Using Technology to Provide Play Opportunities for Children with Disabilities

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 3:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern Time Zone

Webinar Type: Archive
Webinar Code: AT17-WEB31-AR
Webinar Fee: $39

Overview

Play skills are often under-developed in children with disabilities, affecting their participation in a culturally and developmentally significant age appropriate activity. In addition, appropriate toys and games that encourage independent play are often hard to find. This webinar will demonstrate how iPad apps, eye-gaze software and assistive devices can be used to provide play experiences for children, with varying disabilities. There will be case studies, discussion of relevant professional and ethical dilemmas, and examination of the characteristics of the apps and computer games themselves and whether or not they encourage playfulness and other play traits.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to describe at least three characteristics of play of children with disabilities.
Participants will be able to identify at least 5 apps or software programs to encourage independent play in children with disabilities.
Participants will be able to identify at least 3 characteristics that make play apps accessible to children with disabilities.

Speaker

Dana Cappel

Occupational Therapist

Beit Issie Shapiro

Dana has a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiology and a second Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy both from McGill University, Canada. She has been working as a pediatric occupational therapist since 2000 and at The Special Education School of Beit Issie Shapiro, since 2010, providing direct occupational therapy services in the classroom. Working with children with complex disabilities, a large part of her work consists of identifying and matching appropriate assistive technology to promote the participation of her students in the therapy and learning environments. In 2014 she also joined the staff of the Technology Center at Beit Issie Shapiro, where she continues to spread awareness of the use of technology for people with disabilities. She lectures regularly and provides consultation to families and fellow professionals on how to choose and effectively use assistive technology. In addition, she also teaches in workshops aimed at spreading awareness of and knowledge of how to create apps that are more accessible to people of a wider range of abilities. In 2014 she joined LUDI, a multi-disciplinary European network, whose aims include creating a novel body of knowledge focused on play in children with disabilities, including assessment, intervention and design guidelines.

Speaker Financial Relationship Disclosure: Yes
Speaker Non-Financial Relationship Disclosure: Yes

Strand

Assistive Technology Through Improving Function

Target Audience

Accessibility Professionals, AT Professionals, Educators, Family Members, OTs

Experience Level

Beginner