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Welcome to Access Academy

About Access Academy

Access Academy (formerly #AtHomeWithAPH) is your one-stop resource for the meaningful education and training webinars you need to get the most out of APH products and services. From tutorials on new products and hacks on how to get the most from your beloved tech, to information on resources, services, and programs: our goal is to give you the info you need for home, the classroom, and the workplace.

The majority of Access Academy webinars also provide Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) credit. Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.

Upcoming Access Academy Webinars

All times listed in Eastern Time. This world clock can help provide local equivalents.

  • Title of Webinar
    Determining Appropriate Print Size for Students with Low Vision
    Date
    Monday, January 25th, 2021
    Time
    2:00 – 3:30 PM EST
    Duration
    90 Minutes
    Description
    Do you ever wonder how to determine print size for students? Would you like guidance on how to analyze and document results within the Learning Media Assessment process? Join this webinar and learn how to objectively determine viewing distance and print size using the Decision Making Guide: Guide to Print Size Selection.
    Instructor
    Dr. Amanda Lueck, Professor Emerita at San Francisco State University
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Assessment, ECC (Sensory Efficiency)
    Target Audience
    Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    experience conducting Learning Media Assessment
    Lesson Plan Goal
    Demonstrate use of the Decision Making Guide for assessment purposes.
    Learning Objectives
    Identify components of the Decision Making product kit.
    Describe steps of determining print size and working distance using the Decision Making Guide.
    Examine and differentiate two case studies regarding the decision of print size.
    Develop a plan for generalizing print size selection to various instructional situations.
    Materials Recommended
    Decision Making: Guide to Print Size Selection (APH product 7-96156-00)
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for Determining Appropriate Print Size for Students with Low Vision webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    Explore and Use the Tactile Graphic Image Library
    Date
    Wednesday, January 27th, 2021
    Time
    11:30 – 1:00 PM EST
    Duration
    90 Minutes
    Description
    During this workshop, we will explore APH’s free Tactile Graphic Image Library (TGIL). You will learn how to create an account and maneuver through the library. We will cover why these base templates are important, how to modify them for your needs, and discuss how the library can be useful tool no matter the production method. This hands-on workshop will demonstrate how the use of the TGIL will help with your efficiency and accuracy when producing tactile graphics.
    Instructor
    Sally Hart, Tactile Graphic Designer at APH
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Tactile Graphics
    Target Audience
    transcribers, teachers of students with visual impairments, paraprofessionals, and prison braille programs
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    braille
    Learning Objectives
    Participants will know how to navigate and download files from the TGIL.
    Participants will know how to customize the images for their specific needs.
    Participants will know how to contact the TGIL team for questions.
    Materials Needed
    none
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for Explore and Use the Tactile Graphic Image Library webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    Maps for the Braille Adventure
    Date
    Friday, January 29th, 2021
    Time
    2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
    Duration
    60 Minutes
    Description
    As part of the “Come back to me, braille!” series, this webinar will take stock of “maps” for the adventure. This includes all of the official braille codes for the United States as well as a large collection of additional resources for braille study and reference (courses, groups, books, and more). Participants will learn a quick trick for map searching, and last, but not least, will enter a boxing ring for some braille reading.
    Instructors
    Kyle DeJute, Braille Trainer at APH
    Dawn Eadens, Digital Textbook File Developer at APH
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Compensatory Skills (specifically, braille)
    Target Audience
    transcribers, teachers of the visually impaired, paraprofessionals who know braille, prison braille groups
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    at least basic braille knowledge – completion of “braille 101” or similar is a plus
    Learning Objectives
    Name the official braille codes in the U.S.
    Describe how copies of the braille codes can be obtained.
    Name at least two resources for braille study.
    Explain how to use ASCII characters to search for braille symbols in an electronic document.
    Materials Needed
    none
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for Maps for the Braille Adventure webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    3D Printing for the Classroom: Where to Start
    Date
    Monday, February 1st, 2021
    Time
    1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
    Duration
    60 Minutes
    Description
    How does DNA work? How do cars navigate intersections? How are a person’s lungs and heart positioned within the chest cavity? Describing complex ideas to students with vision loss can be challenging. Join this webinar and learn how to bridge this gap the by producing manipulatives using a 3D printer.
    Instructor
    Colin Montoya, 2020 APH Scholar and Inventory Manager at the Foundation for Blind Children
    Instructor
    Melanie Audet, TSVI and COMS at the Foundation for Blind Children
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Compensatory
    Learning Objectives
    Describe 3D printing and modeling.
    Differentiate a 3D printed item from a tactile image.
    Identify characteristics of a good image file for a student with a visual impairment.
    Select image files using popular resources.
    Materials Needed
    none
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for 3D Printing for the Classroom: Where to Start webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    Getting the Most Out of Your PageBlaster and PixBlaster Embossers
    Date
    Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021
    Time
    11:30 – 1:00 PM EST
    Duration
    90 Minutes
    Description
    Get the basics here! Attend this webinar and learn how to set up, operate, and create tactile graphics using the PageBlakster and PixBlaster embossers. Instruction will include learner friendly information on both the Firebird PageBlaster) and Tiger Designer (PixBlaster) software programs.
    Instructor
    William Freeman, Tactile Technology Product Manager at APH
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Education, Technology, Accessibility, Braille
    Target Audience
    TVIs, paraprofessionals, parents, EOTs
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    None
    Lesson Plan Goal
    The goal of this presentation is that users will know the basics of setting up, using, and creating tactile graphics for PageBlaster and PixBlaster.
    Learning Objectives
    Participants will set up a PixBlaster or PageBlaster embosser equipment.
    Participants will identify steps to emboss braille using a PixBlaster or PageBlaster embosser.
    Participants will create a tactile graphic for a PixBlaster or PageBlaster embosser.
    Materials Needed
    None
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for Getting the Most Out of Your PageBlaster and PixBlaster Embossers webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    BRIDGING the River “Why”
    Date
    Friday, February 5th, 2021
    Time
    2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
    Duration
    60 Minutes
    Description
    Continuing the “Come back to me, braille!” series, we will discuss the UEB concept of “bridging” as well as principles for making braille contraction decisions. We will explain braille order and grade 1 mode. And we’ll dance!
    Instructors
    Kyle DeJute, Braille Trainer at APH
    Dawn Eadens, Digital Textbook File Developer at APH
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Compensatory Skills (specifically, braille)
    Target Audience
    Transcribers, teachers of the visually impaired, paraprofessionals who know braille, prison braille groups
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    At least basic braille knowledge – completion of “braille 101” or similar is a plus
    Lesson Plan Goal
    Explore foundations of UEB rules for contraction
    Learning Objectives
    Identify which contraction is prohibited from bridging a word’s prefix and root [ea]
    Explain what an aspirated h is and how it can affect braille transcription
    Describe where to find “braille order” in the Rules of UEB
    Define a “symbols-sequence”
    Explain what is meant by “When in doubt, contract”
    Explain why a grade 1 symbol indicator must be used between a digit and any of the lowercase letters a-j immediately following that digit
    Materials Needed
    N/A
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for BRIDGING the River “Why” webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    JAWS and Citation Styles: Did someone say citation styles?
    Date
    Tuesday, February 9th, 2021
    Time
    11:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST
    Duration
    90 Minutes
    Description
    What citation style are you and your students using to reference research papers? MLA, APA, or something else? No matter the style, Elizabeth Whitaker of Vispero will outline features in JAWS to confirm you know where your periods, quotations, and other formatting styles are at in those papers.
    Instructors
    Elizabeth Whitaker, Technical Writer at Vispero
    Mike Wood, Strategic Accounts Manager: Education at Vispero
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Assistive Technology
    Target Audience
    Teachers, Students, Parents, Assistive Technology Specialists
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    Basic understanding of Screen Readers
    Lesson Plan Goal
    The participant will list features in JAWS that enable students to accurately identify the location of punctuation and formatting styles in research documents.
    Learning Objectives
    Participants will identify at least five keystrokes for formatting text.
    Participants will review two ways to check spelling.
    Participants will identify two keystrokes for checking formatting.
    Participants will review two steps for centering a title.
    Participants will learn two ways to set the font size.
    Participants will review four steps for creating a header.
    Materials Needed
    Access Academy Handout
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for JAWS and Citation Styles: Did someone say citation styles? webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    Creating Collage Tactile Graphics
    Date
    Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
    Time
    11:30 – 1:00 PM EST
    Duration
    90 Minutes
    Description
    The collage method is considered the most useful and effective method for conveying information when created properly with appropriate textured materials. This presentation covers materials to use, steps to take to make a readable collage graphic, and resources to help with this process.
    Instructor
    Sally Hart, Tactile Graphic Designer at APH
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Tactile Graphics
    Target Audience
    transcribers, teachers of students with visual impairments, paraprofessionals, and prison braille programs
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    Braille
    Learning Objectives
    Participants will state the most important part of making a tactile graphic.
    Participants will know how to use the TGIL with the collage process.
    Participants will name characteristics what makes a readable collage graphic.
    Materials Needed
    none
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for Creating Collage Tactile Graphics webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    MATT Connect: Advantages of Accessories for In-person and Remote Learning
    Date
    Friday, February 12th, 2021
    Time
    12:00 – 1:00 PM EST
    Duration
    60 Minutes
    Description
    Did you know that the MATT Connect has several accessories that can boost user access and usage in and out of the classroom? This webinar will feature Eric Beauchamp of HumanWare, illustrating how Bluetooth keyboards, stylus, battery packs, and external monitors can maximize the use of the MATT Connect for in-person and remote learning.
    Instructor
    Eric Beauchamp, Director of Product Management at HumanWare
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Assistive Technology
    Target Audience
    Teachers, Assistive Technology Specialist, Parents, Students
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    None
    Lesson Plan Goal
    The participant will list MATT Connect accessories that can be used for academic tasks.
    Learning Objectives
    Participants will list the steps to set up at least one accessory of the MATT Connect.
    Participants will identify at least one benefit for each of the following accessories; Bluetooth keyboard, stylus, battery pack, & external monitor.
    Participants will explain how to use at least two accessories of the MATT Connect.
    Materials Needed
    none
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for MATT Connect: Advantages of Accessories for In-person and Remote Learning webinar

  • Title of Webinar
    Brick-by-Brick Literacy
    Date
    Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
    Time
    1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
    Duration
    60 Minutes
    Description
    “Can you spell your dog’s name?” “What does your favorite food look like spelled in braille?” Learning is most meaningful when connected to personal experiences and preferences. Attend this webinar and learn how to bridge words and contractions with literacy, imagination, and build-able LEGO Braille Brick “toy” play.
    Instructor
    Gina Carr, M.Ed, Library Associate, TVI at Illinois School for the Visually Impaired
    Primary Core or ECC Area
    Compensatory Skills (Braille), Recreation and Leisure, Social Interaction
    Target Audience
    TVIs, parents
    Pre-requisite knowledge
    None
    Lesson Plan Goal
    Increase knowledge of braille letters, words, and contractions using LEGO Braille Bricks.
    Learning Objectives
    Participants will identify 5 Holistic Skills that children develop during play which is critical to learning.
    Participants will identify 5 Characteristics of Playful Learning Experiences.
    Participants will observe students engaged in play-based learning activities using LEGO Braille Bricks.
    Participants will pair knowledge of braille and tactile skills with literacy activities using LEGO Braille Bricks.
    Materials Needed
    LEGO Braille Brick Set
    Metal cookie sheet
    Magnetic tape
    Collect ACVREP Credit
    Credit is only available for the live presentation at this time. To collect ACRVEP credit, please listen for the opening and closing codes during the live session and submit these on the ACVREP Certificate Request form linked from our Education Training page. Following submission, a certificate will be emailed to you within a week.
    Registration Link
    Register for Brick-by-Brick Literacy webinar

Access Academy Archives

Missed a chance to attend one of our webinars or just looking for more resources? Many of our past Access Academy webinars are available on our Access Academy YouTube playlist.

Watch Access Academy Webinars Download Access Academy Handouts