Issue 16 | January 2025
Special Education Technology
Center
Inclusive Insights & Access Tips
Creating Inclusive
Learning Environments
“Kids need access to grade-level standards. All kids. Every kid. So, how do we ensure they find success?” Dr. Kimberly Headrick’s question, posed in the video Inclusionary Practices by OSPI, highlights the essence of true inclusion—ensuring every student can engage meaningfully in learning. Research shows that all students benefit academically and socially in inclusive settings.
Inclusion goes beyond equity; it’s about empowering students to access the curriculum, share their knowledge, and build confidence in their belonging. As shown in the video above, technology plays a key role in fostering engagement and removing barriers. Inclusion is not only a matter of equity; it’s a call to action for educators to rethink instruction, collaborate as a team, and create opportunities for every child to grow. Together, we can make inclusion the foundation of education, building communities where all students learn, grow, and thrive together.
In this issue
- Creating inclusive learning environments
- Mark your calendar
- AI in action
- Highlight reel
- Access for all
- Book nook
Mark your calendar
Community of Practice Series
- 1/7: UDL leadership: Professional
learning and coaching - 1/9 AAC collaboration corner:
Integrating AAC in inclusive classrooms - 1/14: Blending perspectives on vision,
speech & motor: Alternative access - 1/15: Communication for students with
complex needs (Deaf-blind focus)
Webinars
- 1/16: Conscious Conversations:
Embracing anti-racism in practice - 1/21: AT & AAC in the IEP: Writing
strengths-based IEPs - 1/23: Using the literacy activity planning
charts and comprehensive literacy for all
book collection to plan collaboratively
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 - 3/15 (Zoom) and 3/29 (In-Person, Bellingham): SETC Literacy Retreats
AI in action
Explore practical strategies for creating inclusive instruction by focusing on student-centered goals in this insightful video.
Highlight reel
Watch Sara Ayars explain how Bellevue School District incorporates AAC as a visual support to enhance learning in general education classrooms.
Access for all
Collaborative planning between general and special educators ensures meaningful curriculum adjustments for all students. The TIES Center’s 5-15-45 Tool provides guided discussions, like identifying essential content for all learners. Watch this 3-minute video to see how the 5-minute tool works in action!
Book nook
Fishing With Grandma is related to the Since Time Immemorial curriculum. Grab your parka and join Grandma as she teaches her grandkids all they need to know about ice fishing. In Jan Brett’s Trouble with Trolls, the trolls try to trick Teva, but Teva is even trickier!! This book provides a fun winter romp while working on words that start with T and identification of winter clothing. Clicker Grids are also available for this story.