Many web-based tools crucial for education and employment rely on mouse-driven interactions such as drag and drop. Without alternative input support, the mouse-dependency creates barriers for individuals who don’t use a mouse. This session addresses keyboard accessibility as a basic usability need and explores current solutions. It introduces OpenKeyNav, a novel, open source, MIT-licensed JavaScript library developed by Lawrence Weru. The library is designed to help developers provide keyboard navigation and interaction on web applications, particularly for complex tasks like drag-and-drop. Through practical examples and demonstrations attendees gain insights into how developers can build more inclusive web experiences. This session balances a brief overview of web accessibility principles with a focus on a concrete, developer-level solution that can make a significant impact on user autonomy and participation.
Learning Outcomes
- List some of the latest advancements for enhancing keyboard navigation and interaction in web applications, moving beyond basic navigation to address complex interactions and interfaces that might appear in education and work environments.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of OpenKeyNav, from its conceptual framework to its application in real-world scenarios, highlighting its accessibility aids such as dynamically generated shortcuts, keyboard-only drag-and-drop interaction, and debug mode for improving web accessibility.
- Evaluate the broader implications of implementing advanced keyboard accessibility, including the potential to significantly increase user autonomy and participation for individuals with disabilities in digital environments.
Assessment and eligibility are critical components of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) process. In this session, attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of these key elements, with a special focus on conducting comprehensive assessments. Through interactive group activities, participants will reinforce their knowledge and apply practical strategies. Additionally, attendees will receive valuable resources and materials to support their work in assessment and eligibility determination.
This workshop will have four total sections that will be presented, three sessions in the a.m. and one final session in the p.m. It is recommended that participants attend all four sessions.
They are as follows:
- Part 1 – Intake and Application (deep dive into comprehensive assessment)
- Part 2 – Eligibility Determination (asking the important questions, putting intake, assessment together to identify the impairments and impediments to employment)
- Part 3 – IPE Development (putting it all together, intake, comprehensive assessment, great eight, etc. to find the impediments to employment, identify rehab need)
- Part 4 – IPE Development Cont. (steps to selecting services, putting services in the IPE, amendments, monitoring progress, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Components of Assessment – Gain insight into the key elements of assessment, with a special focus on conducting a comprehensive assessment.
- Connect Assessment to Eligibility – Learn how assessment outcomes inform and support the eligibility determination process in the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) program.
- Identify the Six Eligibility Criteria – Recognize and apply the six essential criteria for determining an applicant’s eligibility for TVR services.
Assessment and eligibility are critical components of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) process. In this session, attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of these key elements, with a special focus on conducting comprehensive assessments. Through interactive group activities, participants will reinforce their knowledge and apply practical strategies. Additionally, attendees will receive valuable resources and materials to support their work in assessment and eligibility determination.
This workshop will have four total sections that will be presented, three sessions in the a.m. and one final session in the p.m. It is recommended that participants attend all four sessions.
They are as follows:
- Part 1 – Intake and Application (deep dive into comprehensive assessment)
- Part 2 – Eligibility Determination (asking the important questions, putting intake, assessment together to identify the impairments and impediments to employment)
- Part 3 – IPE Development (putting it all together, intake, comprehensive assessment, great eight, etc. to find the impediments to employment, identify rehab need)
- Part 4 – IPE Development Cont. (steps to selecting services, putting services in the IPE, amendments, monitoring progress, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Components of Assessment – Gain insight into the key elements of assessment, with a special focus on conducting a comprehensive assessment.
- Connect Assessment to Eligibility – Learn how assessment outcomes inform and support the eligibility determination process in the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) program.
- Identify the Six Eligibility Criteria – Recognize and apply the six essential criteria for determining an applicant’s eligibility for TVR services.
Discover how free AI tools can revolutionize K-12 education by giving educators more time with students and enabling individualized instruction. This session explores practical applications of AI to enhance teaching efficiency and student engagement, addressing ethical considerations and providing resources for effective implementation. The session is based on extensive research and practical experience in AI integration in education, including projects like Magic School AI, Diffit, BriskAI. iKNOW, and Boodlebot. It highlights AI tools' benefits while addressing privacy, bias, and misinformation concerns. The presentation draws on insights from over 15 peer-reviewed publications and numerous presentations on innovative technology in education. Come see how AI tools can streamline administrative tasks and engage students in personalized instruction, allowing educators to focus more on meaningful interactions with their students.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will explore free AI tools that enhance teaching efficiency and student engagement.
- Participants will effectively implement three free AI tools to individualize instruction for their students and support diverse learning needs.
- Participants will accurately identify and understand the reasons behind the ethical considerations of AI use in the classroom.
Effective communication is essential when developing programs, evaluations, and documentation across various settings. This panel explores how AI tools can support professionals in assessing and addressing their constituencies’ needs. The discussion begins with a broad overview on AI’s potential role in providing guidance across various fields with different communications. Then the panel will illustrate how AI can help teachers reduce workload while ensuring accuracy, personalization, and ethical considerations by presenting an example of AI-generated IEPs, highlighting usability, benefits, and limitations. Though IEP-focused, this discussion benefits all professionals involved in preparing plans and reports.
- Attendees will learn how AI tools can assist in drafting individualized plans and documentation by improving coherence, reducing workload, and ensuring alignment with legal requirements.
- The session will highlight how AI tools should be integrated as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for expertise, emphasizing the importance of professional engagement when using AI-assisted processes.
- The session will outline both the advantages (efficiency, clarity, consistency) and concerns (bias, ethical considerations, over-reliance) of using AI tools.
Creating an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and delivering Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services are essential components of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) process. The IPE serves as a roadmap for both the consumer and the TVR counselor, guiding the provision of services and monitoring progress toward the employment goal.
In this session, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of IPE development and the delivery of TVR services. Through interactive group activities, participants will reinforce their learning and apply practical strategies. Additionally, attendees will receive valuable resources and materials to support effective IPE development and service provision.
This workshop will have four total sections that will be presented, three sessions in the a.m. and one final session in the p.m. It is recommended that participants attend all four sessions.
They are as follows:
- Part 1 – Intake and Application (deep dive into comprehensive assessment)
- Part 2 – Eligibility Determination (asking the important questions, putting intake, assessment together to identify the impairments and impediments to employment)
- Part 3 – IPE Development (putting it all together, intake, comprehensive assessment, great eight, etc. to find the impediments to employment, identify rehab need)
- Part 4 – IPE Development Cont. (steps to selecting services, putting services in the IPE, amendments, monitoring progress, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Mandatory Components of the IPE – Learn the required elements of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) services that can be included.
- Identify Essential VR Services – Recognize the vocational rehabilitation services that can be incorporated into an IPE to support consumer success.
- Develop a Draft IPE – Apply knowledge by creating a draft IPE based on a consumer case scenario.
Creating an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and delivering Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services are essential components of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) process. The IPE serves as a roadmap for both the consumer and the TVR counselor, guiding the provision of services and monitoring progress toward the employment goal.
In this session, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of IPE development and the delivery of TVR services. Through interactive group activities, participants will reinforce their learning and apply practical strategies. Additionally, attendees will receive valuable resources and materials to support effective IPE development and service provision.
This workshop will have four total sections that will be presented, three sessions in the a.m. and one final session in the p.m. It is recommended that participants attend all four sessions.
They are as follows:
- Part 1 – Intake and Application (deep dive into comprehensive assessment)
- Part 2 – Eligibility Determination (asking the important questions, putting intake, assessment together to identify the impairments and impediments to employment)
- Part 3 – IPE Development (putting it all together, intake, comprehensive assessment, great eight, etc. to find the impediments to employment, identify rehab need)
- Part 4 – IPE Development Cont. (steps to selecting services, putting services in the IPE, amendments, monitoring progress, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Mandatory Components of the IPE – Learn the required elements of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) services that can be included.
- Identify Essential VR Services – Recognize the vocational rehabilitation services that can be incorporated into an IPE to support consumer success.
- Develop a Draft IPE – Apply knowledge by creating a draft IPE based on a consumer case scenario.
Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) has the potential to influence all aspects of life, including education and supports for people with disabilities. To realize these benefits, it is incumbent on educators to both understand this emergent technology and know how to make informed decisions about its use. However, recent surveys indicate that fewer than half of all educators have received any professional development on using generative AI.
Through lecture, demos, and hands-on activities, AT consultant Shelley Haven will provide attendees with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and (just as importantly) confidence to effectively apply genAI tools to teaching and learning tasks, with a focus on disabilities and assistive technology accommodations. Participants will use selected generative AI tools to better understand key concepts and applications.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the fundamental concepts behind generative AI, such as what generative AI is (and isn't), how it works, and its built-in shortcomings.
- Differentiate between the ever-increasing plethora of genAI and AI-enhanced tools.
- Demonstrate the ability to create effective text prompts and image prompts.
- Describe at least four best practices that address genAI issues such as equity and access for all students, privacy, bias, and ethical use.
- Apply a methodology for determining whether a task is best supported by generative AI tools or traditional "fixed function" assistive technology tools.
- Explain how schools, agencies, or organizations can identify their genAI needs and make plans for improvement.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quickly become commonplace in all aspects of life, including the workplace. In recent years, the usage of AI in pre-screening job applicants has come under scrutiny and criticism, as having a negative impact on candidates with disabilities and other protected classifications. There may also be pros with the application of AI to provide workplace accommodation.
This session will provide an overview of reasonable accommodation protections for job applicants and employees, a summary of the downfalls of AI to pre-screen applicants, and will explore the ways in which AI can provide beneficial assistive technology tools and resources to help workers and job applicants, from the perspective of employment attorneys and a Vocational Rehabilitation advocate with Disability Rights Arizona.
Learning Outcomes
- After attending the session, participants will be able to: (1) Identify workplace reasonable accommodation rights.
- (2) Assess both positive and negative usage of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace.
- (3) Evaluate options for usage of AI driven technology as a workplace reasonable accommodation.
- (4) Identify Al tools that support accessibility, mental health, adaptive learning, and job readiness for vocational rehabilitation clients.
