Newtown PAC Speaker To Present Assisted Technology Information

By Nancy K. Crevier

Enrico Melchiorri, assistive technology specialist for EM Enterprises out of Guilford, will be the guest speaker on November 12 for the Newtown PAC (Parents Advocating for their Children) support group. Newtown PAC was formerly known as Newtown LD.

Newtown PAC is a local organization that supports parents of children with learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory and visual processing disorders, nonverbal learning disabilities, ADD, and ADHD. It serves as a resource for parents through information sharing, mutual support, speaker presentations, area workshops, and online information.

EM Enterprises provides customer evaluation and implementation of software designed to help learning disadvantaged students successfully compete in what Mr Melchiorri calls “a language rich society,” adding that a student can lag if not language proficient.

“Software can deliver text in an auditory format, and written language in a verbal format, so that students do not fall behind in enrichment areas,” Mr Melchiorri said. By using computer technology, such as reading programs to read text off of a computer or voice recognition software, parents and educators are widening the playing field for learning disadvantaged students so that they can take on the curriculum, he said. “This approach is called ‘differentiating curriculum,’ or sometimes ‘modified’ curriculum,” explained Mr Melchiorri.

Assisted technology also includes organizational software, and software that promotes decisionmaking, prompting, and improved communication skills. “Assisted technology promotes independence,” he said.

At the November 12 program, Mr Melchiorri will be demonstrating current software available, and delivering a PowerPoint presentation overview of assisted technology. A question and answer period will follow his talk, and audience members will be able to order software directly at the meeting, as well as schedule evaluations.

The presentation will be held at the Newtown Youth & Family Services office, 17 Church Hill Road, from 7 to 9 pm. The meeting is open to all, and new members are welcome. The group consists primarily of parents of children with learning differences and tutors.

For more information contact Suzanne Lang at suzinart19@sbcglobal.net or visit newtownpac.com.