Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our spring series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.   

 Title:                JOT: Classroomscreen 

Presenters:    Laura Wooten-LaFranier, M.Ed., ADE AT Specialist  

Date:               Wednesday, April 22, 2026  

Time:               11:30 AM–12:00 PM  

 Description:    Manage your classroom at the end of the year in a fun and engaging way. Classroomscreen is an online whiteboard website that supports general and special education by providing visual, interactive tools to create structured, predictable environments. Come learn about features that help students follow routines, understand instructions, and discover how to further engage students in interactive activities that build skills and assist communication in this quick, 30-minute JOT (Just One Thing).  

Learn how Classroomscreen provides collaborative options to promote independence and participation. Simple, yet flexible, Classroomscreen enhances individualized instruction, supports IEP goals, and fosters inclusion. It’s an effective resource for teachers, therapists, and assistive technology specialists to deliver engaging, accessible learning experiences. 

Register for AT JOT: Classroomscreen  

If you have questions regarding this professional development opportunity, please email the Assistive Technology team at [email protected].  

Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our spring series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.  

 Title:                            JOT: The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Referral Maze: A School Team’s Roadmap 

Presenters:               Danika Stampfel, M.S., CCC-SLP (NAU IHD AAC Evaluation and Training Program); Rui Hernandez M.A., CCC-SLP (Bilingual SLP and AAC Specialist- Sunnyside Unified School District); and J. Drew Barsness, M.S., CCC-SLP (Arbor Therapy) 

Date:                            Wednesday, March 25, 2026 

Time:                           11:30 AM-12:00 PM 

Description:    Navigating the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) AAC referral process can feel like moving through a maze, but school-based professionals don’t have to figure it out on their own. This JOT session highlights how educators, therapists, and service providers can work together with families to understand the steps, roles, and responsibilities involved. We’ll broaden the focus beyond the classroom to consider the whole “service team,” including the DDD Support Coordinator, and explore how collaborative communication and coordinated documentation can streamline the referral journey. In this 30-minute session, you’ll gain practical strategies to support families as partners and strengthen the team’s collective approach to navigating the DDD/Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) process. 

 Register for AT JOT: The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Referral Maze  

 If you have questions regarding this professional development opportunity, please email [email protected]. 

Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our 2025-26 spring series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.  

Title:                  JOT: Beyond Accessibility: Using Captions to Support All Learners 

Presenters:      Doug Cutler, M.A., CCC-SLP – Arizona Department of Education - Assistive Technology Specialist 

Date:                  Wednesday, February 25, 2026 

Time:                 11:30 AM–12:00 PM 

Description: Captions are more than just text on a screen—they are powerful tools that support learning, accessibility, and engagement for all students. This training will explore how captions can enhance understanding across diverse learning environments, including classrooms and professional development settings. Participants will learn best practices for leveraging captions to support students with varying needs, including English language learners and those with hearing impairments.  

Register for this AT JOT  

If you have questions regarding this professional development opportunity, please email [email protected]. 

Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our 2025-26 spring series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.  

 Title:           JOT: 5 Fun Activities to Try with Guided Hands® 

Presenters:    Cecilia Dey- Program Coordinator, ADE/ESS AT Loan Library and Emily Gaylord, PT, DPT, ATP- Assistive Technology Specialist 

Date:          Wednesday, January 21, 2026 

Time:          11:30 AM-12:00 PM 

 Description: Join us for an exciting and “hands-on” session featuring a standout device from the ADE/ESS Short-term AT Loan Library! Our loan coordinator, Cecilia Dey, will showcase Guided Hands®, an assistive technology device that supports students with limited hand mobility to write, paint, draw, and use a touch-screen device. We’ll kick things off with a step-by-step demonstration, showing you how to set up fun and engaging activities using Guided Hands. Then, learn how to borrow this innovative device through the ADE/ESS AT short-term Loan Library. 

Whether you're new to assistive technology or looking to expand your toolkit, this session is a great opportunity to explore practical solutions that empower independence. 

Register for AT JOT: 5 Fun Activities to Try with Guided Hands  

Please note that JOTs are not recorded.

If you have questions regarding this professional development opportunity, please email [email protected]. 

Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our fall series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.

Title:              JOT: "Building Capacity through Digital Content"

Presenter:    Matthew Press, DAD2, MHS, OTR/L, ATP

                       Peoria USD, Assistive Technology Specialist

Date:             Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Time:            11:30 AM-12:00 PM

Description: Do you serve a lot of staff and are trying to figure out efficient ways to support them all? Can't get in front of them for regular professional development (PD) and training?  Peoria Unified School District uses a number of strategic options, including weekly targeted emails, digital tutorials, and online classes. Come discover practical resources and strategies you can implement and adapt to enhance your own PD offerings and better support your colleagues—efficiently and sustainably.

Registtration has closed. 
Please note that JOTs are not recorded.

Revised 1.23.2026

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is pleased to announce our second 2025-26 national presenter: “AAC Essentials: What Every Educator Needs to Know” with Rachel Madel M.A., CCC-SLP. This presentation is intended for SLPs, special education teachers, and related service providers who work with students who use Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC).

Date/Time:                    Friday, November 14, 2025 - 8:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.
Fee:                                  Free  (Lunch on your own) Limited availability, Please, only register if you are committed to attending.
Where:                            ADE South Campus Conference Room
                                            1535 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Rachel Madel, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an LA-based speech-language pathologist dedicated to coaching parents and professionals on incorporating technology to best support speech and language development. Rachel presents nationally and abroad on the use of AAC and coaches parents, clinicians, and teachers on integrating assistive technology in classrooms and at home to support communication. She co-hosts a weekly podcast called “Talking With Tech” and creates educational resources, therapy materials, and courses to help support parents and professionals.

Course Description: 

This interactive learning experience explores innovative approaches to facilitate language acquisition in students of all ages. By creating enriched environments, all learners have ample opportunities to engage in meaningful language practice within their everyday routines. Participants will gain insights into current best practices for AAC principles, including supporting language learning, selecting appropriate vocabulary, and fostering engagement among AAC users. Additionally, the presentation will cover advanced-level topics, such as strategies to overcome barriers in AAC (both assessment and implementation). Through the integration of interactive technologies, educators can design educational experiences that empower both learners and their support networks to achieve lifelong language goals. The session will also focus on building the skills of communication partners and demonstrate how coaching-centered training can empower educators to promote AAC system usage consistently throughout the day and in various environments.

Register for “AAC Essentials: What Every Educator Needs to Know”

If you have questions, please email [email protected].  

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is seeking input from educators, therapists, and school staff across the state to help shape future professional learning opportunities in assistive technology. 

We kindly ask that you share the following survey with teachers, therapists, and other relevant staff in your district. The survey is short (approximately 5-7 minutes), anonymous, and designed to ensure that upcoming training and resources are relevant, practical, and impactful. 

2025 Assistive Technology Needs Survey 

Please complete the survey only once. Your responses are confidential and will be used solely to inform statewide professional development efforts. The survey will close on October 31, 2025. 

Thank you for your support in helping us better serve Arizona’s educators and students through meaningful professional learning. 

 ADE/ESS AT Team

[email protected]

Are you overwhelmed by professional development? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Join the ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Team for our fall series, Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT). In these quick 30-minute sessions, we will highlight a single assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use to support your students.

Title: "Leveling the Equation: Free Math Tools for Inclusive Access" Featuring ModMath and Arithmetype

Presenter: Breeta Garland, M.S., CCC-SLP - Gilbert Public Schools, Assistive Technology Coach

Date:             Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Time:             11:30 AM-12:00 PM

Description: Discover two powerful and completely free assistive technology tools that support students with math-related learning needs. Breeta Garland, M.S., CCC-SLP will provide an overview of ModMath, a digital graph paper with keypad to solve math problems for students with dysgraphia, and Arithmetype, a math-friendly typing resource for those who struggle with written output. Learn how these tools remove barriers and empower students in her district to demonstrate their true math abilities. Perfect for educators, related service providers, and support staff looking for quick wins in inclusive math instruction.

Please note: This Zoom session will not be recorded. Live attendance is encouraged to benefit fully from the presentation and resources.

If you have questions regarding this professional development opportunity, please email [email protected].

Revised 1.23.2026 

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is pleased to announce our first 2025-26 national presenter: Kelli Suding, M.Ed. Kelli will present two virtual after-school sessions designed for special and general education teachers, school administrators, IT and Ed Tech staff, and related service providers. Join us for one or both engaging sessions, jam-packed with ideas and activities you can use in therapy and/or in the classroom right away!

Session 1:        Uniting Accessible Materials and Assistive Technology for Inclusive Learning

Date:                  Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Time:                 3:30 p.m.−5:30 p.m. (PDT, Arizona Time)   
Fee:                     Free
Where:              Virtual (Zoom)

Too often, accessible materials and assistive technology are treated as separate solutions—when in reality, they are most powerful when used together. In this session, educators will explore how accessible educational materials (AEM) and assistive technology (AT) complement one another to remove barriers and create inclusive learning environments. We’ll also tackle common misconceptions, including the myth that using AT is “cheating,” and instead reframe these tools as essential for access. 

Register for Uniting Accessible Materials and Assistive Technology for Inclusive Learning Session

Session 2:        Inclusive by Design: Applying UDL Principles in Everyday Instruction

Date:                  Thursday, September 25, 2025
Time:                  3:30 p.m.−5:30 p.m. (PDT, Arizona Time)   
Fee:                    Free
Where:              Virtual (Zoom)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) isn’t just a framework—it’s a mindset for designing learning environments where every student can thrive. In this session, participants will explore how to apply UDL principles in practical, everyday instruction to reduce barriers and embrace learner variability. Through real-world examples and interactive activities, educators will learn how to proactively design lessons, materials, and assessments that are flexible, accessible, and inclusive from the start.

Register for Inclusive by Design: Applying UDL Principles in Everyday Instruction

As a Professional Learning Specialist on the Accessibility Team at CAST and technical assistance support for the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES), Kelli promotes the availability of accessible educational materials and technologies to ensure that all students have inclusive opportunities for learning.

Kelli also has a strong understanding of and ability to connect theory to practice. Her instructional experience has been with students requiring mild, moderate, and intense intervention. Kelli’s specializations include autism, accessible educational materials and accessible technologies, Google Chrome accessibility and integration, specific learning disabilities, and Universal Design for Learning.

If you have questions, please email [email protected]. 

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) Team is excited to announce a year-long professional learning opportunity focused on Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM). The Assistive Technology Community of Practice (ATCoP) will convene monthly throughout the 2025–2026 school year, offering a collaborative space for joint activities, discussions, problem-solving, information sharing, and relationship building. 

Each session will center around a key topic related to AT or AEM, facilitated by an ADE/ESS Assistive Technology Specialist. Meetings will include dedicated time for member questions and open discussion to foster deeper engagement and shared learning. 

Eligibility Requirements: Membership is open to professionals employed by a public education agency (PEA) in Arizona who directly serve students with disabilities. This includes AT specialists, special education teachers, related service providers, and others with responsibilities related to AT and/or AEM. 

To apply, please complete the ATCoP Membership Application. Once submitted, applicants will receive additional details regarding meeting dates and times. Most sessions will be held virtually to maximize accessibility.  Members can join at any time during the 2025-2026 school year.  

This initiative is proudly supported by the 2025–2026 Joy Zabala Fellowship and is a collaborative effort between Emily Gaylord, PT, DPT, and Mike Marotta, ATP. 

We look forward to your participation in the Assistive Technology Community of Practice! For questions or concerns, please contact ADE/ESS Assistive Technology at [email protected].