Presented by Vanessa Lombardo, Training and Learning Manager, Bookshare, an Initiative of Benetech
Presented by Sue Thotz, Director of Education Outreach, Common Sense Education; Paul Valente, Facility Automation Architect, Chicago Public Schools (IL); and Madeleine Mortimore, Global Education Innovation Lead, Logitech
Moderated by Keith Krueger, CEO, Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
Presented by Dr. Jill Louters, Superintendent, New Rockford-Sheyenne School District (ND); and Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent, Winchester Public Schools (VA)
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Families are thirsty for information about inclusive technology that supports their children with disabilities. They want to understand and inform the tools schools use. They want to collaborate. Yet, while family engagement is essential—and promoted in the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act—it is often not operationalized.
During the edLeader Panel “Inclusive Technology: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Learners,” prominent education leaders emphasized the critical role of integrating inclusive technology systems within schools. The discussion centered around the unveiling of the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) framework, an initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.
Presented by Maggie Pickett, MA, CCC-SLP, Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, CAST; Dr. Angel Morgan, Assistant Instructional Professional, Arizona State University; and Erika Chapman, Parent Liaison, Program for Exceptional Children, Florence One School District (SC)
Presented by Luis Perez, Ph.D., Disability & Digital Inclusion Lead, CAST; Sharon Smith, Ed.D., Director of Special Education, Hampton Township School District (PA); and Christine Fox, CITES Project Director, CASTFox, CITES Project Director, CAST
When students with disabilities come to your school, the technology that can help them succeed should be immediately available. Therefore, strategies for identifying and selecting accessible and inclusive tech should be top of mind.
While giving all students access to high-speed internet and a working computer are strong steps towards creating equitable learning opportunities, there’s one area schools often miss: technical assistance for students with learning differences.
Presented by Janna Greathouse, District Assistive Technology Coordinator, Jenks Public Schools (OK); Samantha Reid, M.Ed., Educational Technology Coordinator, Jenks Public Schools (OK); and Christine Fox, CITES Project Director, CAST