Empowering individuals with disabilities, including those with neurodiversity such as autism, ADHD, and TBI, to succeed in post-secondary transitions requires intentional implementation of assistive technology (AT) supports. This presentation will explore how a curated digital toolbox can set students up for success in vocational rehabilitation and higher education. Participants will gain practical strategies for assessing individual needs, selecting appropriate AT tools, and fostering digital literacy. Evidence-based practices will highlight how AT solutions, including built-in accessibility features, text-to-speech, organizational apps, and productivity software, promote independence and improve outcomes. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles will be integrated to demonstrate how AT can benefit a wide range of learners. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to create personalized digital toolboxes that bridge the gap between secondary education.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the role of assistive technology in supporting executive functioning, literacy, and productivity for post-secondary transitions.
- Apply the SETT framework to assess individual technology needs and select appropriate AT solutions
- Explore evidence-based digital tools, including built-in accessibility features, and strategies for fostering independence in vocational and academic settings.
Learners arrive in classrooms with a wide range of knowledge, skills, and interests. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a proactive approach to planning instruction to ensure learners’ knowledge, skills, and interests are leveraged to elevate learning for the whole classroom community. The implementation of UDL is founded in the UDL Guidelines, which provides connection to instructional strategies aligned with the UDL principles. The UDL design cycle is a process that helps guide teachers in implementing the UDL Guidelines to best meet the needs of learners while capitalizing on the variability found in a group of learners. In this presentation, participants will have the opportunity to apply the UDL design cycle to their own context and consider how UDL might support a variety of learners.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to describe learner variability and how it impacts instructional design.
- Participants will be able to use the UDL design cycle to design instructional plans that anticipate and support learner variability.
This interactive workshop empowers participants to create equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students, including those with disabilities. Participants will explore the crucial role of representation and accessibility in curriculum and pedagogy, engaging in hands-on activities and case study analysis to foster dialogue about inclusivity. We will examine the impact of diverse perspectives and inclusive practices on classroom dynamics, student engagement, and belonging. Through collaborative discussion and reflection, participants will develop actionable strategies to assess and enhance their teaching practices, cultivating supportive classrooms in higher education where every student thrives. This session focuses on practical strategies to improve access, attitudes, and inclusion in higher education for students with disabilities.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and implement inclusive teaching strategies, including UDL principles and assistive technology, that enhance student engagement, belonging, and academic success for diverse learners, including students with disabilities.
- Analyze the impact of diverse perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities, in curriculum design, classroom dynamics, and student interactions, recognizing both challenges and opportunities.
- Develop a personalized action plan for fostering equity in their educational practices, including specific steps for self-reflection, curriculum adaptation, classroom management, and collaboration with disability service providers.
This presentation will explore the transformative impact of online education in higher education, emphasizing its advantages and the role of assistive technology in enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for students with disabilities. By leveraging the flexibility and accessibility of online learning, institutions can create more equitable educational environments that cater to diverse learning needs.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Advantages of Online Education: Participants will learn about the various benefits of online education in higher education, including increased flexibility, accessibility, and the ability to cater to diverse learning styles and needs.
- Explore the Role of Assistive Technology: Attendees will gain insights into how assistive technology can enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of online education for students with disabilities, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to succeed.
- Implement Strategies for Equitable Learning Environments: Participants will be equipped with practical strategies and best practices for leveraging online education and assistive technology to create more equitable and inclusive educational environments that support the diverse needs of all students.
As both education and the workplace continue to change with approaches and digital content, questions surrounding assistive technology arise. Over the last few years, the assistive technology marketplace has been inundated with devices that are being made as inexpensively as possible with the intent of competing with stable and research-based devices already in the mainstream. As both schools and workplaces seek to create access for all, limitations from budget constraints and a lack of understanding of what really works can cause individuals to be less than adequately supported in their environment. Join us as we review and discuss the research behind assistive technology which works and how older devices can be repurposed to create both inclusivity and awareness.
Learning Outcomes
- Attendees will experience major AT devices through hands-on activities
- Attendees will review the research behind assistive technology to assist in identifying the devices which are most effective
- Attendees will understand how to repurpose older assistive technology to make their environments more inclusive
