allows individuals to access and share essential information without being compromised by a learning challenge. Past and current research will be presented along with relevant tools that can be leveraged and accessed immediately.
Participants will explore Text to Speech, Speech to Text, and Word Prediction and leave with a specific list of tools to use in school, at home, and in the workplace, and which teachers can implement with all their students, and especially with those students with dyslexia.
Bring your device(s) to test technology tools in real-time. Nanci will work to help participants navigate the use of the various applications and to answer questions that arise while trying their various features.
This session is geared towards individuals with dyslexia including students in middle school through adults and for the teachers, tutors, and parents who are working with them.
12:30-3:00 The Intersection of Executive Functions and Reading Comprehension: Technology to Support this Merger
The research is clear that Executive Functions (EF) impacts academic progress and reading comprehension in particular. Without intact EF skills, students and adults struggle on many levels, but especially on those skills requiring multiple academic proficiencies.
The goal of this presentation is to equip participants, through hands-on exploration, with technological tools to support and bolster both reading comprehension and executive function skills.
Websites offering scaffolds for comprehension processes will be examined, providing attendees with practical resources to support learning and EF immediately. These include
sites that scaffold morphology skills, decoding skills, and vocabulary concepts. Participants will leave with a hyperlinked document and a link to a Padlet that will provide live links to the tools shared during the presentation.
This session is geared towards individuals with dyslexia from middle school students through adults and for the teachers, tutors, and parents who support them.
Follow Up Session:
You spent the day together on November 16. Now, it’s time for you to go out and try the new tools you explored. Keep track of what works and what poses challenges. You’ll then come together virtually on December 5, 2024, 7-8pm, to share success stories and address roadblocks. Using the interactive posting tool from November 16, Nanci will gather your questions and comments, focusing on the most popular inquiries during this follow-up session.
The Zoom link for this session will be sent to your registration email address on December 3.
Registration:
| Ticket Type | Whole Day Price | Per Session Price |
| General Admission | $50 | $30 |
| Student | $10 | – |
| Current IDA Members | 20% Discount | Contact office@pbida.org for your promo code! |
| Orton Oaks Members | 25% Discount | Contact office@pbida.org for your promo code! |
Register Now!
Registration Terms:
Registrations cannot be transferred.
Cancellations prior to November 1st will result in a $15 processing fee.
Cancellations after November 1st will result in a $15 or 50% processing fee, whichever is greater.
Doors will open for sign in at 8:15am
Lunch will be offered on-site for an additional fee. Please select the add-on during your registration process.