This page lists the confirmed breakout sessions at the 2022 Literacy Texas Annual Conference with the primary topic of Learning Differences & Disabilities. Secondary topics are listed with each session.
Creating Accessible Content for our Neurodiverse World
Neurodiversity is a concept that embraces the variations in how humans experience and interact with the world.
In this session, we’ll break down the concept of neurodiversity and consider strategies we can apply to our communication practices with community members, colleagues, and other people in our networks to more effectively meet their needs.
Presenter: Melanie Sampson
Organization: Literacy Works
Making Space for Everyone: Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a way of teaching that ensures everyone in the class can learn the material – regardless of learning needs.
In this training, we’re going to delve into the principles of this concept and investigate how adopting a UDL approach can help reduce harm in your classroom. We’ll also discuss practical techniques for incorporating the principles of UDL into your education practice.
Presenter: Keighty Ward
Organization: Literacy Works
Got Accommodations? Assisting Adult Learners in the Classroom
Guess what, there are everyday items that can assist students with learning disabilities who may be attending your literacy program, right now! These tools become assistive technology (AT) aides which provide support for students during instruction and help them leverage their neurodiverse strengths! You will see and play with some of the AT during the session and leave with an alignment chart with matches specific AT to academic skill areas.
Presenters: AnneMarie Molinari-Sanders, Beth Ponder
Organization: Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy & Learning (TCALL)
Dyslexia and Illiteracy: Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading
You will learn about dyslexia and the causal relationship with adult illiteracy rates in Texas. We will explore why some children are left behind in the Texas education system and become adults who cannot read.
How can we solve Texas’ illiteracy problem? Using a structured literacy program (Science of Reading) can change lives of both children and adults. We will explore the components of a structured literacy program.
Presenter: Jenny Cantrell, CALT, LDT
