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.
This presentation aims to showcase the diverse and life-changing roles of service animals. A panel of service animal handlers and users will highlight various types of service animals, including dogs who guide individuals who are blind or have low vision, dogs for the individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, service animals for individuals in wheelchairs, those with PTSD, and individuals with autism.
Panelists will include individuals with disabilities, as well as parents. Many will be accompanied by their service animal.
Learning Outcomes
- By the end of the panel, the audience will have a deeper understanding of how service animals improve the lives of people with disabilities.
- By the end of this session, attendees will have a deeper understanding about the level of training and commitment required to make these animals effective helpers.
Rachel Simon’s sister Beth is a spirited woman who lives a full and independent life in her community. In this talk, based on Rachel’s memoir Riding The Bus With My Sister and illustrated by photos, Rachel takes you on a journey – her journey as a sister, and Beth’s journey as she moves from childhood to adulthood and into an independent life. This talk incorporates such issues as parental struggles and victories, the concerns of siblings throughout the life cycle, the transition to adulthood, inclusion, self-determination, romantic relationships, travel training, and friends in the community.
Learning Outcomes
- Self-determination is the key to a fulfilled life. This talk illustrates how the support of friends, partners, and staff makes a difference for both the individual’s self-determination and those who have yet to get on board.
- Life passions are universal. This talk illustrates how engaging with a person’s life passion facilitates understanding and moving beyond conflict.
- Inclusion benefits everyone. This talk illustrates the relationship between inclusion, independence, and community embrace of a person’s individuality.
We will begin by highlighting the importance of adaptation and the role of adapted physical education (APE). We will begin by discussing the use of a student centered approach, review the development of individualized education programs and strategies for assessing goals. We will discuss examples of inclusive games and discuss their benefits. We will explore the use of AT and strategies and demo the process in creating an adapted device. We will describe how these adaptations and strategies are used in an after school adapted wheelchair basketball program. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in an adapted game activity simulating an APE session. By the end, participants should have a greater awareness of the importance of APE in promoting independence and encouraging physical activity.
Learning Outcomes
- As a result of this activity, participants will be able to define adaptive physical education and its importance in promoting physical activity among individuals with disabilities.
- As a result of this activity, participants will identify inclusive games and activities for adaptive physical education that promote social interaction, balance and coordination, and cardiovascular endurance.
- As a result of this activity, participants will identify ways to incorporate the use of assistive technology in adaptive physical education, including the types of assistive technology available and their benefits, and how to implement them in physical education.
“Apple provides many great accessibility settings in their iOS devices. Some AAC apps have built-in accessibility settings as well. This hands-on session will compare and contrast the adjustments which are available in iOS and the PRC-Saltillo AAC apps. The course also examines tool-use learning for AAC, using the Assessment of Learning Process (ALP) framework. Clinicians will gain insights into alternative access evaluation and strategy development through interprofessional collaboration.
Discussions cover assessment, teaching strategies, and adjustments to enhance communication, addressing movement disorders and vision-related issues. Audience participation includes reviewing videos and clinical strategies. This course equips participants with practical approaches to optimize AAC access and communication effectiveness using iOS.”
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the three stages and eight phases of the ALP for AAC.
- Explain three considerations in assessing a client’s level of AAC access proficiency.
- Contrast the iOS accessibility settings with the app-specific access settings.
Despite advancements in civil rights protections and non-discrimination laws, people with disabilities continued to be employed at much lower rates than their non-disabled peers. This unacceptable practice persists for many reasons, all of which need to end. It is well established that people with disabilities also experience higher rates of poverty. The only route out of poverty is WORK, yet we continue to deny individuals the opportunity for real work at real wages. Let's end this practice now and understand that when everybody works, everybody wins.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize and accept that employment opportunities are a right for everyone including individuals with significant disabilities.
- Understand multiple strategies/approaches to employment and how to best utilize these to meet employment needs of individuals facing workplace barriers.
- Generate 3 positive statements to support and encourage individuals to seek real jobs at real wages.
Join us for an exciting session on adaptive gaming controllers and accessible gaming! In this hands-on event, we’ll explore current adaptive controllers, such as the Xbox Adaptive Controller, and demonstrate how different access methods—like switches, joysticks, and voice commands—can be combined for a fully personalized gaming experience. Learn about the latest advancements in assistive technology, including new controllers and devices coming soon to the market. Whether you’re a gamer or just getting started, discover how these innovations can empower individuals with disabilities, creating more inclusive gaming opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to engage with new technologies and learn how to enhance the gaming experience for everyone!
Learning Outcomes
- Learn the key features of current adaptive gaming controllers and how they enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- Explore how integrating different access methods, such as switches, joysticks, and eyegaze can create a personalized and inclusive gaming experience.
- Learn about what’s new in adaptive controllers and upcoming technologies that are shaping the future of accessible gaming.
In life, we want to find things that will help us in our endeavor to do great things. Technology can help us or hinder us depending on how it is used. As technology continues to advance and integrate into every aspect of our lives, it is important that we learn to maximize its efficiency while still maintaining one’s personal self-efficacy, problem solving skills and mobility skills. This presentation will discuss best practices for integrating technology use in orientation and mobility instructions (however the principles can be applied in all disciplines). Things that will be covered will include the compass app, Moovit app, transit apps, google maps, Blindsquare, ride share apps, note taking, recordings, technologies such as Aira, Meta Glasses and AI enhancing navigation tools.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding Foundational Skills: Participants will gain insight into the essential O&M skills needed to effectively use technology in Orientation and Mobility.
- Real-Life Applications: Participants will explore real-life examples of how various apps and technologies can enhance their travel experiences.
- Implementing Structured Discovery: Participants will acquire strategies for integrating Structured Discovery Training with technology and cane travel to enhance their teaching practices.
We will begin by highlighting the importance of adaptation and the role of adapted physical education (APE). We will begin by discussing the use of a student centered approach, review the development of individualized education programs and strategies for assessing goals. We will discuss examples of inclusive games and discuss their benefits. We will explore the use of AT and strategies and demo the process in creating an adapted device. We will describe how these adaptations and strategies are used in an after school adapted wheelchair basketball program. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in an adapted game activity simulating an APE session. By the end, participants should have a greater awareness of the importance of APE in promoting independence and encouraging physical activity.
Learning Outcomes
- As a result of this activity, participants will be able to define adaptive physical education and its importance in promoting physical activity among individuals with disabilities.
- As a result of this activity, participants will identify inclusive games and activities for adaptive physical education that promote social interaction, balance and coordination, and cardiovascular endurance.
- As a result of this activity, participants will identify ways to incorporate the use of assistive technology in adaptive physical education, including the types of assistive technology available and their benefits, and how to implement them in physical education.
Arizona Vocational Rehabilitation (AZ VR) has many services relating to Assistive Technology. Vehicle Modifications is only one of the many services AZ VR can provide for our qualifying clients. Transportation is one of the largest barriers to people with disabilities. Today’s employment market is usually a shared in-person and/or virtual environment. Currently in Arizona, there are trains, buses, taxis, Dial-a Ride and other private or non-profit funded services. Unfortunately, there is either a lack of those services or those services do not meet the needs of the client. I have discovered especially in remote areas transportation services are either non-existent or too expensive. Join me in exploring your driving options.
Learning Outcomes
- Considerations of Adaptive Driving in AZ Vocational Rehabilitation
- Gain an understanding of the AZ Vocational Rehabilitation process in obtaining a Vehicle Modification
- Identify some of the Vehicle Conversions and Adaptive Equipment necessary to access and drive a Modified Vehicle
- When is good time to start the training process?
- Can anyone drive a modified vehicle?
- Who purchases the Vehicle?
- Insurance Requirements
- What about the client’s personal mobility equipment they currently use?
- Who are the State of Arizona current vendors?
