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 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]