PODD Training 2025

The Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center, along with our partner the CTC Academy, in proud to offer a series of PODD Training with PODD trainer Kelly Fonner.

Training Fees:

Registration includes manual / materials and light breakfast / snacks each day.

Hotel reservation not included and will be the responsibility of the participant.

IMPORTANT NOTES

RE: TRAINING LOCATION

Intro to PODD (11/11 & 11/12) will be delivered at the CTC Academy, Oakland NJ

Alt Access (11/13) & SGD (11/14) will be delivered at a location TBD which will be geographically close to Oakland NJ. As soon as this is confirmed, we will update participants.

The two day Introduction to PODD course has VERY limited capacity so if you are interested in this training, register today!

11/11/25 - 11/12/25: Intro to PODD Cost $249

11/13/25: Alternative Access to PODD Books Cost $149

11/14/25: SGD - Speech Generating Devices with PODD Page Sets Cost $149

Bundles:

Join us for ALL 4 days. (11/11/25 - 11/14/25) Cost $399

Alt Access / SGD trainings. (11/13/25 - 11/14/25) Cost $249

Training Details

11/11/25 - 11/12/25: Intro to PODD Training is a two-day course that will demonstrate the use of a Pragmatic Organization of Dynamic Display (PODD) approach developed by Gayle Porter (Melbourne, Australia). Generic templates for multi-page “light tech” communication books have been carefully designed to support genuine communication for a variety of functions throughout the day. These templates may be customized for a range of access methods and other individual needs. The newer electronic versions available through the Grid & Compass Apps will also be briefly demonstrated.

Participants will learn strategies for creating multi-modal language learning environments that provide receptive models and expressive opportunities for language development. Learn strategies for teaching and using PODD with children and their communication partners. A wide variety of student case examples will be shared through videos.

Participants will have an opportunity for hands-on practice with the 2 most used PODD communication books. These are the 12PODD Expanded Functions & the 70PODD. There will be demonstration models of over 15 types of PODD books for participants to view throughout the training. Videos will be of children using these books.

Registration for Intro to PODD (2 day) is $249 and includes manual / materials and light breakfast / lunch both days.

This course meets the requirements for 14 hours of continuing professional development for Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists as required by the licensing boards of each professional organization. A certificate that can be self-submitted will be issued following attendance verification and evaluation completion. 100% attendance is required to earn certificate.

11/13/25: Alternative Access to PODD Books is a one day course.

A range of alternative access PODD communication book will be discussed including: eye-gaze (eye-pointing), partner-assisted scanning (visual, auditory, visual plus auditory scanning), combination access, and coded access. The design features to suit, procedures to operate and teach each access method will be presented. Participants will have the opportunity to practice using each access method.

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the different PODD design considerations/options to accommodate for alternative access methods.
• Outline the considerations for selecting different access methods to suit individual requirements.
• Perform the partner operational procedures to use a range of alternate access methods.
• Discuss problem-solving methodologies for developing operational skills for individuals who have severe movement difficulties (e.g. developing accept/reject movements for scanning).

Registration for Alternative Access to PODD (1 day) is $149 and includes manual / materials and light breakfast / snacks.

NOTE: PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE INTRO TO PODD PRIOR TO ATTENDING. Please note on registration form where/when/ who delivered course.

This course meets the requirements for 7 hours of continuing professional development for Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists as required by the licensing boards of each professional organization. A certificate that can be self-submitted will be issued following attendance verification and evaluation completion. 100% attendance is required to earn certificate.

11/14/25: SGD: Speech Generating Devices with PODD Page Sets is a one day course.

Ever wondered why PODD pages sets for speech generating devices are not direct copies of the corresponding language level of a PODD communication book? This workshop will explain the similarities, differences and variations in vocabulary organisations needed to capitalize on, and accommodate for, the innate differences between paper books and electronic devices.

The focus of this workshop is the design features of PODD page sets to suit speech generating devices. The content will build on the information relating to the purpose, design principles, intervention strategies and use of PODD communication books covered in the two-day introductory workshop. The efficiencies resulting from predicting vocabulary usage patterns in the PODD page sets for speech generating devices will be demonstrated for different stages of communication and language development.

Hands-on practical experiences will also provide participants with opportunities:

• to explore the features and vocabulary organization of PODD page sets designed to suit varying communication and language requirements
• to learn how to use the features built into the PODD page sets to customize vocabulary for different communication purposes
• develop fluency using the PODD page sets to model and expand language.

Teaching and learning strategies that have been found effective for implementing the PODD integrated communication system (paper books and electronic devices) to support the development of autonomous communication at any time will be shared.

This workshop will also provide participants with opportunities:

• to explore the features and vocabulary organization of PODD electronic page sets designed to suit varying communication and language requirements
• to learn how to use the features built into the PODD electronic page sets to customize vocabulary for different communication purposes
• to determine which electronic page set may match communication and language requirements of individuals

Teaching and learning strategies that have been found effective for implementing the PODD integrated communication system (paper books and electronic devices) to support the development of autonomous communication at any time will be shared.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own iPad or Laptop that already has a PODD electronic page set. There will not be one device per person. Please download this BEFORE the day of training, some options will require a permission from the company.

Here are the current options that may be brought or ways to get a free trial downloaded:

• · iPad with Assistiveware’s simPODD app
• · iPad or Laptop with Jabbla’s MindExpress app with PODD page sets
• · iPad or Laptop with Smartbox Technology’s Grid app with PODD page sets
• · iPad or Laptop with TobiiDynavox’s TDSnap app with PODD page sets

If you do not have one of these apps already, you may want to consider downloading one of the trial options.

· Assistiveware has a one month option to download and use simPODD (about $22)

If you are an SLP/CCC or another AAC professional, you can often create a professional account at some of the AAC companies and/or download an assessment version that you could use during this training. You will need to download both the AAC software and the PODD page sets.

• · Jabbla has a free download trial of MindExpress and PODD page sets.
• Smartbox has a free 60 day download of Grid and also the PODD pagesets.
• TobiiDyanvox gives you the ability to create a professional account and request a free download of TDSnap and also the PODD page sets.

Registration for SGD: Speech Generating Devices with PODD Page Sets (1 day) is $149 and includes manual / materials and light breakfast / snacks.

NOTE: PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE INTRO TO PODD PRIOR TO ATTENDING. Please note on registration form where/when/ who delivered course.

This course meets the requirements for 7 hours of continuing professional development for Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists as required by the licensing boards of each professional organization. A certificate that can be self-submitted will be issued following attendance verification and evaluation completion. 100% attendance is required to earn certificate.

Also check out other Workshops in Oakland.