Free Bridges Webinars

Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration: 25 mins

Powerful classroom participation for children with complex and profound physical and cognitive challenges is possible with simple light tech. Join expert trainer and classroom accessibility ninja, Kim Mitchell as she shares THOUSANDS of ideas (...well maybe not thousands. Bridges Breaks are just 20 minutes… Let’s just say A LOT) for your classroom with a Powerlink, All Turn It Spinner and switch adapted toys.

• water plants
• make confetti
• play games
• cooking
• cleaning

She’ll show you how easy it is to adapt your own toys and what to look for in choosing toys for switch use, making common classroom tasks switch accessible so everyone can participate.

Controlling PC’s, Chromebooks, iPads, toys, even plug-in appliances with a switch is a lot easier than you think. Join AT specialist Kim Mitchell as she shows you how switch interfaces can maximize the power of switches.

 See the Switch Click, Crick interface, Hitch, Blue 2, Tapio and more and come away empowered to make good decisions about how to connect a switch.

Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration: 22 minutes

Connect with the world and make learning real with the mighty switch! Join us as AT specialist Kim Mitchell uncovers the amazing, underappreciated power of switches. You’ll see a variety of different switches for the classroom in action – no profile, waterproof/freeze proof, proximity and wireless – to run toys, communication devices, iPads, computers and more.

Plus tips and tricks, trouble shooting and even playing X-box games with 6 switches all in 22 minutes!

Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration: 22 minutes

Need to mount an iPad on a classroom table or desk?

Want to secure a switch for access from a wheelchair or on a student tray?

Join us for this series of Bridges Break’s to learn more about easy to implement, flexible, off-the-shelf mounting solutions ideal for busy classrooms. The right mount delivers positioning, stability and visibility that’s critical for successful communication and access. Whether you need a mobile solution for different students, or something for short periods for skill building, or a combination, we’ll sort through arms, clamps and plates so you can choose the best option for your classroom.

Presenter: Claire Zeijdel
Duration: 22 minutes

Part 1: 

Mounting Made Easy for light devices and switches

Part 2: 

Mounting Made
Easy for iPads

Part 3:

Mounting Made Easy: MOGO –
build your own light mounts 

Join Bridges AT Specialist Kim Mitchell on a detailed look at the engaging easy to use early learning tools ChooseIt Maker 3, and HelpKidzLearn -- for children with a range of cognitive and/or physical challenges.

Multi-platform, cloud based with free-trials available, these tools work on multiple platforms -- iPads, Chromebooks, Windows PC's, Android tablets -- with a full range of alternative access options including switches, touch and even eye-gaze.

Select from One of the Recordings Below:

Duration: 20 mins. each.

HelpKidzLearn ChooseItMaker3 - Overview

HelpKidzLearn: Activities and Games

Join us for a free webinar to learn about the exciting new version of ChooseIt Maker. The newly updated version for 2021 has a new and streamlined editor and allows for easy creation of activities that are relevant and inclusive for all learners.

Turn photographs, symbols, text and sounds into:
- Engaging cause and effect activities
- Helpful question and answer activities
- Fun-filled games
- Simple quizzes and more...

Duration: 60 mins

Presenter: Kim Mitchell

We’ve explored Clicker Writer, as a support for emergent and early conventional writers who access curricular activities on a Chromebook or iPad.

Now Clicker Books and Clicker Talk are available as part of your Clicker license.

Join us to explore the reading, writing, listening and speaking activities that the new additions to this suite of Clicker apps deliver.

In Clicker books, we’ll demonstrate ready-made and customizable books for read-aloud and silent reading, as well as how to create your own books from scratch.

Finally, we’ll explore Talk templates for vocabulary development, sequencing of ideas or events, pre-writing oral brainstorming and development of presentation skills. And just like with Clicker Writer all files can be easily shared from teacher to student.

Duration: 25 mins
Presenter: Susie Blackstien-Adler

Join Bridges Curriculum Specialist Susie Blackstien-Adler for an overview of the new Clicker 8.

Recently updated by Crick, used on over half a million school computers worldwide, this is a complete literacy tool kit that enables students of all abilities to significantly improve reading and writing.

With a complete suite of accessibility options including eye gaze, and age neutral presentation, Clicker delivers a suite of supports ideal for a range of students with challenges, including:

• Cognitive/developmental challenges
• Sensory issues
• On the autism spectrum
• English language learners
• Younger struggling students with reading and writing challenges

Duration: 45 min.

Presenter: Susie Blackstien-Adler
Duration: 22 minutes

Meet Clicker Writer

New to Clicker Writer? See how you can make writing tasks fun and accessible for every learner with this series of 3 succinct webinars featuring the child-friendly word processor for iPads and Chromebooks.

In 22 minutes, get a tour of the interface, writing grids that can be created by teachers (and students too), and customization for a wide range of learning and access needs. Plus tonnes of ready-made free activities.

Clicker Writer Templates: Sentence sets, Connect sets and Word Banks

Part 2 of our series on Clicker Writer, join us for 22 minutes to see how to create activities with templates that scaffold literacy instruction for emergent to early conventional writers: Sentence Sets, Connect Sets and Word Banks. Plus a peek at creating and editing grids including ones for curricular content areas.

Clicker Writer Analyze This!
Sharing Docs and Using Data

Third in our series, join us to experience how easy it is to create and share grids in Clicker Writer with students: through One Drive or Google Drive. See Clicker Writer’s virtuous cycle of sharing; when student share back, powerful analytics are engaged, tracking supports used and student progress so teachers can fine tune literacy instruction.

Come and spend time with one of the creators of ReadtopiaGO—the exciting new comprehensive early literacy curriculum specifically created for young emergent learners. Listen in as Maureen Donnelly describes how ReadtopiaGO incorporates all elements of an emergent literacy program to include all students, regardless of learning challenges. See, for yourself, the engaging learning materials that reflect the rich diversity of learners.

Drawn from the work of Drs. Erickson & Koppenhaver in Comprehensive Literacy for All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write (2019), ReadtopiaGO provides educators with everything they need to deliver four years of age-appropriate, engaging, and evidence-based literacy instruction.

ReadtopiaGo features:

• Daily instructional guidance to help adults deliver instruction effectively and easily
• Evidence-based literacy instruction reflective of the latest literacy research
• Engaging content that is comprehensive, emergent, and aligned with what we know about how young learners learn to read and write
• Layers of repetition with variety to ensure that literacy skills are developed and integrated meaningfully
• Diverse topics that include science, social studies, social emotional learning, and life skills so that learners have opportunities to deepen their knowledge of the world and build their literacy skills at the same time

Join us to learn how you can support ALL students on their journey toward comprehensive literacy.

Presenters: Maureen Donnelly, Christy McDonald

How do you teach literacy to students with complex needs and a wide range of ability levels, all in one classroom or learning at home? Readtopia is a complete set of web delivered instructional materials that make it easy to teach, guide and support students no matter where they are.

Join this webinar to learn how educators across Canada are teaching literacy with Readtopia!

Learn about:

• the components of Readtopia
• engaging topics and video for students from upper elementary to high school
• detailed curriculum guide for each unit that provides scripted lessons and a systematic approach
• leveled graphic novels and informational text to support students from an emergent to a conventional reading level
• assessment tools to measure progress and inform instruction
• a thematic approach that connects literacy with social studies, science, math, and functional life skills
• tips for delivering lessons and materials through remote learning
• success stories of increased student engagement and achievement

Duration: 60 mins

Educators understand that all students require a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment to succeed.  Those with complex learning challenges must have access to the instruction, materials and tools they need to access the same learning opportunities as their peers. 

Join us to learn about how Readtopia, the comprehensive literacy program for students with complex learning needs, supports equity, diversity and inclusion for ALL students.

Learn about:

• the wide range of topics that are included in Readtopia to engage and empower all learners
• the student materials that were carefully designed to meet the widest range of student needs
• how learning resources have been developed so students see themselves represented in different ways
• the strategies and supports provided for educators

Don’t miss out on learning how you can ensure that your students with diverse learning abilities have the opportunities to reach new heights in their learning.

Presenter: Christy McDonald
Duration: 25 mins

Presenters: Christy McDonald
Duration: 1 hour

Wondering how to ensure that your students with diverse learning challenges receive an evidenced based literacy program? Join us to learn about the significant impacts Readtopia is having on a classroom in Brandon Manitoba.

Therese Shamray will share how she implemented Readtopia—the comprehensive literacy curriculum for students with complex learning needs – in her elementary special education class. See the lessons and materials in action as she describes this exciting three year journey for her students and herself, exploring literature, science, social studies, math, and functional life skills. Engaged, excited and progressing beyond everyone’s imaginations, her students have developed critical literacy skills -- phonics, comprehension, vocabulary -- and knowledge.

John McDonald, a teacher of a high school life skills classroom in Ontario, implemented Readtopia -- a comprehensive program of literacy instruction for students with complex needs. The positive impacts on both students and educators alike were immediate and profound and continued to grow.

Join us as we explore and share his experiences with Readtopia:

• Hear the success stories that have inspired other educators in the district to believe that ALL students can learn to read and write!
• See how Readtopia’s materials with scaffolded supports, interesting topics, and evidence-based strategies provided everything educators needed to deliver comprehensive literacy instruction to learners, aged 14 – 21 years.
• Learn about the impact the cross-curricular topics and in-depth levelled materials had on the engagement, confidence, enjoyment, and progress of not only the learners but the educators, too!

Duration: 45 minutes
Presenters: John McDonald,  Christy McDonald

Join our AT Specialist Kim Mitchell as she talks about working with the web-based Widgit Online to quickly create symbolized materials for a wide range of users of all abilities. 

With Widgit Online, support learning and communication by creating symbol documents, flashcards, activities, and time tables right from your web browser, meaning there's no software for you to install or update! Choose from over 70 templates and over 18,000 symbols - including Canadian English and French vocabulary - to create communication boards, visual schedules, stories, labels and much more.

Duration: 30 min.

Join our AT Specialist Kim Mitchell as she talks about the power behind creating symbolized documents with InPrint3 for children with a range of cognitive and/or physical challenges, ESL/ELL learners, and more.

Use the InPrint3 to create accessible symbolized materials for school, home, business or community in minutes: including books, flashcards, worksheets, and accessible documents. And the exclusive Canadian version includes French symbolizing and templates plus Canadian specific vocabulary -- geographic features, cities, provinces even historical features.

Duration: 30 min.

Creating effective, relevant materials for supporting students with cognitive and learning challenges, easily is something educators still need, every day, even in the most wired-up classrooms. Visual schedules, communication boards, letter supports, vocabulary cards, social scripts, quick books, work sheets – classroom teams need to be able to make new, share or edit existing materials fast and easily. Even better is being able to make these materials in over 80 languages, adapting to diverse Canadian classrooms.

Join Kim and Iain as they show you how Widgit Online (WO) is purpose built to make stuff that you print for your class with little fuss. Quickly translate an communication grid or worksheet into another language such as Ukranian, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, Spanish and so many more. Create documents and grids in French with ease. Whether using WO’s enormous symbol set, students’ own pictures, or images from the net, find out why classrooms across Canada are discovering how straightforward making and sharing powerful visual materials can be and are switching to Widgit Online.

Duration: 30 min.

Pour les professionnels actifs auprès d’élèves souffrant de dyslexie, de dysorthographie ou d’autres difficultés en matière de lecture, d’écriture et de langue, nous proposons une solution complète destinée à faciliter la lecture, l’écriture et l’étude du français, de l’anglais et d’autres langues: Alinea. 

Avec la suite Alinea, vous disposez d’outils puissants et simples d’utilisation à portée de main, où que vous vous trouviez. En outre, ils sont compatibles avec l’ensemble des plateformes populaires, et ce, sur tous les programmes Windows : Word, PowerPoint, Excel et Outlook. Alinea propose une aide à l’écriture en français, en anglais et en allemand, ainsi qu’un soutien à la lecture dans pas moins de 33 langues (à travers l’application de lecture Alinea). Par ailleurs, une technologie de synthèse vocale (avec reconnaissance optique des caractères) est intégrée à l’ensemble de la suite Alinea.

Pendant ce webinaire, vous en apprendrez davantage sur ce qui suit:

• L’application Alinea (iOS et Android): pour une synthèse vocale sous le signe de la simplicité : 1) Choisissez votre texte, 2) Prenez une photo, 3) Lancez la lecture à voix haute.

• Le logiciel Alinea (Windows) et Alinea dans le Cloud (Chrome): pour une lecture à voix haute de textes, une fonction d’écriture avec prédiction des mots, un correcteur, des activités de compréhension à la lecture avec images, des dictionnaires traductifs et explicatifs (avec conjugaison des verbes), des documents pour la lecture et l’écriture au format PDF et des outils pour faire des résumés, etc.

• Alinea Web2Speech (extension Chrome): lecture compréhensive et aide à l’étude sur des supports tels que des sites Internet, des documents sur Google Docs et des e-mails sur Gmail. 

Durée: séance explicative de 90 minutes, suivie de questions/réponses. En tout, le webinaire devrait durer maximum 120 minutes
Duration: 120 min.

Présentateurs invités:

Frank Allemeersch 

Frank est le cofondateur de Sensotec et occupe la fonction de responsable général et de directeur de la R&D. À ses débuts, dans les années 1980, l’entreprise travaillait principalement dans le domaine des solutions pour les personnes souffrant de déficiences visuelles. Ces dernières années, Frank a dirigé l’élaboration de KNFB Reader, une application triplement récompensée. Père d’une fille dyslexique, il connait personnellement les défis auxquels doivent faire face les personnes rencontrant des problèmes de lecture ou d’apprentissage.

Steave Ahokou

Consultant pour Sensotec au sein de la région néerlandophone de Belgique et aide les personnes qui peinent à lire et à apprendre ainsi que leurs parents, professeurs et thérapeutes.

Laurent Oger

Consultant pour Sensotec au sein de la région francophone de Belgique et s’adresse aux individus souffrant d’une déficience visuelle et de difficultés en matière de lecture et d’apprentissage.

Presenter: Victor Lajeunesse, Leanne Husk
Duration: 30 mins

Bridges is thrilled to announce the launch of Luminea interactive sensory tools!

Sensory spaces have undeniably proven to be one of the most effective ways of supporting individuals who struggle with sensory integration, regulation and a variety of physical, mental and cognitive challenges, supporting choice making, sensory stimulation, communication, self-regulation, anxiety control, turn taking and more.

While multisensory experiences can be incredibly helpful for individuals with complex challenges, sensory room equipment is often not accessible.

With Luminea participants are no longer passive end users but can interact, control, even customize sensory environments with switches, eye gaze, virtually any alternative access.

The turnkey, plug-and-play Luminea corners make it easy to create fully accessible sensory environments in minutes.

Join us for an up-close look at all that Luminea has to offer, and how easy it is to add interactive sensory experiences to your space!

Are you teaching coding in your classroom? Most classrooms have learners with a range of needs. How do we ensure that ALL students are meaningfully included in coding?

Join us to learn about Debug'd: Dash and Dot - a new coding resource with a UDL approach that supports both teachers and students in exploring the wonderful world of learning to code.

Participants will get a sneak peek at the wide array of instructional and student materials included in this exciting new resource. We’ll share stories and video that underline how Debug'd: Dash and Dot resources have been essential for some students, but beneficial for all.

Duration: 60 mins

Will you be teaching coding in your classroom in the fall? Most classrooms have learners with a range of needs. How do we ensure that ALL students are meaningfully included in coding? Join us to learn about debug’d, new coding resources with a UDL approach that support both teachers and students in exploring the wonderful world of learning to code.

Duration: 60 mins

Presenters: Susie Blackstein-Adler, Christy McDonald and Leanne Husk

Presenter: Leanne Husk, Therese Shamray (Special Ed. Teacher, Riverheights School, Brandon, MB)
Duration: 30 mins

Learn how debug’d supported coding instruction in special and general education classrooms in an Ontario school district.

Coding is increasingly being included in classroom instruction. However, its role in teaching daily-living skills and cultivating essential soft skills, so vital for independence, is under-recognized.

Students with language, learning, or cognitive difficulties are often unable to participate actively or meaningfully in classroom coding activities; yet these students often have the most to gain.

In this session you’ll see how using a UDL approach and co-design with educators, clinicians and students ensured success for everyone.

Presenter: Leanne Husk
Duration: 25 mins

New school year. New curricular expectations.

As coding continues to become more and more embedded into the fabric of learning, we want to help support our educators, so they feel confident about bringing these important new learning opportunities to ALL their students!

Whether you’re new to coding or a seasoned expert, debug’d ensures educators can not only cover the expectations, but that EVERY student in their classroom, regardless of ability, can meaningfully engage, participate and have FUN while learning to code (and coding to learn!).

With 4 kits to choose from, debug’d now includes one that allows students to become inventors and creators!

Take a break and join us to discover how easy it can be with our UDL designed coding curricula, debug’d!

ALL students deserve a quality math program that ensures active and meaningful participation. Teachers need support to successfully teach math to students with mild to severe physical, cognitive and sensory challenges. Learn how the NEW Equals 3.0 math curriculum delivers:

* Guided comprehensive lessons with links to the real world,
* Leveled materials and strategies for all students,
* Repetition with variety through practice and application,
* Hands-on participation and meaningful learning with built in assistive tech strategies and a wide range of manipulatives,
* Assessment to make placement decisions and track progress,
* Equals Technology Lesson Centre,
* and more.

Duration: 60 mins.

Whether learning at home or at school, all students require a comprehensive math program that delivers active and meaningful learning opportunities. Teachers who use Equals Math have found success in supporting students with complex learning needs at school and at home.

Here’s how:

• Structured, scripted lessons follow a predictable format
• Differentiated materials and strategies meet a wide range of needs
• Repetition with variety through practice, application and extensions to real life
• An emphasis on problem-solving, so students learn how to think about math
  
• A wide range of hands-on manipulatives, with built in assistive technology, develop conceptual understanding
• On-screen manipulatives and materials provided through the Equals Technology Lesson Centre, allow teachers to model and students to practice, remotely

Duration: 60 mins

An all-in-one solution that wirelessly connects directly to an iPad, the MagniLink WifiCam delivers outstanding image quality for reading and distance, combined with an iPad -- engaging even reluctant students.

Join Kimberly Cline from LVI as she takes us on a deep dive of the smart features in the hardware and the included MagniLink Viewer app.

• Full control over magnification, artificial colors, image splitting, guiding lines, OCR, image storing, video recording and more.
• Easy setup – download the app, pair the MagniLink WifiCam and you’re good to go.
• A flexible camera arm and integrated iPad stand.
• The MagniWifi, an external box for connecting an iPad to MagniLink cameras you already have.

Whether your students are already using iPads for a vision enhancement solution or you’re looking for a mobile, portable classroom viewer, join us to discover the power of the MagniLink WifiCam.

Duration: 1 hour
Presenters: Kimberly Cline, Victor Lajeunesse

Discover the next generation video magnifiers that are enhanced for in classroom or distance learning. This session will review functionality, tips and strategies for classroom or workplace

• Internet connectivity for remote learning
• Working in the Google environment
• Magnifying objects at a distance like whiteboards and presentation
• Editing saved documents 

Plus a sneak peek into new features coming soon!

Duration: 60 mins.

With an intuitive design, and a focus on user-friendliness, Mind Express is a powerful and versatile communication software for thousands of users worldwide. In this webinar, Ian Foulger, AAC Manager at Jabbla UK, will explore the features of Mind Express 5 that make it so unique and time saving programming tips, too. Including:

• ME’s profiles: Individualize profiles contain all the end users preferences and settings and saves them in one place.
• Adapting pagesets, customising photos, importing files, re-using pages, translating symbol sets… it has never been easier through the new intuitive touch screen friendly interface.
• Extensive vocabulary set options.
• Expanded grammar functions and prediction has enormously evolved to a whole new level of accuracy, in French and English.
• Easily search for word or concept in your communication board
• Translating pagesets to Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Polish, Ukrainian, Turkish and many other languages
• Disney+, Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Spotify and TikTok integrations that allow you to connect social media straight into Mind Express.

Join Ian Foulger of Jabbla to learn how in Mind Express everything starts with the user.

Duration: 30 mins
Presenters: Ian Foulger, Nada Jorna, Leanne Husk

Jabbla’s Allora 3’s simplicity as a text based AAC device conceals a sophisticated thoughtful design and advanced engineering. Join us as Ian Foulger of Jabbla takes a deep dive into the Allora 3.

• Easy programming of abbreviation expansion
• Touch screen: Select a prediction directly by touching the screen or via keyboard
• Bluetooth smart phone connectivity
• Bilingual French and English out of the box
• Powerful multi-lingual options including translation, make it ideal for travel and multi-cultural environments
• Ingenious multi-function keyguards

Learn how the Allora delivers its legendary reliability, and intuitive clear communication in English, French and other languages.

Duration: 1 hour
Presenters: Ian Foulger

The new Mind Express 5 has combined the power of Mind Express 4 with an interface that puts user experience at its forefront. Whether you are a new or an experienced user, Mind Express 5 can be set up and ready to use within minutes with:

• Ready-made page sets and templates
• Simple user portal with easily accessible essentials
• Improved customization (remote editing available)
• Online library of resources
• and more

Join us for an exclusive online session with Claire and Mathilde from Jabbla to learn more about the new Mind Express 5.

Duration: 60 mins.

Nous sommes ravis de vous présenter les ressources papiers et électroniques PODD français.

Animatrices: Mathilde Suc-Mella, PODD formatrice certifiée, et Mathilde Mathys, Account Manager chez Jabbla.

Pendant le webinaire, les deux Mathildes montreront comment accéder, personnaliser et utiliser les ensembles de pages PODD dans Mind Express.

Mathilde SUC-MELLA

Enseignante de formation, elle s’est professionnalisée dans le champ de la Communication alternative et améliorée (CAA) après l’avoir expérimenté de première main avec son fils aîné, porteur d’un Syndrome d’Angelman. Après le diagnostic de son fils aîné en 2009, elle a suivi de nombreuses formations, principalement à l’étranger, auprès d’experts reconnus internationalement. Elle s’est spécialisée dans l’approche PODD, qui existe depuis de nombreuses années, mais qui n’est connue que depuis peu en France. Mathilde SUC-MELLA s’est formée à plusieurs reprises auprès de son inventrice australienne Gayle PORTER et est la première formatrice PODD certifiée en France, habilitée à délivrer les formations PODD en français. Elle s’est vue confier l’adaptation des ressources PODD en langue française.

Mathilde Mathys

Account Manager chez Jabbla. Elle a étudié les langues romanes à la VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), où l’accent était mis sur la linguistique et la littérature françaises et espagnoles. Active depuis 12 ans chez Jabbla, une société qui développe des solutions spécialisées dans le domaine de la CAA, entre autres le logiciel de communication Mind Express, elle s’occupe du marché

Le 6 mai à 9h30 HAE
La durée 1h

Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Duration: 22 mins

Stories, games, jokes, science experiments, songs – yes one button can do so much. Single message communication aids are gateways to participation and genuine engagement in the classroom… in life!

 In 22 minutes, learn how to get the most out of these amazing and underrated workhorses of AT: Step-by-Steps, Big Mac’s, Choice. 

Duration: 45 mins
Presenters: Michael Hull (Abilia), Sara Säterstam (Abilia), Nada Jorna, Iain Wallace

Experience the revolutionary LightWriter SL50. Embark on a journey to rediscover the LightWriter as we unveil its stunning redesign. It's time to fall in love with this innovative device all over again.

Unveil the remarkable features of the LightWriter SL50, including:

• Lighter! Shedding over 100 grams compared to the SL40.
• Illuminated Keys and Screen: Perfect for low-light and dark environments.
• Enhanced Menu Structure.
• Bluetooth Connectivity: for phone calls and text messaging.
• Built-in 1 or 2 Switch Scanning.
• Comprehensive Keyguard Selection: Offering three different options.
• Hassle-Free Backup: Easily back up your data to USB.

Join us for an exclusive online session hosted by Sara, representing the manufacturer Abilia, in collaboration with Bridges. Dive deeper into the exciting world of the new LightWriter SL50 and unlock its potential for enhanced communication.

In addition, we are thrilled to have Michael from Abilia tech support join us during the webinar. He will be available in the chat to address all your inquiries/support questions and share invaluable tips for optimizing the LightWriter SL50's capabilities.