Assistive Technology Professional Learning Opportunities

AT + AEM = UDL4Ever: The Perfect Marriage with HIllary Goldthwait-Fowles, PhD., ATP 

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) Team is pleased to announce the third presentation in our 2024—2025 AT National Presenter Series AT + AEM = UDL4Ever: The Perfect Marriage, with Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, Ph.D., ATP. This presentation is intended for Assistive Technology (AT) specialists, special education administrators, special education teachers, general education teachers, reading specialists/coaches, and related service providers.

Date/Time:        Friday, February 14, 2025
                          8:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Seats are limited; register now!)

Fee:                  $25 - lunch on your own

Where:              Rio Vista Recreation Center (Lakeview room)

Address:           8866 W Thunderbird Rd, Peoria, AZ 85381

Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, Ph.D., ATP, is a nationally certified Assistive Technology Professional who provides consultation, training, and evaluation services to educational and other institutions in Assistive Technology (AT), Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) through her private practice. She proudly serves as an Instructional Design Specialist on the Learning and Design Technology Team at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member and subject matter expert in Inclusion, AT, and UDL at the University of New England’s Graduate Programs in Online Learning and the University of Maine at Farmington.

Dr. Goldthwait-Fowles has presented nationwide on various topics, including accessibility, AT, AEM, UDL, iPads and apps, and Chromebooks and apps. With 25 years of teaching experience, she has previously served as an Intervention Specialist and Special Educator. She is passionate about educating others on the importance of ensuring that the curriculum is accessible to all students from the outset. Home is where her heart truly is- empty nesting with her husband in Saco, Maine, and is most proud of her son and stepson. 

Session Description:
Join us for an immersive, hands-on professional development session designed for Assistive Technology (AT) specialists, special education administrators, teachers, reading specialists/coaches, and related service providers. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the dynamic interplay between Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), highlighting how they intersect to enhance Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Through collaborative activities, case studies, and practical applications, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how integrating AT and AEM can support diverse learners, enhance student engagement, and promote inclusive educational environments. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with innovative strategies, tools, and resources to effectively advocate for AT and AEM and implement UDL principles, ensuring all learners have access to meaningful, high-quality educational experiences.

Learning Objectives:
1.    Analyze and Apply the UDL Framework: Participants will explore the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and apply them to real-world situations. They will identify how integrating Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) can strategically remove barriers, helping all learners access and engage with the curriculum more effectively.
2.    Develop and Implement Inclusive and Personalized AT Solutions: Participants will learn to advocate for creating accessible content from the beginning. They will also gain skills in evaluating and selecting the right AT tools and AEM resources for individual student needs, using data-driven decision-making and collaboration to design personalized learning experiences that align with UDL principles.
3.    Advocate for Inclusive Practices: Participants will learn how to advocate for the use of accessible content and the integration of Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) within a universally designed framework. They will develop strategies to empower colleagues, administrators, and stakeholders to adopt inclusive practices that accommodate diverse learner needs and ensure equitable access to educational opportunities.

Register for AT + AEM = UDL4Ever: The Perfect Marriage with Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles

If you have questions about this training, please email [email protected]
 

Meaningful Activities to Increase Participation, Access & Communication for Students with Complex Bodies and Communication Needs, with Julie Marzano, M.S., OTR/L and Emily McCarthy, M.S., CCC-SLP

This presentation is intended for special education administrators, special education teachers, general education teachers, related service providers, and assistive technology specialists.

Date/Time:   Tuesday, May 6, 2025
More information will be posted as it becomes available.  Check back for additional details.