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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

To be announced.

Latest Webinar

Bridges Break: Stimulating Senses, Engaging Learning

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.  

Watch Recording
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The Continuum of Communication Solutions for Complex Learners with APH

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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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
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.

Learning Engagement Through Play

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

Alternate Access

Early Learning

Literacy

Clicker

Kurzweil 3000

Readtopia

Widgit

Alinea

Multisensory

STEM

Blind/Low Vision

AAC

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.