Issue 25 | December 2025
Special Education Technology
Center
Inclusive Insights & Access Tips
Belonging by Design: Building Inclusive
Classrooms with Technology
In inclusive education, belonging isn’t just about being present, it’s about being integral to the classroom’s heartbeat. When every student feels genuinely valued, seen, and heard, we unlock the true power of community and learning. Technology and inclusive strategies can play a pivotal role in weaving that sense of belonging into every day.
Imagine a classroom where students use their communication devices not because they have to, but because their voices are expected and invited. A classroom where a teacher uses built-in captions or interactive whiteboards so that every learner—regardless of ability, language, or sensory profile—can engage fully. Research shows that thoughtful deployment of accessible tech removes barriers and cultivates participation.
Consider these strategies:
- Embed Multiple Means of Representation, Engagement, and Expression (UDL-informed) so students bring their whole selves to the learning.
- Make assistive and inclusive tools part of the classroom’s fabric (not an add-on) so students never feel like they’re just accommodated, but that their difference enriches the group.
- Use collaborative tech platforms (digital discussion boards, peer-driven video responses, AAC devices integrated into group work) so that students who communicate differently become leaders, contributors and visible partners in learning.
When inclusive tools and strategies are intentionally woven into classroom culture, the message is crystal clear: You don’t just belong here. You matter. You shape this community.
Use AI to quickly generate step-by-step task supports and checklists for routines.
For classroom activities—science labs, writing tasks, art projects, morning routines—ask an AI tool to create simple, visual-friendly checklists or task analyses. Pair these with timers, visuals, or your LMS so students who benefit from structure, executive-function supports, or assistive tools can work more independently.
Belonging Grows Through Being Needed
Being welcomed means you’re invited in. But being needed means you matter. Your presence and your contributions are essential. For students with disabilities, feeling needed is when their voice isn’t just anticipated, it’s actively sought. It’s when a peer turns and waits for their word, when a teacher pauses to say, “What do you want to share?” It’s when the class misses their perspective because it changes how the group sees things, learns things, grows. In classrooms where every student is needed, the message is clear: You’re not just included and you’re not just accepted, you are indispensable. You bring something no one else can bring. You are wanted here to make this community richer.
Offer multiple ways for students to respond—always.
When asking questions or inviting participation, provide options like speaking aloud, typing in a shared doc, using an AAC device, writing on a whiteboard, choosing from visuals, or submitting a quick digital response (Jamboard, Padlet, Pear Deck, etc.).
Giving response flexibility communicates:
Your voice matters, and there are many valid ways to share it.
Belonging Behaviors: Everyday Actions That Matter
Belonging grows through everyday actions across the school.
- An administrator who waits for a student’s AAC message
- A teacher who posts a visual agenda and turns captions on
- Specialists who add sensory, visual, and mobility supports
- Psychologists offering flexible response options and highlighting strengths
- Paraeducators prompting peer connections
- Lunch staff using visual menus
- Bus drivers offering time for students to respond however they communicate
What everyday action will you take to ensure inclusion and belonging in your community?
SETC SPOTLIGHT: Meet Awjahney Markholt
“I feel a sense of belonging at school when I’m in a warm, welcoming environment surrounded by people who listen, learn, and show kindness. Small gestures —a smile, patience, or a simple ‘thank you’—go a long way… A space rooted in equity, inclusivity, and the absence of discrimination is where I truly feel I belong.”
As a Student Technician at SETC, I help maintain and improve our website to keep it functional, accessible, and easy to navigate. I collaborate with the team on updates, content organization, and user experience, and I also support webinars and classes with technical setup and behind-the-scenes assistance.
I’ll begin my final year of college in January and will graduate in March with a degree in Computer Science. My time at SETC has taught me so much—about web development, technology, special education, and what it means to work for an organization that truly cares about people. I’m grateful for the supportive relationships I’ve built here and the chance to contribute to SETC’s mission. As graduation nears, I’m excited for what’s ahead, but I’ll deeply miss this wonderful community.