Hello out there!
SO, it's been a loooooong time since our last post, folks.
The A!TLC Fall 2014 Semester began on September 3 with thoughts of Student Researcher, Rebekah Lindenbach, who had become extremely ill and had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. Rebekah's wonderful family, friends, and A! community rallied around Rebekah in full force and continue to do so now. Rebekah who is amazing, and a fighter (a real Rocky Balboa!), is now in the process of returning to her strong self in the comfort of her own home(s), We are all ready to support her and CELEBRATE all the milestones in her recovery.
Rebekah -We wish to give YOU the shout outs today as we think about just how much we are missing you.
These sentiments come from everyone in the room at the time that this blog was created:
Kelsey: "I hope to see you at Inclusion Cafe ASAP!"
Avery: "I am excited to come and see you! And I will make sure to bring my world-traveler parents with me."
Kaitlyn: "Can't wait to see you. SO glad that you are on the recovery road."
Kennen: "I just want to see you."
Wendy: "Rocky, keep up the great work."
Ella: "Lovely lady! I cannot wait to see you!" xoxo
Silvia: "Abrazo (hug) for you! See you soon."
Courtney: "I am looking forward to getting to know you!"
We are SO excited to see you, Rebekah.
We are also excited this week for Jake Sawa, a wonderful Kin. student t the U of R, to teach us how to hip hop dance! We have Jake coming to the A!TLC tomorrow to teach us a few moves....and have invited all of our awesome Core Members to join us (and Jake!) for "A! Dance Project" on Thursday. It will all be easy-going, relaxed, and super FUN.
One last thing! Our favorite, Inclusion Cafe is also happening this Thursday at the Owl from 2:30 - 4:00. Come and hang out. Lots to look forward to, that's for darn sure!
Tuesday 23 September 2014
Thursday 24 July 2014
Literacy Days - Kelsey's Technology Lesson
Hello out there!
Our A! Summer Literacy Program is well underway and we are having such fun!
We are learning lots from one another. In one of our latest technology lessons, Kelsey Culbert did a fantastic job of educating us on how she uses a few of her portable electronic devices to work for her. Kelsey's lesson was a massive hit and we simply have to share it with you now...
SPEECH TO TEXT:
What
do you use?
My recipe
for my portable devices:
Phone
– 1. Speech to text for Samsung Phone (microphone button),
2. Voice Search
Samsung App
Ipad
–3. Dragon Diction, 4. I pad menu – accessibility – speak selection – “on”
1. 1. Speech
to Text for my Samsung phone. What is it?
Comes on my
phone – I got a google email account. Then I went to the keyboard on my phone
to install a microphone button. It is accessed through my keyboard. To activate
voice input on the Galaxy Tab keyboard follow these instructions: Display the
onscreen keyboard.
Touch a text box
or somehow get the onscreen keyboard to appear.
Touch the
Settings button, the one with the Gear icon.
Touch the check
box by Voice Input to place a green check mark there.
Touch the Yes
button to confirm. Once it is installed – go to the microphone. You have to
properly enunciate. If it still is unable to understand a word that you are
trying to say, go to the word and touch it – the phone will have suggestions of
what it thinks that you are trying to say. If you want one of those suggestions
all you do is touch it and the word will be replaced…if you do not want any of
these suggestions, delete and either type in the word manually or say it again.
The better your diction, the better your results. Also, it helps to speak only
a sentence or less. You can edit your voice input just as you edit any text.
Speak the
punctuation in your text. For example, you would say, “I’m sorry comma and it
won’t happen again” to have the Galaxy Tab produce the text I’m sorry, and it
won’t happen again (or similar wording). Common punctuation you can dictate
includes the comma, period, exclamation point, question mark, and colon. Pause
your speech before and after speaking punctuation.
There is no way
presently to capitalize words you dictate.
Dictation may
not work where no Internet connection exists.
The Galaxy Tab
features a voice censor. It replaces those naughty words you might utter,
placing the word’s first letter on the screen, followed by the appropriate
number of asterisks. For example, if spatula were a blue word and you uttered
spatula when dictating text, the dictation feature would place s****** on the
screen rather than the word spatula.
The Tab knows a
lot of blue terms, including the infamous “Seven Words You Can Never Say on
Television,” but apparently the terms crap and damn are fine!
2. 2. Apps
– Voice Search – Samsung App – What is it? Voice commands
can be executed by speaking specific statements to your device. You can tell your phone what to do.
This is like “Siri” for my Samsung – Commands like “Read my text messages”, “Open
my email”, “Tell me the weather forecast”.
3. 3. Dragon Dictation – What
is it? I use this on my Ipad –free app –
simply install and set up language and region. I can use Dragon Dictation to type
emails, copy and paste things to my blog. –Can I use it with other things? Yes
- Facebook (my “Status” – goes directly to my wall), twitter, email. I am able
to use punctuation by saying the marks that I wish to insert i.e. period,
comma, question mark, etc… tap the “i” icon to see some helpful tips! Dragon Dictation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTQDEOEsj0Y
4. 4. IPad Settings - Accessibility
– Speak Selection - What is it? For when I want to
have the content on my Ipad read to me.
I go to settings, accessibility, speak selection, read select content, chose
my reading speed, and highlight passage that I would like to have read to me. I
do this with emails, books, etc…
Why
do you use these types of technology?
It makes my life
easier. It gives me a timeline that is far more manageable. I can do in 15
minutes what used to take me 3 hours. And it got me out of the 90s!
What
advice can you give to people wishing to use these types of technology? Be patient! It is going to feel frustrating
but it is worth it. Be prepared to reinstall Dragon Dictation if you need. Find
the best thing, or combination of things, that works for you!
Can
you tell us a bit about your Neil Squire Adaptive Technology Assessment? – What
is this and how did it work for you? This service is
only available to help people that are out of school and that have an
employment goal at some point. Once they find a successful candidate, Neil
Squire applies for funding. Great service, you can try all of the technology
out before you get it. They make it easy on you – when I worked with Brooke,
she came directly to me. They are super flexible! Neil Squire also goes onsite
to do ergonomic assessments for your work station.
Thanks
to your Neil Squire Assessment, what technology did you come away with?
Dragon Naturally
Speaking and Zoom Text
Do you use Dragon
Naturally Speaking? This is expensive! I am happy to have it but it takes
practice. Once you know how to use it, it is the best thing that you can
possibly use. Even though I have had DNS for a while, I can still ask the folks
from Neil Squire to come out and help me at any point.
What is Zoom
Text? A magnifier. It can also read things to you. Both Dragon Naturally Speaking and Zoom Text are
on my personal computer at home.
What
technology did you try that did not work for you? Eye
gaze. It did not work for my vision and neck control.
Thank you so much for educating us, Kelsey, and keep up the good work!
Thursday 22 May 2014
Check in and check it out!
Hello out there!
Long time! We at the A!TLC figured that we had better Check In* with you folks!
For the past few A!TLC sessions, we have been chipping away at Filmpossible (http://www.filmpossible.ca/hollandbloorview), an online video contest that brings visibility to disability. We are looking back at our childhood adventures to show viewers all of the POSSIBILITY. Kennen will complete a photography assignment today will help us to complete this goal. We are camera ready!
Submission deadline is May 28th. Wish us luck!
Last week, we were delighted to go on location to Riffel High School to take in their production of "Seussical" , a musical based on the books of Dr Seuss. It was a lovely time filled with lively performances. Keep up the good work, Riffel. And thanks so much for the invite!
This weekend, many of us Student Researchers will attend the Astonished! Annual General Meeting (THIS Saturday, May 24, 3:00 - 5:00 @ 177 Sunset Drive) - hearing all of the great things that have gone on at the A!TLC this year will feel really good. PLUS it is an excellent chance to see old friends, eat delicious snacks, and be merry! Huge thanks to all of the supporters that make our time at the A!TLC possible. It means the world.
Thank you so much for reading! And don't be afraid to Check In with us, once in a while. We would be delighted. :)
*A daily Check In is how we begin each A!TLC day, btw. It is a chance for each person in the room to tell a story and set their tone for the day. It is a wonderful routine, we must say!
Long time! We at the A!TLC figured that we had better Check In* with you folks!
For the past few A!TLC sessions, we have been chipping away at Filmpossible (http://www.filmpossible.ca/hollandbloorview), an online video contest that brings visibility to disability. We are looking back at our childhood adventures to show viewers all of the POSSIBILITY. Kennen will complete a photography assignment today will help us to complete this goal. We are camera ready!
 |
| Kennen the photographer with Ella |
Submission deadline is May 28th. Wish us luck!
Last week, we were delighted to go on location to Riffel High School to take in their production of "Seussical" , a musical based on the books of Dr Seuss. It was a lovely time filled with lively performances. Keep up the good work, Riffel. And thanks so much for the invite!
This weekend, many of us Student Researchers will attend the Astonished! Annual General Meeting (THIS Saturday, May 24, 3:00 - 5:00 @ 177 Sunset Drive) - hearing all of the great things that have gone on at the A!TLC this year will feel really good. PLUS it is an excellent chance to see old friends, eat delicious snacks, and be merry! Huge thanks to all of the supporters that make our time at the A!TLC possible. It means the world.
Thank you so much for reading! And don't be afraid to Check In with us, once in a while. We would be delighted. :)
*A daily Check In is how we begin each A!TLC day, btw. It is a chance for each person in the room to tell a story and set their tone for the day. It is a wonderful routine, we must say!
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Lovely April
Hello out there!
Hope everyone is having a lovely April so far. Things at the A!TLC are going along nicely!
Today the group is split, as some of our A!TLC gals are attending the CPA's "Discovering the Power in Me" workshop at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. Kesley and Avery have each taken this workshop already (and highly recommended it to the others!), and will spend the day with regularly scheduled programming at the University. Here, Avery might spend some time prepping for her highly anticipated trip to Mexico and Kelsey might work on some practice speeches for Toastmasters, a public speaking organization that she is soon becoming a member of....
Something that we are all really EXCITED about is happening TOMORROW at Rebekah's house (thank you so much to our lovely hostess and her roommates!). Why are we on location at Rebekah's place? We are going to celebrate all of the successes that Kennen has made to date with her transition plan from Grenfell High School to A!TLC. It is going to be a wonderful time and a great reason to have a party! Kennen, we are so proud of you and all of your hard work.
Next week we are going to cheer on our friends at the U of R's Campus For All program at their year-end showcase. More huge accomplishments,here! Congratulations to all of the CFA students on their achievements this year and thank you so much for the invite!
The last official day of our Winter 2014 A!TLC Semester is on May 1 (we know, we know, it has been officially SPRING for a while now!) and we are going to mark it with an off-campus lunch + a shopping excursion to celebrate! Looking back on all the good things that we have done, makes us really pumped for the Spring 2014 Semester to begin...fortunately there is no real time to wait - Spring 2014 Semester begins May 6th! ;)
Thank you for reading, folks!
Hope everyone is having a lovely April so far. Things at the A!TLC are going along nicely!
Today the group is split, as some of our A!TLC gals are attending the CPA's "Discovering the Power in Me" workshop at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. Kesley and Avery have each taken this workshop already (and highly recommended it to the others!), and will spend the day with regularly scheduled programming at the University. Here, Avery might spend some time prepping for her highly anticipated trip to Mexico and Kelsey might work on some practice speeches for Toastmasters, a public speaking organization that she is soon becoming a member of....
Something that we are all really EXCITED about is happening TOMORROW at Rebekah's house (thank you so much to our lovely hostess and her roommates!). Why are we on location at Rebekah's place? We are going to celebrate all of the successes that Kennen has made to date with her transition plan from Grenfell High School to A!TLC. It is going to be a wonderful time and a great reason to have a party! Kennen, we are so proud of you and all of your hard work.
Next week we are going to cheer on our friends at the U of R's Campus For All program at their year-end showcase. More huge accomplishments,here! Congratulations to all of the CFA students on their achievements this year and thank you so much for the invite!
The last official day of our Winter 2014 A!TLC Semester is on May 1 (we know, we know, it has been officially SPRING for a while now!) and we are going to mark it with an off-campus lunch + a shopping excursion to celebrate! Looking back on all the good things that we have done, makes us really pumped for the Spring 2014 Semester to begin...fortunately there is no real time to wait - Spring 2014 Semester begins May 6th! ;)
Thank you for reading, folks!
Tuesday 8 April 2014
Hello to spring and goodbye to a few wonderful volunteers!
Hello out there!
Well, it finally happened, honest-to-goodness, springtime weather has hit Regina (touch wood)! We at the A!TLC have dreams of some sunny outdoor field trips dancing in our heads. There is lots to look forward to and we are excited for a change of pace. One thing that we are not looking forward to this week, however, is saying goodbye (for now!) to some truly incredible volunteers that we were fortunate to have with us for the Winter 2014 Semester.
Angel Genreux, our SW practicum student has done some amazing work with us these past few months and we are sad to see her go! Thank you, Angel and hope to see you again real soon!
We also had Rheanne Gerwing, Cassandra Hanley, and Gabriela Camalari regularly attending A!TLC Sessions and A! Social Club events as part of their ECS 200 Volunteer Experience. What fine young women they are! It was a pleasure to have them on board. AND we also were delighted to have repeat volunteers in Tara Lazurco and Jasmine Gerein, wonderful faces that we hope to see in A!TLC for many semesters to come. Truly we have lucked out!
This week will be busy - we have the aforementioned farewells, plus Inclusion Cafe, PATH Work, party and field trip planning, and a presentation to give on April 10th! We would like to wish Kennen a very happy belated 22nd birthday (it was on April 6!) and Kelsey a happy belated 21st birthday (it was April 7!). April is a great month for great people to be born.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the sunshine!
Well, it finally happened, honest-to-goodness, springtime weather has hit Regina (touch wood)! We at the A!TLC have dreams of some sunny outdoor field trips dancing in our heads. There is lots to look forward to and we are excited for a change of pace. One thing that we are not looking forward to this week, however, is saying goodbye (for now!) to some truly incredible volunteers that we were fortunate to have with us for the Winter 2014 Semester.
Angel Genreux, our SW practicum student has done some amazing work with us these past few months and we are sad to see her go! Thank you, Angel and hope to see you again real soon!
We also had Rheanne Gerwing, Cassandra Hanley, and Gabriela Camalari regularly attending A!TLC Sessions and A! Social Club events as part of their ECS 200 Volunteer Experience. What fine young women they are! It was a pleasure to have them on board. AND we also were delighted to have repeat volunteers in Tara Lazurco and Jasmine Gerein, wonderful faces that we hope to see in A!TLC for many semesters to come. Truly we have lucked out!
This week will be busy - we have the aforementioned farewells, plus Inclusion Cafe, PATH Work, party and field trip planning, and a presentation to give on April 10th! We would like to wish Kennen a very happy belated 22nd birthday (it was on April 6!) and Kelsey a happy belated 21st birthday (it was April 7!). April is a great month for great people to be born.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the sunshine!
Monday 24 March 2014
Lots to be thankful for AND lots to look forward to!
Hello out there!
Let's catch up....
Well, we at the A!TLC have been having a very good time, indeed!
First, can we talk about the whirlwind that was our 2nd Annual Fundraiser? We worked hard in the weeks (ok , months!) leading up to this event - we were so eager to give everyone a wonderful experience! On March 8th, 2014, the wings on our wheels were out in full force - a room filled with excellent people, captivating entertainment, lively fundraising activities, and delicious food. And we did not even mention the dance, hosted by our great Core Members! The dance playlist was selected by our A! Leadership Team....Kaitlyn made darn sure that Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was one of the first songs to play! All in all, we had a fantastic time (Ella: "Kelsey, what was your favorite part of the fundraiser?" Kelsey: "OMG, everything!" )and cannot begin to tell you just how grateful we are for such outstanding community support. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!
Following our fundraiser, things did not slow down at the A!TLC....not by a longshot! We have kept up with a real steady routine (we love our regular book club, To do lists, PATH Wednesdays, Techno Thursdays, AND a little thing called Inclusion Cafe!) and new (and old!) things keep on being added to the mix. In the next few months we will be working with Dr Brenda Rossow-Kimball to prepare a workshop on Inclusive Education for the University of Regina's Centre for Teaching and Learning AND will be delivering our classic Barriers and Enablers presentation in Kin 120 on April 10th! There has also been talk about our Student Researchers assisting one of our volunteers with her end of semester presentation, but we will keep you posted on that! Kennen, Kaitlyn, and Rebekah are excited to be attending a profound workshop, "Discovering the Power in Me", that is being put on by the Canadian Paraplegic Association over three sessions on April 16, 23, & 30. Kelsey and Avery have each attended this workshop in the past and highly recommended it to the rest of the ladies!
That's all for now! We would like to close this blog entry by giving a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Kennen Dorgan for finishing up her job at Grenfell High School on March 28th. Everyone is so excited to celebrate with you, Kennen.
Take good care.
Let's catch up....
Well, we at the A!TLC have been having a very good time, indeed!
First, can we talk about the whirlwind that was our 2nd Annual Fundraiser? We worked hard in the weeks (ok , months!) leading up to this event - we were so eager to give everyone a wonderful experience! On March 8th, 2014, the wings on our wheels were out in full force - a room filled with excellent people, captivating entertainment, lively fundraising activities, and delicious food. And we did not even mention the dance, hosted by our great Core Members! The dance playlist was selected by our A! Leadership Team....Kaitlyn made darn sure that Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was one of the first songs to play! All in all, we had a fantastic time (Ella: "Kelsey, what was your favorite part of the fundraiser?" Kelsey: "OMG, everything!" )and cannot begin to tell you just how grateful we are for such outstanding community support. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!
Following our fundraiser, things did not slow down at the A!TLC....not by a longshot! We have kept up with a real steady routine (we love our regular book club, To do lists, PATH Wednesdays, Techno Thursdays, AND a little thing called Inclusion Cafe!) and new (and old!) things keep on being added to the mix. In the next few months we will be working with Dr Brenda Rossow-Kimball to prepare a workshop on Inclusive Education for the University of Regina's Centre for Teaching and Learning AND will be delivering our classic Barriers and Enablers presentation in Kin 120 on April 10th! There has also been talk about our Student Researchers assisting one of our volunteers with her end of semester presentation, but we will keep you posted on that! Kennen, Kaitlyn, and Rebekah are excited to be attending a profound workshop, "Discovering the Power in Me", that is being put on by the Canadian Paraplegic Association over three sessions on April 16, 23, & 30. Kelsey and Avery have each attended this workshop in the past and highly recommended it to the rest of the ladies!
That's all for now! We would like to close this blog entry by giving a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Kennen Dorgan for finishing up her job at Grenfell High School on March 28th. Everyone is so excited to celebrate with you, Kennen.
Take good care.
Thursday 27 February 2014
Cheers to Inclusion Cafe!
Hello out there!
It has been a while since we have blogged and what better time to pick it up again than on location at the Owl for Inclusion Café! A big cheers to that, folks!
We had a nice and relaxing Reading Week break (Feb 17 - 21) but were excited to get back at it! The 25th was a huge day for all A!TLC Student Researchers.... Kennen had a big photo shoot session with her photography mentor, Brenda AND her incredibly talented sister, Tanys! The trio snapped some incredible shots and Kennen learned some valuable tips (like "the rule of three"!). Amazing work.
Meanwhile, the rest of the A!TLC went to represent a the U of R's second annual Poetry Slam. What an experience! We were delighted to be invited, and to be in the presence of some truly remarkable poets. Kelsey really did us proud by reading a classic revenge love poem written by all of us in the A!TLC. She got lots of applause and a few laughs! Awesome.
Wednesday was an extremely productive day of PATH work and marked the welcome return of the lovely Avery Ottenbreit. What a pleasure!!!! We were so happy to see you, Avery.
A lovely face that we have been missing this week has been Rebekah's...we have missed you!!!!! Rest up, stay cozy and feel better soon (kick that cold's butt!). And also, congratulations on becoming an auntie yet again. WOW! Congrats to all Lindenbachs, really!
Today is yet another cold day but we are happy to be nice and warm and together at the Owl. Life is goooooood. Thanks for reading and take care. Next week will be major crunch time for our fundraiser happening NEXT Saturday night - March 8th. OMG Super excited! (there are still a few tickets available if you are interested! check out our website http://www.beingastonished.com/)
It has been a while since we have blogged and what better time to pick it up again than on location at the Owl for Inclusion Café! A big cheers to that, folks!
We had a nice and relaxing Reading Week break (Feb 17 - 21) but were excited to get back at it! The 25th was a huge day for all A!TLC Student Researchers.... Kennen had a big photo shoot session with her photography mentor, Brenda AND her incredibly talented sister, Tanys! The trio snapped some incredible shots and Kennen learned some valuable tips (like "the rule of three"!). Amazing work.
 |
| Tanys and Kennen perfect i-Phone camera and remote - see below for the photo they created! |
Meanwhile, the rest of the A!TLC went to represent a the U of R's second annual Poetry Slam. What an experience! We were delighted to be invited, and to be in the presence of some truly remarkable poets. Kelsey really did us proud by reading a classic revenge love poem written by all of us in the A!TLC. She got lots of applause and a few laughs! Awesome.
Wednesday was an extremely productive day of PATH work and marked the welcome return of the lovely Avery Ottenbreit. What a pleasure!!!! We were so happy to see you, Avery.
A lovely face that we have been missing this week has been Rebekah's...we have missed you!!!!! Rest up, stay cozy and feel better soon (kick that cold's butt!). And also, congratulations on becoming an auntie yet again. WOW! Congrats to all Lindenbachs, really!
 |
| Brenda is so pleased with her portrait by 'sister photographers' Kennen and Tanys |
Wednesday 5 February 2014
This and that and this!
Hello out there!
Hope that everyone is keeping warm (or doing their very best!)!
Lots to do with our to-do lists....lots of fun things! Rebekah is excited to have some Spanish lessons on her list - to learn at least four words/session with the lovely tutor Silvia (with some help from the wonderful Spanish speaking Gabi!). Kennen is busy searching for some photographic inspiration (and coming up with some great ideas!) and Kelsey and Kaitlyn have some major work to do with their Kin 120 presentation on February 13th. It will come together nicely, we are sure!
Today was filled with PATH work and also some epic tangents - ever wonder how everyone at the A!TLC got their name? We no longer have to! :) And now that we are name experts, Adam and Brit, if you are looking for any suggestions, we are ready for ya!
We also learned that there is a yogabiebs classs offered in Toronto - Yes, this is yoga inspired by the soothing pop hits of Justin Beiber. Thanks, but no thanks. We will have to pass on this one!
This week is a bit of an Inclusion Cafe dry spell....we are caught between the fifth Thursday of January and the first Thursday of February....looking forward to some pub fun next Thursday, February 13th.
Thanks so much for reading and take care!
Hope that everyone is keeping warm (or doing their very best!)!
Lots to do with our to-do lists....lots of fun things! Rebekah is excited to have some Spanish lessons on her list - to learn at least four words/session with the lovely tutor Silvia (with some help from the wonderful Spanish speaking Gabi!). Kennen is busy searching for some photographic inspiration (and coming up with some great ideas!) and Kelsey and Kaitlyn have some major work to do with their Kin 120 presentation on February 13th. It will come together nicely, we are sure!
Today was filled with PATH work and also some epic tangents - ever wonder how everyone at the A!TLC got their name? We no longer have to! :) And now that we are name experts, Adam and Brit, if you are looking for any suggestions, we are ready for ya!
We also learned that there is a yogabiebs classs offered in Toronto - Yes, this is yoga inspired by the soothing pop hits of Justin Beiber. Thanks, but no thanks. We will have to pass on this one!
This week is a bit of an Inclusion Cafe dry spell....we are caught between the fifth Thursday of January and the first Thursday of February....looking forward to some pub fun next Thursday, February 13th.
Thanks so much for reading and take care!
Friday 24 January 2014
Finishing up UN day questions (at last!)
WRITTEN ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Hello out there!
We have had a wonderful week at A!TLC and are happy to report that we finally had the chance to finish part two of Kennen's PATH! We have a lot of work ahead and a whole lot to look forward to. The A!TLC crew is so excited to help you reach all those great goals you set, Kennen!
It's that time again! We have an Inclusion Cafe today....rough lives, we know! Rebekah, we will miss you as our server today! BUT before we head down to the pub, Kelsey and our awesome winter 2014 practicum student, Angel are going to teach us a lesson for our Techno Thursday!
And one more thing!
As promised, here are the last of our UN day questions:
What types of programs does Astonished! have?
We offer 4 programs, including this one - The A!TLC....
Here, Astonished! staff work to support each Student Researcher as they each determine and navigate a PATH (Planning Alternative Futures with Hope) unique to them. Here, young adults with complex physical disAbilities are leadersand work with faculty, students, and the wider community in research, learning, and teaching about inclusion.
The Astonished! Social Club:
The Astonished! Social Club is a monthly recreation, leisure, or social gathering for Core-Members, families, and friends. Astonished! contracts with a 5 member team of vibrant young adults with and without complex physical disAbilities to plan and carry out inclusive, social, recreational, and cultural events for young adults with complex physical disAbilities and the wider community. The Social Club offers a wide variety events, such as an upcoming Spa Night on January 31 and Cougar Hockey Games on February 7 & 8!
Communication Technology and Literacy:
Our Communication Technology and Literacy program works to to enhance inclusion opportunities with young adults who do not have easy spoken language.
On June 18th, 2013 we began a summer pilot program to explore the literacy strengths, dreams, and needs of our Astonished! Core Members. This Literacy Program was a great success...and FUN! The Astonished! Team is looking forward to offering this program again in summer 2014.
Mentorship for Employment:
Astonished! is partnering with public funding organizations to support the employment dreams of our core members. Our first initiative was with our Face Book manager, Ryan Ross and we are establishing a process for further mentorship opportunities.
Why did you choose Astonished (to come to the A!TLC)?
"It seemed like the right fit for me".
"The A!TLC tries to give you the foundation you need to help you do the things you want to do".
"It is great to see all of the opportunities that A!TLC can provide me with"
The A!TLC provides programming that aims to be truly individualised.
The content and activities that take place in the A!TLC are age-appropriate and aimed at helping each Student Researcher reach their goals. The A!TLC sees great value in the importance of being social....a chance to go for coffee or to the University pub for Inclusion Café is a vital part of the post-secondary education experience!
For Kennen, Rebekah, and Kelsey - How did you become mentors in SW 479 for the fall 2013 semester?
Kaitlyn led the way! We were all impressed with Kaitlyn's experience as a mentor in fall 2012. Kaitlyn was able to deliver a presentation, make some great friends, and even make a little money in her mentorship role! We were offered the gig by SW 479 prof. Randy Johner . Randy was wonderful and quick to set our minds at ease and make us feel good about being mentors.
Everyone did good work...and a huge shout out goes to Rebekah for going to the front of the class to deliver a presentation for the very first time!
Hello out there!
We have had a wonderful week at A!TLC and are happy to report that we finally had the chance to finish part two of Kennen's PATH! We have a lot of work ahead and a whole lot to look forward to. The A!TLC crew is so excited to help you reach all those great goals you set, Kennen!
It's that time again! We have an Inclusion Cafe today....rough lives, we know! Rebekah, we will miss you as our server today! BUT before we head down to the pub, Kelsey and our awesome winter 2014 practicum student, Angel are going to teach us a lesson for our Techno Thursday!
And one more thing!
As promised, here are the last of our UN day questions:
What types of programs does Astonished! have?
We offer 4 programs, including this one - The A!TLC....
Here, Astonished! staff work to support each Student Researcher as they each determine and navigate a PATH (Planning Alternative Futures with Hope) unique to them. Here, young adults with complex physical disAbilities are leadersand work with faculty, students, and the wider community in research, learning, and teaching about inclusion.
The Astonished! Social Club:
The Astonished! Social Club is a monthly recreation, leisure, or social gathering for Core-Members, families, and friends. Astonished! contracts with a 5 member team of vibrant young adults with and without complex physical disAbilities to plan and carry out inclusive, social, recreational, and cultural events for young adults with complex physical disAbilities and the wider community. The Social Club offers a wide variety events, such as an upcoming Spa Night on January 31 and Cougar Hockey Games on February 7 & 8!
Communication Technology and Literacy:
Our Communication Technology and Literacy program works to to enhance inclusion opportunities with young adults who do not have easy spoken language.
On June 18th, 2013 we began a summer pilot program to explore the literacy strengths, dreams, and needs of our Astonished! Core Members. This Literacy Program was a great success...and FUN! The Astonished! Team is looking forward to offering this program again in summer 2014.
Mentorship for Employment:
Astonished! is partnering with public funding organizations to support the employment dreams of our core members. Our first initiative was with our Face Book manager, Ryan Ross and we are establishing a process for further mentorship opportunities.
Why did you choose Astonished (to come to the A!TLC)?
"It seemed like the right fit for me".
"The A!TLC tries to give you the foundation you need to help you do the things you want to do".
"It is great to see all of the opportunities that A!TLC can provide me with"
The A!TLC provides programming that aims to be truly individualised.
The content and activities that take place in the A!TLC are age-appropriate and aimed at helping each Student Researcher reach their goals. The A!TLC sees great value in the importance of being social....a chance to go for coffee or to the University pub for Inclusion Café is a vital part of the post-secondary education experience!
For Kennen, Rebekah, and Kelsey - How did you become mentors in SW 479 for the fall 2013 semester?
Kaitlyn led the way! We were all impressed with Kaitlyn's experience as a mentor in fall 2012. Kaitlyn was able to deliver a presentation, make some great friends, and even make a little money in her mentorship role! We were offered the gig by SW 479 prof. Randy Johner . Randy was wonderful and quick to set our minds at ease and make us feel good about being mentors.
Everyone did good work...and a huge shout out goes to Rebekah for going to the front of the class to deliver a presentation for the very first time!
Tuesday 14 January 2014
Pizza Party Eve
Hello out there!
Pizza party eve, you ask? We answer - we are so happy to have won the RQHR World Aids Awareness Day competition! The prize? A pizza party happening tomorrow afternoon in A!TLC. !!! It will greatly add to our first PATH Wednesday, where we will help Student Researcher Kennen set some goals that will help her reach all of her big dreams!
We also took some time to answer more of your UN day questions! Here are a few to consider....
What are some of the biggest barriers that Astonished!
faces?
The awareness barrier. Although we have been on campus at the U of R for one full year now, there are lots of people who do not know who we are or what we do here. We have come a very long way in a year and there are many friendly faces and friends of the A!TLC in the hallways, but we would like to do much more. Kin students Jenny and Chelsea were a great help to helping to break this barrier during the Fall 2013 Semester, as they represented and presented Astonished! in classrooms and in the community at large. Thanks so much, ladies! The more awareness that is raised around campus, the less stigma there will be. We at the A!TLC are happy to contribute to the diversity on campus and show that the average person who would like to learn in a wonderful place like the University of Regina comes in all shapes and sizes. The stigma is only as big as you make it. Be patient and be kind.
Thanks so much for reading and take care!
Thursday 9 January 2014
New Year! New A!TLC Semester! New (to us!) questions....
Hello out there!
We are back! And thrilled to be here. The A!TLC Winter 2014 Semester is filled with many things to look forward to. And tough work, this is our first Thursday back but it being Jan 9th is the second Thursday of the month....making it an INCLUSION CAFE today! We are headed to the pub shortly.
But before we head out - we have some business! We have been promising since (last year!) December 3rd, 2013 to answer YOUR questions from the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Here's one: What are some of your favorite recreational activities?
Kelsey: Shopping!
Kennen: Getting out and doing stuff! I love fishing...and ice fishing!
Kaitlyn: Being social! Hanging out with friends and being out and about.
Rebekah: Hosting parties and serving. Riding my bike at the Field House.
And another:
How can I adapt my lesson plans to reach students with disabilities?
Ask us! Talk to us to find out what our individual needs are. There is a way to make it work. Be willing to explore the situation and offer accessible office hours. We are happy to work with you!
Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for the rest!
We are back! And thrilled to be here. The A!TLC Winter 2014 Semester is filled with many things to look forward to. And tough work, this is our first Thursday back but it being Jan 9th is the second Thursday of the month....making it an INCLUSION CAFE today! We are headed to the pub shortly.
But before we head out - we have some business! We have been promising since (last year!) December 3rd, 2013 to answer YOUR questions from the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Here's one: What are some of your favorite recreational activities?
Kelsey: Shopping!
Kennen: Getting out and doing stuff! I love fishing...and ice fishing!
Kaitlyn: Being social! Hanging out with friends and being out and about.
Rebekah: Hosting parties and serving. Riding my bike at the Field House.
And another:
How can I adapt my lesson plans to reach students with disabilities?
Ask us! Talk to us to find out what our individual needs are. There is a way to make it work. Be willing to explore the situation and offer accessible office hours. We are happy to work with you!
Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for the rest!
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