Skip to content

Issue 15 | December 2024

Special Education Technology
Center

Inclusive Insights & Access Tips

SETC logo text

Opening Doors to Literacy: Reading & Writing Opportunities for All Learners

Inclusive literacy begins with the belief that every student can learn to read and write. For students with intellectual disabilities (IDD), traditional teaching approaches may not fully address their unique needs. However, assistive technology provides creative pathways to engage all learners, unlocking their potential and ensuring access to the joys of reading and the power of writing. 

In this issue

  • Reading and Writing Opportunities for ALL Learners
  • Mark your calendar
  • AI in action
  • Highlight reel
  • Access for all
  • Book nook

Empower students with IDD to express themselves using tools like Book Creator and Pictello, which support multimodal expression through typing, voice, pictures, and videos. Book Creator even supports multilingual writing, making it inclusive for diverse learners.
For beginning readers, Monarch Reader provides engaging, age-respectful digital books that are designed to be accessible yet rich in content, building confidence and fostering a love for reading. Clicker, a child-friendly word processor, provides supports like Clicker Grids, word banks, and accessibility features for switch and eye-gaze users, ensuring all students can engage with writing. Interested educators can complete this Google Form to receive a FREE 6-month trial through SETC. Explore SETC’s recorded professional development sessions, such as Express Yourself Through Writing and Conversations with Dr. Koppenhaver for practical insights and strategies. Save the date for our upcoming literacy retreat, virtually on March 15, 2025, and in-person in Bellingham on March 29, 2025.
Inclusive literacy supports empower students of all abilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, to experience the transformative power of reading and writing.

Classes & Series

  • 12/3: UDL leadership: Professional
    learning and coaching
  • 12/10: Communication workgroup:
    Blending perspectives on vision, speech,

    & motor
  • 12/12 AAC collaboration corner: Finding
    funding sources for AAC needs
  • 11/20: AT Chatter: Myth-busting: AT
    devices and services

Webinars

  • 12/2: Re-imagining assessment and
    treatment success: Exploring therapeutic

    relationships
  • 12/4: Inclusion in Action: Helping
    Students Get 100 of Switch Hits Per Day
  • 12/6: Clicker and Comprehensive
    Literacy for All: Showcase Books with

    Clicker Sets

Book Study

  • 12/5 & 12/19: The Shift to Student Led

Statewide AT Meeting

  • 12/5: Hosted by SETC on zoom

Save the Date!

  • 3/15 (Zoom) and 3/19 (In-Person,
    Bellingham): SETC Literacy Retreats
  • 3/7 (Zoom): AI Solutions: Empowering
    Educators to Personalize Learning
  • 3/18 (in person, CWU, Ellensburg):
    Tailored Teaching: Leveraging AI for

    Personalized Learning

AI in action

Dive into the possibilities of AI-driven tools for
creating accessible and engaging content for all
learners. This short video, Beyond Text Leveling
with AI, highlights how educators can use AI to
generate adaptable text options that meet diverse
student needs. From simplifying complex language
to supporting literacy development, learn how AI
can help make reading and learning more inclusive.

Highlight reel

Discover how one teacher is making reading and
writing opportunities truly inclusive! In the video
April Weitkamp, Special Education Teacher, on
literacy instruction, you’ll explore innovative
strategies and tools used to support learners of all
abilities in their literacy journey. Learn how
tailored instruction can empower every student to
unlock the joys of reading and writing.

Access for all

Did you know you can make your digital books more
accessible with alt text for images? Alt text helps
readers using screen readers understand the
context of visual content, ensuring your creations
are inclusive for all. Watch the video Book Creator
Accessibility Tip: Alt Text for Images to learn step-
by-step how to add alt text to your Book Creator
projects and create a better reading experience for
everyone!

Book nook

Our Comprehensive Literacy for All book collection has a new landing page! In the short video, SETC’s
Comprehensive Literacy for All Book Collection, you will see how to navigate through the hundreds of available books to find activity pages and other resources (such as Clicker grids). Also, learn about the amazing creator of our book collection, Barb Lark, including what she loves about the collection and why she loves this work!