2004 Demonstration Event Proceedings

The 2004 NCTI Demonstration Event provided a showcase of the latest products and tools from 27 participating researchers, developers and vendors.  This event proved to be an effective networking opportunity for NCTI stakeholders to discuss possible collaborations to advance these tools into new and broader markets. 

Featured tools included:

AIMSWeb Assessment System – a formative assessment system that provides continuous student performance data that can easily be translated to report academic improvement. (Edformation, Inc.)

Kentucky Accessible Materials Database (KAMD) – an online digital content management system offering accessible digital content. (University of Louisville and the Kentucky Department of Education)          

Mathematics for All – a digital resources provider for pre-service and in-service professional development within a standards-based mathematics curriculum. (EDC/Center for Children and Technology)

The Science Writer – a web-based tool that helps students with disabilities learn to express what they have learned more effectively in writing and produce better science reports. (CAST)

Viable Realtime Transcription (VRT) – a remote realtime transcription solution fostering equal communication access for deaf, hard-of-hearing clients, as well as those with other special communication needs. (Viable Technologies, Inc.)

Notable research projects included:

Assistive Technology and Literacy: Online Training for Early Childhood – working to develop two websites to provide online training for educators and families: (1) EC-TIIS: Early Childhood Technology Integrated Instructional System (www.wiu.edu/ectiis/) (2) ITLC: Interactive Technology Literacy Curriculum Online (www.wiu.edu/users/itlc). (Western Illinois University)

AT Wheel for Young Children – provides an innovative means of offering critical information about AT tools available to families and service providers to assist with a wide range of tasks for young children. (The University of Buffalo - SUNY)

Deafness: Ethical Assessment and Service Techniques – provides rehabilitation services, such as specialized communication assessment and vocational evaluation accommodations, to persons who are deaf, late-deafened, and hard of hearing using webcasts or a CD with distance learning follow-up. (Saint Paul College)

PEGS! For Teachers, and PEGS! For Parents! – provides innovative, interactive, and individualized programs that provide practice for teachers and parents in selecting appropriate and effective management strategies. (University of Georgia)

Special Connections Project – purpose is to develop a virtual archive to support IDEA’s mandate for educators to provide students with special needs the opportunity for meaningful access to the general education curriculum with appropriate aids and services. (University of Kansas)

In addition to technology researchers, developers, and vendors, Department of Education officials and media representatives were in attendance.  This year’s event provided a unique opportunity to learn, first hand, of NCTI’s expanded network of stakeholders and how they work together to enhance the development of educational technology innovations for people with disabilities.

For a complete list of all featured products, please view the Demonstration Event Program.