Summer Institute

Developing and Enhancing the Communication Path: Making the Road Easier to Successful Communication
through Inclusion of Assistive Technology (AT)

Training Description

This presentation will review a variety of ways that teachers, speech-language pathologists, paraprofessionals, and other stakeholders can continue to create a positive learning environment to enhance communication interactions, increase communication opportunities, and put communication systems in place for students through the use of a variety of Assistive Technology.

Training Objectives

• Participants will become aware of a variety of tools to assist them in establishing communication systems.
• Participants will learn about the different roles that stakeholders play to assist students with communicating effectively in the educational setting.
• Participants will learn about a variety of resources that can be utilized to develop and enhance communication interactions in the classroom and beyond.

Target Audience

Educators, Administrators, SLPs, OTs, PTs, & Family Members

About the Presenters

Josephine Mongiovi M.S., CCC-SLP, M.Ed., received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Florida. She also has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. Currently, she works as a Speech-Language Pathologist and a Local Assistive Technology Specialist on the Alternative Communication Assistive Technology Team with Hillsborough County Public Schools. She has worked with the School District of Hillsborough County for 28 years. Her area of expertise is working with students with complex needs who are non-speaking or have limited verbal communication. She has presented at the Assistive Technology Industry Association, for the Florida Problem Solving/Response to Intervention - Technology & Learning Connections Project, and at the University of South Florida Communication Sciences and Disorders College. She has also provided workshops for Hillsborough County Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, Paraprofessionals, Families, and other stakeholders.

Dana Hoang B.A, InD., received her Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in the field of Education.  She holds certification in Exceptional Student Education K-12, Elementary Education K-5, and ESOL.  In 2023, Dana received her Assistive Technology Professional certification.  She taught for 5 years in Michigan for students with severe/multiple impairments.  She helped develop the secondary Severe Multiple Impaired programs for Rochester Community School District before moving to Florida.  She has worked in Kindergarten ESE classrooms up to post-secondary ESE with a focus in reading literacy, writing, and using AAC.  She currently works as a Local Assistive Technology Specialist for Hillsborough County Public Schools.