2008 WEBINAR SERIES
Literacy for ALL! Access and
Opportunity for Effective Literacy
Instruction Birth-6th Grade
February, 5, 12 and 19, 2008
(90 MINUTES, from, your home, workplace, anywhere)
Overview of Series
Students with significant disabilities have long been denied access to effective literacy
instruction in inclusive settings. Research is clearly demonstrating that all students can
develop literacy skills given access to appropriate instruction. This first Webinar series on
literacy will focus on helping participants begin to develop skills so they can provide access
and effective literacy instruction to early childhood and elementary students with significant
disabilities in inclusive settings. Although many of these strategies also apply to older
students, future Webinars will address literacy instruction specifically for students at the
middle and high school level.
Webinar objectives are to:
1. Understand the importance of powerful literacy instruction for students with
significant disabilities.
2. To articulate a clear rationale for the inclusion of students with significant
disabilities in literacy instruction in the least restrictive environment.
3. Learn emergent literacy assessment and instruction strategies for early childhood
students with significant disabilities.
4. Learn strategies to facilitate access to effective literacy instruction for elementary
school students with severe disabilities.
5. Become passionate advocates for the importance of providing opportunities for
students with significant disabilities to be included in literacy instruction at all ages.
The presenters all have personal experience providing literacy instruction to children with
significant disabilities in educational and community settings as well as publishing articles
and books on literacy instruction.
Register Today!
To Register, Visit our Website at www.TASH.org
Session 1: Overview of Early Childhood/Elementary Literacy Development and Instruction
Presenter: Liz Keefe & Susan Copeland, University of New Mexico
Date: Tuesday, February 5th Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm Eastern
5:30pm - 7:00pm Central
4:30pm - 6:00pm Mountain
3:30pm - 5:00pm Pacific
Participants will develop an understanding of the major issues in literacy instruction for
students with significant disabilities including the rationale for literacy instruction, current
federal mandates, relationship to Reading First, and an overview of evidence-based
methods.
Session 2: Differentiated Literacy Instruction During the Early Childhood Years
Presenter: Patsy Pierce, Associate Director for Early Childhood, Center for Literacy
and Disability Studies, UNC-Chapel Hill.
Date: Tuesday, February 12th Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm Eastern
5:30pm - 7:00pm Central
4:30pm - 6:00pm Mountain
3:30pm - 5:00pm Pacific
Participants will develop skills in emergent literacy and assessment strategies that can be
used effectively with children who have significant disabilities aged birth through five.
Session 3: Making Literacy Instruction Accessible for Elementary Students
Presenter: June Downing, Professor Emeritus, CSUN
Date: Tuesday, February 19th Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm Eastern
5:30pm - 7:00pm Central
4:30pm - 6:00pm Mountain
3:30pm - 5:00pm Pacific
Participants will learn strategies that can facilitate access to literacy instruction for students
with significant disabilities. These strategies will give all students the opportunity to
meaningfully participate in literacy instruction in the least restrictive environment.