|
Programs and Services
Assistive Technology
|
|
Miss Marie Cummings
Assistive Technology Coordinator
327-8411, extension 3263
|
Assistive Technology is a support service available for our students who
need it to be successful with their education. Assistive technology is defined
in two parts:
- Services - "Any service that directly assist an individual
with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive
technology device."
- Device - "Any piece of equipment, or product system, whether
acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to
increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with
disabilities.
In the Williamsport Area School District, we have many of our students
who utilize assistive technology devices and/or services. There are several
types of assistive technology available for our students, including:
- augmentative communication
- computer access
- written communication
- environmental controls
- technology for sensory impairments (i.e.. vision or
hearing)
It is important to remember that there are many options available for
students who require assistive technology. The accommodations may range from
very low tech to high tech options.
It is necessary for the IEP team to assess each student's individual
needs and determine what is best to ensure a free and appropriate education for
that student. Assistive technology is always included in the IEP for
students who require it. However, assistive technology is not a goal in
and of itself, but a tool that can be used to assist an individual to access and
achieve functional goals and outcomes. Our focus should always be on
helping our students succeed in the curriculum and on their daily routines.
For more information, please contact Marie Cummings, Assistive Technology Coordinator
at 327-8411, extension 3263.
top
Autistic Support
Students with autism spectrum disorder present unique challenges to those who
work with them. Students with autism who attend the WASD are represented within
the District’s continuum of services in terms of most to least
restrictive—depending upon individual needs. They may be served in autistic
support, learning support, or life skills support programs. For more information
on Autism Consultants, Trainings, Resources, or Related Links, please visit the
following website:
www.pattan.k12.us/svs/autism/Default.htm
top
Emotional Support
WASD offers a range of emotional support programs and services to students
with challenging behaviors. Any student who has a behavior that interferes with
his/her learning or that of others has a behavior management plan as part of the
IEP. WASD works closely with BlaST Intermediate Unit to develop functional
behavioral assessment for students with more difficult behaviors. For more
information on positive practices for students with challenging behaviors,
please visit the following websites:
www.cisc.k12.pa.us
www.pattan.k12.pa.us
top
Hearing Support
For students who require more intensive educational services and the skills
and services of a teacher of the deaf, the District offers a classroom based
program at the elementary level. This program also utilizes a full-time
interpreter to assist in the classroom as well as in general education. For
students who are older, the District contracts services with the local
Intermediate Unit.
top
Itinerant Services
The District employs a full time teacher of the deaf and a full time vision
support teacher. These individuals provide services in all schools and may
provide one-on-one instruction and/or small group instruction. They frequently
consult with general education teachers regarding adaptations and modifications
to the general curriculum.
top
Learning Support
As the largest special education program in the District, the learning
support program serves students in grades k-12 in a variety of settings and with
a multitude of supports to include tutorials, classroom paraprofessionals, and
adaptations and modifications based upon individual student needs. Each
building throughout the District houses a learning support program.
top
Life Skills Support
The Williamsport Area School District offers Life Skills Support programs at
elementary, middle and high school levels. The focus of a Life Skills Support
program is to help students with disabilities whose primary identified needs are
in the areas of independent living. Examples of independent living skills
include meal preparation, development and maintenance of personal hygiene, and
functional reading and mathematics skills. Students are included in general
education to the maximum extent appropriate and in accordance with their IEP
goals and objectives.
The Williamsport Area School District implements a board approved Life Skills
Support curriculum for students in grades K-12. The curriculum is adapted and
based on the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and
Listening, and Mathematics.
top
Multi-Disabilities Support
For students with more severe cognitive and physical disabilities, the
District provides multi-disability support classes at the elementary level. For
students at the middle and high school levels, the District hosts classes at the
middle and high school levels. The program typically serves students with
concomitant disabilities such as mental retardation-blindness, mental
retardation-orthopedic impairment, etc.
top
School-to-Work, Community Based, Job Training Program
|
 |
Mrs. Patricia Cioffi, Teacher
pcioffi@wasd.org
Office number:
323-8411, ext. 3199 |
The WASD’s High School Job Training Program targets students in special
education who are not likely to continue their educations after graduation from
high school. The major goal of the program is to prepare and guide the
non-college bound student into a successful full-time employment opportunity
upon completion of high school. When this goal is achieved, the student becomes
a self-supporting productive citizen in the Williamsport community. This
program represents a critical piece of the student’s transtion plan within the
annual IEP.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS:
Overview of Half-Day Experiences
This component provides the student with a half day paid work or exploratory
work experience in the local community. Mrs. Cioffi, the teacher who supervises
work placements, aims to match the student’s strengths, abilities, and IEP goals
to available positions in the community. In both cases, Mrs. Cioffi maintains
contact with the student and the employer and is available for consultation or
if issues arise on the job site. The student receives a grade and credit
for participation in either program. Mrs. Cioffi is also responsible for evaluating
students at the worksite. However, the employer also provides feedback that is
used in factoring the student’s grade. The following represents a menu of
supervised, paid employment or pre-employment opportunities that are based on
the student’s strengths and needs and incorporated into the transition component
of his/her IEP:
Job Training (Paid Employment Opportunities)
At this time, WASD maintains 38 students in various paid employment
experiences in the local community. Depending on the student’s work schedule and
the location of the employer, the students may ride District transportation or
access the city bus to their jobs. We thank the employers who support and teach
our students about the value of work! The following is a list of local
employers who support our students in paid experiences:
| Burger King (2 Locations) |
Radisson
Hotel |
| Pure Country Dairy |
Memorial Park Puff, Inc. |
| McDonald’s |
Equinox |
| Walmart |
Manhattan Bagel |
| Hoss’ Restaurant |
Madson
Car Wash |
| Wendy’s |
Taco Bell |
| Wegman’s |
Franco’s |
| Kmar |
JP
Stone |
| Trautner and Sons |
Dino’s |
| Donut Deli |
Friendly’s |
| Green Lawn |
Various School Cafeterias in WASD |
Community Based Vocational Training (Non-Paid Experiences)
The Community Volunteer Work Program provides students with a rotating menu
of nonpaid job opportunities throughout the community. When a student
successfully completes two years within the Volunteer Program, he/she is
recommended for a paid work experience based upon skills and preferences. The
program provides an unpaid, school-to-work job shadowing experience. Like the
paid program, students are evaluated every nine weeks and receive a grade based
upon their progress. The program’s main goal is exploratory in nature and allows
students to experience different types of work experiences without having to
make a long-term commitment to a particular job. The following represent
non-paid sites within the community:
| Sycamore Manor |
Econo Lodge |
| Williamsport Hospital |
YMCA |
| Radisson Hotel |
Center for Independent Living |
| Divine Providence Hospital |
American Rescue Workers |
| Hampton Inn |
Roseview Manor |
| Holy Ghost Car Wash |
Bill and Peg’s Diner |
| Williamsport Home |
James V. Brown Public Library |
| Wesley Day Care |
|
Classroom Component
The classroom provides academic instruction based on various topics covered
in a class called “Life Skills”. The course is designed to teach pre and post
employment skills such as resume writing, interview techniques, job application
completion, and work ethic.
Vocational Transition Site Program
Since its establishment in May, 1993, the Vocational Transition Site program
has provided opportunities for students with moderate to severe disabilities to
engage in volunteer work experiences. The goals of the program are two-fold.
First, students are given the opportunity to learn initial vocational skills
with the support and modeling of their classroom teachers, Mr. Gene Breisch and
Mrs. Bonnie Williams. Second, students learn appropriate leisure and
communication skills within the context of a natural work setting. Students
perform basic house cleaning, janitorial, and clerical jobs two days per week at
the Susquehanna Health System’s Williamsport Campus site.
top
Job Coach Program
In January 2002, The Williamsport Area School District entered an interagency
agreement with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
(Williamsport District Office) and Lycoming-Clinton Office of MH/MR. The purpose
of the agreement was to establish a pilot program for students with moderate
disabilities who will require specialized services during their senior year from
school to competitive employment through the cooperative efforts of the
District, OVR, and MHMR. Although each agency has its own set of
responsibilities toward the child, the blend of all parties ensures that a more
successful job experience can be obtained. Costs of funding the program are
shared as well.
In short, a student receives job coach services in order to meet competitive
employment outcomes as specified in his or her IEP. The major goal of a job
coach is to provide a high degree of structure on a paid worksite so that the
student can learn and perform the job as independently as possible. Over time,
it is hoped that the job coach will reduce the amount of time spent with the
student and that the student will acquire the necessary skills to remain
gainfully employed. At this time, Skills Incorporated provides the job coach
services for the designated pilot of students.
top
Children's Cabinet
The Williamsport Area School District hosts a quarterly
Children's Cabinet meeting. Special education coordinators from all districts in
Lycoming County meet with county representatives from Offices of Mental
Health, Mental Retardation, Juvenile Probation, and multiple agencies to include
counseling services, drug and alcohol services, and other family support
services. The purpose of the meetings is to provide a forum to discuss
coordination among districts and agencies in order to work toward a "seamless"
system of service provision in schools. Issues are identified by agency and
school personnel. The two entities brainstorm solutions as well as
updating each other on policy and budget issues that impact children and their
families.
top
|