escWorks

This course will focus on student access, and we will look deeply into the complex needs of students with the most complex bodies. We will untie the layers of gaining access for students that are mobility impaired, speech or speech and language impaired, visually impaired, and sensory motor impaired. We will discuss the use of powered mobility to determine abilities and access, focusing on curriculum-based approach, developing training that integrates all team members in the education process.

Attendees will participate in a seating lab that will show why switch sites do not work for some clients and discuss strategies for supportive seating and access to technology. They will have the ability to view wheelchairs that are available and the types of electronics that are on them. We will discuss how to identify components necessary to reach clients goals and how to justify them, which will help with the decision-making process for better patients outcomes.

Participants will view client case studies and will be shown different strategies for access of their powered mobility, seat functions, communication access, and how to integrate these systems to promote independence.

Finally, the class attendees will participate in a hands-on lab where they will be required to drive all power chars with alternative access, use the seat functions through the drive control, and identify the chair electronics and components that allow access to a communication device, computer and phone/I Pad to run through the drive control. 

Objectives:

1. Identify how seating and transitions affect learning outcomes and patient involvement.
2. Recognize the role of powered mobility in determining access for involved clients.
3. Identify technology needs, what components will be necessary to connect technology, and what connections can be Bluetooth or need to be directly connected.
4. Identify and describe at least two forms of alternative access for powered mobility, computers or AAC devices.
5. Participants will be able to start developing training activities and protocols for team involvement.
6. Participants will identify the different components needed for each manufacturer electronics.
7. Participants will gain an understanding of wheelchair electronics that are available, how they are different, and the navigation sequences necessary to move from driving a power wheelchair to using a communication device/computer/Chromebook/iPad. 

Financial Disclosures: Lisa Rotelli is an employee of ASL and a subsidiary of the Invacare Corporation. She has no relevant non-financial disclosures. 

This is an intermediate session, and participants can earn 1.4 ASHA CEUs.