Issue 18 | March 2025
Special Education Technology
Center
Inclusive Insights & Access Tips
The Power of Professional
Growth:
Highlights from ATIA
Professional conferences are essential for growth, collaboration, and innovation, especially in fields driven by rapidly evolving technologies, such as Assistive Technology. The 2025 Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference did not disappoint, offering over 400 sessions, 600+ speakers, product demos, poster sessions, and a bustling vendor hall—leaving attendees inspired and energized.
SETC staff and contributors were fully immersed, taking in the latest research and innovations. Unsurprisingly, generative AI was a major focus, as researchers and clinicians explored its transformative potential. One standout session by Global Symbols highlighted how AI can empower local communities to create culturally relevant symbols. Microsoft showcased AI’s power to enhance assistive technologies, making them smarter, more accessible, and user-friendly. Beyond AI, AssistiveWare led engaging sessions on topics like rethinking AAC modeling and robust vocabulary instruction, providing practical takeaways for educators and clinicians. Across the conference, countless sessions introduced innovative research, products, and ideas designed to improve accessibility and communication for all. In today’s rapidly changing world, seeking professional growth opportunities like ATIA is more important than ever.
In this issue
- The Power of Professional Growth
- Mark your calendar
- Shannon Voss is 2025 Prentke Award Recipient
- Ai App Translates Natural Gestures to AAC Voice Output
- Accessibility Tips Handout
- Book nook
Mark your calendar
Community of Practice Series
- 3/4: UDL Leadership: Professional
Learning and Coaching - 3/6: AAC Collaboration Corner: Exploring
AAC and Alternative Access Methods - 3/11: Blending Perspectives on Vision,
Speech & Motor: Student Stories:
Collaboration to Support Communication
Webinars
- 3/19: AT Myth-Busting: AT Devices & Services
Awe and Wonder Podcast Series 6
Brand new season available now!
More Leaders & Change Makers
Save the Date!
- 3/7 (Zoom): AI Solutions:
Empowering Educators to
Personalize Learning - 3/18 (in person, CWU,
Ellensburg): Tailored
Teaching: Leveraging
AI for Personalized
Learning
Literacy Retreats
- 3/15: 9:00-12:00 virtual on Zoom
- 3/29: 9:00-3:00 in-person, Bellingham
Shannon Voss is 2025
Prentke Award Recipient
Congratulations to Shannon Voss for his powerful presentation at ATIA 2025. Shannon shared his inspiring journey as a college student using AAC, overcoming challenges, and fostering meaningful connections in the AAC community.
AI App Translates Natural Gestures to AAC Voice Output
SETC’s very own Sharon Redmon presented on new AI technology that is bridging the gap between natural gestures and AAC voice output by interpreting an individual’s unique movements. Designed as a complement to traditional AAC modes, it enables faster, more intuitive interactions.
Accessibility Tips Handout
We’re excited to share a valuable handout from ATIA that highlights strategies for making learning materials more accessible. Created by CAST, this resource offers practical tips for designing Accessible Educational Materials through a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.
Book nook
Did you know you can request books to be added to the Book Collection?
Evergreen School District recently reached out to request the addition of Sneezy the Snowman.
This charming book will be used to support their science curriculum on “changes of matter.”