#AllKidsCanLearn: Assistive Technology Trends In K-12

Session Summary:

We will focus on easily accessible assistive technology tools that support students with disabilities. We will demonstrate how to access each of these tools as well as how they work. Tools that will be addressed: Chrome extensions, Google, iOS device settings and apps, Windows OS, MS Office tools, and free web-based resources.

Description:

This interactive presentation is tailored for teachers and other professionals working with students with disabilities in the K - 12 environments. The application of assistive technologies in the K - 12 environment has greatly changed over the last 10 years. In previous years, the assistive technologies that were available were highly specialized. Today’s educational environment contains mainstream technologies that can be adapted or fitted with assistive technology for students. Through the lens of students with disabilities, we will explore mainstream technology tools that are becoming the future of assistive technology, and how they support these students. Through the use of interactive presentation tools and activities, we will demonstrate web-based tools that provide text to speech, speech to text, visual supports, vocabulary support tools and more. We will explore Chrome extensions and the Google environment, including Google Drive, Docs, and Keep. Participants will also explore the differences between and benefits of iOS built-in accessibility options and MS Office tools. Participants will leave with knowledge of available mainstream technology tools and assistive technologies that K - 12 uses to support students with disabilities to be able to access their curriculum and instructional materials.

Practical Skills:

• Focus on easily accessible assistive technology tools that support students with disabilities.
• Resources for K-12 AT Trends.
• Demonstrate how to access each of these tools as well as how they work.

Presentation Materials:

• Link to slide deck as provided by the speaker (external site) (external site) for