Conference Program

Presenters: Shelley Haven

Abstract: Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) is rapidly reshaping many aspects of life, including education and supports for people with disabilities.  To harness its benefits, educators and disability‑service providers must understand how genAI works, where it excels, and its inherent limitations, then make informed decisions about its use.  However, recent surveys indicate fewer than half of all educators have received any professional development on using genAI.

Through lecture, demos, and hands-on activities, AT consultant Shelley Haven will provide participants with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and (just as importantly) confidence to effectively apply genAI to teaching and learning tasks, with a focus on disabilities and assistive technology accommodations.  Participants will use a selection of generative AI tools to explore key concepts and real-world applications.

What to bring: A Mac or Windows laptop, Chromebook, or large screen iPad (external keyboard strongly recommended).  Registrants will receive a list of selected free apps plus instructions by early June so they can create accounts prior to the workshop.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Explain how schools, agencies, or organizations can identify their genAI needs and make plans for improvement.
• Explain the fundamental concepts behind generative AI – what it is (and is not), how it works, and its inherent limitations.
• Differentiate between the ever-increasing plethora of genAI and AI-enhanced tools by identifying the critical features that set them apart.
• Create effective text prompts and image prompts for educational and accessibility tasks.
• 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 to determine whether specific tasks are better supported by genAI tools or traditional “fixed function” assistive technology tools.

Room: Acacia A

Presenters: Shawn Malcomson, PRC-Saltillo

Abstract: This workshop is designed to provide participants with an in-depth clinical understanding of the settings and features that make the iOS ecosystem customizable for individual clients using alternative access.

The iOS Accessibility features are quite robust with many adjustments that can be made.  That depth can lead to confusion and frustration when trying to apply the settings appropriately based on the actual access skills of the user.  This session will focus on first assessing the learner’s access skills using the Assessment of Learning Process, then applying the settings adjustments to just the right level. 

This is a hands-on session exploring touch access, switch control, eye tracking, and head tracking.  Equipment will be provided. Participants will work in pairs.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

1. Explain three considerations in assessing a client’s level of AAC access proficiency.
2. Identify settings within each access method that can be adjusted and matched to a new learner’s physical, cognitive, and sensory skills and abilities.
3. Define strategies and settings to accommodate various movement disorders for either touch access, switch control, head tracking, or eye tracking.

Room: Acacia D

New to our conference this year, the rapid roundtable forum provides participants with the opportunity to gain insights into a variety of disability related topics in a small group, more informal setting than our usual breakout session format. During this session:

• The room will have 4 different round tables, with seating for 10 participants each.
• Each roundtable will be discussing a specific topic (see choices below)
• Participants will find a seat at the at a table of their interest (as long as there are seats available)
• At 20-minute intervals, participants will be alerted to move around the room to a different table (speed-dating style).
• Participants will each participate in 3 different rapid roundtable discussions during the breakout session.

Roundtable Topics:

• Getting Past the Transportation Desert (Snead / Barry)
• Makers Making Change AZ Chapter (Levac)
• NAMI Ending the Silence (Cross)
• Something to Talk About: Advance Care Planning – Helping to Guide Medical Decision Making (Sutter)

Room: Yucca Room

Open to American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) staff ONLY!

Join AIVRTTAC to put your TVR knowledge into action! Activity-based learning will highlight the TVR journey, TVR problem solving, federal law and regulations, and more! Connect and network with other TVR project staff and learn through laughter, interaction, and hands-on activities.

Room: TBD