Webinars and Trainings - Early Intervention and Special Education Services

The webinar "Ensuring Communication Access for All: Towards Challenging Ableism and Unlocking Possibilities" was presented on April 11, 2024 by Dr. Yoosun Chung. Dr. Chung is an associate professor in the Division of Special Education and disAbility Research within the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Chung earned both her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (CS) and her doctoral degree with a specialization in Assistive Technology (AT) from the same institution. She holds a master’s degree in CS from Cornell University. 

Her research interests include individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), individuals with disAbilities and the application of AT. Chung served as the President of the United States Society for AAC (USSAAC) between 2020 and 2022. She is a distinguished educator, having been the recipient of both the 2020 Online Teaching Excellence Award and the 2012 Teaching Excellence Award – Teaching with Technology from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University. She was also recognized with the Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecture Award from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2017 and WORDS+/ISAAC Outstanding Consumer Lecture Award from the International Society for AAC (ISAAC) in 2006. It was attended by LEA leaders, staff members, and family members from around the state.

Lisa Mihalich Quinn, M.A / M.Ed. is a licensed special educator with more than 15 years of experience making academic content accessible for neurodiverse students and learners who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She is a former Montgomery County Public Schools teacher and the founder of Reach Every Voice, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with communication access needs, and cofounder of Communication for Education, an online training program for people who support students using text-based multimodal communication in educational settings. Lisa trains individuals, groups, and schools in the U.S. and around the world to incorporate best practices for supporting AAC users in inclusive settings, empowering all learners to access rigorous academic instruction in classrooms with their peers.

These modules are designed for educators, administrators, and anyone committed to advancing educational opportunities for students with significant cognitive disabilities. With an in-depth exploration of Appendix A, you’ll uncover how this document guides the eligibility and educational planning for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. As the modules unfold, you’ll gain knowledge on defining characteristics, learn about tailored teaching strategies, and discover how to adapt curricula to meet diverse learning needs. Each module is crafted to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to create more inclusive educational environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive. From enhancing communicative competence to understanding adaptive needs, you'll gain practical insights that can be immediately applied to your work. Join us as we explore how to effectively apply the Alternate Framework and ensure that all students receive the comprehensive and respectful education they deserve. Let’s begin this journey together and make a significant impact in the world of education.

An introduction of The Maryland Certificate of Program Completion Endorsements including COMAR requirements, efforts to date, an overview of the three Endorsements, and a description of the phased rollout.

A training on the Maryland Certificate of Program Completion Endorsements Competency Observation process, including the purpose of the observation and a review of the rubric tool and observation look for.