IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Mary Kay Walch: 651-294-2218

AbleNet's Sneak Product Peek for Closing The Gap 25th Annual Conference October 17-20, 2007

Always on the leading edge of what's new for students and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, AbleNet puts the spotlight on "Wave," "Rock," "Cruise," "Lingo," "Flip" and its exciting new adapted student periodicals developed in partnership with Weekly Reader.

St. Paul, MN (PRWEB) October 9, 2007 - With the 25th annual Closing The Gap conference in Bloomington, Minnesota just days away, the folks at AbleNet are looking forward to demonstrating their new line of computer access tools, a brand new personal communicator, their infinitely portable automatic pager turner and the newly announced adapted classroom periodicals developed specifically for special education students in collaboration with Weekly Reader.

Often called "the most significant networking experience of the year," the annual Closing The Gap Conference has earned an international reputation as a leading source for information about innovative uses of technology for persons with disabilities. For AbleNet, Closing The Gap's annual conference represents an opportunity to showcase the newest additions to the company's long line of assistive technologies for use in special education classrooms, rehabilitation facilities, vocational training centers, at home, or out and about.

At this year's conference, AbleNet will showcase its new line of computer access tools, including "Wireless Wave" and "Wave," two versions of an oversized trackball device specifically designed for persons with limited hand control, motor skill difficulty and hand-eye coordination challenges. The company will also introduce "Rock," a mouse alternative that comes with three interchangeable joystick handles, including a straight stem, a t-bar and a large soft ball, and "Cruise," a new breed of mouse that requires no hand or wrist movement whatsoever, instead, users control the speed and direction of the cursor with a single, soft touch of a control ring.

Closing The Gap attendees will also get the very first look at "Lingo," an eight-message communication aid that is small and light enough to be worn comfortably around the neck or shoulder, or at the waist.

In keeping with the company's long-standing reputation as an advocate for literacy, AbleNet is proud to introduce "Flip," the innovative automatic page turner that allows users to move through the pages of magazines, paperbacks and hardcover books at the push of a button or switch.

Perhaps the biggest buzz among special education teachers this fall is the collaboration between Weekly Reader and AbleNet, two respected companies that have teamed up to provide scientifically proven content in the form of monthly periodicals specifically designed for elementary and secondary students. Dubbed "Weekly Reader AbleNet Editions," these unique publications deliver state standard educational content, and are adapted using Boardmaker® picture symbols, an industry standard for differentiated instruction that has been proven effective in providing meaningful literacy and communication experiences to students with complex cognitive disabilities. In addition to the student publications, a specially designed teacher's guide provides instructional strategies, techniques for incorporating assistive technologies and methods for literacy, grade level content, and functional skills development.

AbleNet has always been an active participant at Closing The Gap, and this year is no different. Ann Meyer, Director of Research and Development for AbleNet will host an informative one-hour session demonstrating the incredible power of the "Weekly Reader AbleNet Editions" when paired with assistive technology tools. (Saturday, October 20, 2007 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM)

Also on the literacy front, Dr. Karen Erickson, Director and Associate Professor at the Center for Literacy and Disabilities Studies in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, will share the exciting outcomes realized by more than 100 students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities who participated in "Project Converge," a recent research project. The two-hour session also includes a sneak peek at the end result of Dr. Erickson's research - a scientifically supported reading program for older students that blends AbleNet's "MEville to WEville" with Don Johnston's "Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters." (Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM)

AbleNet will also host a number of mini-sessions in Cabana Room 118, located by the pool on the first floor of the hotel. For more information, call AbleNet Customer Service or stop by the AbleNet booth for a schedule of topics and times.

For additional information about the 25th Annual Closing The Gap conference to be held October 18 - 20, 2007 at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, in Bloomington, Minnesota, visit http://www.closingthegap.com/conf/.

For additional information about AbleNet and AbleNet products, visit http://www.ablenetinc.com/.

About AbleNet

AbleNet offers a complete line of assistive technology products, including communication aids for non-verbal students, and access aids, such as switches and wheelchair mounting devices for students who require physical supports. The company is also recognized for developing research-based special education curricula that meet state and federal mandates. Located in Roseville, Minnesota, AbleNet is an ESOP company that sells its products through a network of distributors in more than 50 countries. AbleNet's products and programs have been used in tens of thousands of classrooms nationally for more than 20 years. For more information, visit www.ablenetinc.com.

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