Overview

The goal of the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) is to bring together education technology (EdTech), information technology (InfoTech) and assistive technology (AT) for the benefit of all students, including students with disabilities. How? It starts with leadership! This session will highlight leadership practices from the CITES Framework and provide examples of what we have learned from our CITES district as they are creating their own inclusive technology ecosystems. There will a group discussion and activity on technology planning.

Session Content Disclosure: This session will focus on resources and best practices developed as part of a federally funded project, Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES), based at CAST.  

Learning Objectives

First Learning Objective: Explain 3 benefits of an inclusive technology ecosystem.
Second Learning Objective: List at least 3 leadership practices that are essential for creating and sustaining an inclusive technology ecosystem.
Third Learning Objective: Identify 4 elements of an inclusive technology plan.

Primary Strand

Education and Learning

Secondary Strand

Leadership

Target Audience

• Administrators
• AT Specialists
• Educators
• Family Members
• Occupational Therapists
• Special Education educators
• Speech-Language Pathologists

Experience Level

Intermediate

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

Elementary - Secondary (K-12)

Content Area

Related Area

Course Schedule

This course was included in the ATIA 2021: AT Connected virtual event education program.

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs

ASHA CE Information: 
Recorded Session
Start date of ASHA CEUs offering: March 10, 2021


This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs. (Intermediate level, Related area.)

This course is also offered for the following CE Provider Credits:

AOTA; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours.

Speaker/s:

Janet Peters, M.Ed

CAST, Technical Assistance Specialist for CITES

Biography

Janet Peters is the Technical Assistance Specialist with the

Center for Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST. She has over 20 years of experience and knowledge in the area of technology for people with disabilities. She has worked with school districts, transition teams and higher education institutions to improve service delivery of technology for inclusion. She has expertise in the area of Universal Design for Learning, Accessible Technology and Assistive Technology.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary from employment with CAST

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Joy Zabala, Ed.D.

CAST and the National AEM Center, Director of Technical Assistance for CAST

Biography

Joy Smiley Zabala, Ed.D. is the Director of Technical Assistance at CAST. She is the developer of the SETT Framework (http://www.joyzabala.com), a founder of QIAT (http://www.qiat.org) and the facilitator of the QIAT List. She is a strong supporter of Universal Design for Learning, accessible materials and accessible and assistive technologies as complementary supports for the participation and achievement of all students across the lifespan.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Part-time salaried employee at CAST, Inc. Fees for occasional contracted work; Speaking honoraria for occasional speaking engagements; Intellectual property rights to the SETT Framework; Publishing royalties as the co-author of two QIAT books published by CAST Publishing, Inc. Registration and honorarium as Education Chair of ATIA Conference.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Developer of the SETT Framework and member of the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) leadership team.

Kami Smith, PT, DPT

Florence One Schools, Physical Therapist/ AT Consultant

Biography

Kami graduated from the Medical University of SC with a Bachelors in PT in 1987 and received her Doctorate in PT from NOVA Southeastern in 2013. She possesses her Assistive Technology Professional and Seating and Mobility Specialist certifications through RESNA. Kami has worked in multiple settings since 1987, but has primarily worked for Florence One Schools for the past 31 years. She is one of the district’s Assistive Technology (AT) Team Leaders and assists with conducting consultations and evaluations for AT.

Relevant Financial Relationship: No

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Laura Kieran

Hayward Community School District, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services

Biography

Laura Kieran is the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services for Hayward Community School District in Hayward, Wisconsin. Over her 29 years as an educator she has also been a general and special education teacher, Assistive Technology Coordinator, and Assistant Professor of Special Education at Western Illinois University and Drake University.

Relevant Financial Relationship: No

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Bijul Dalal, MS, ATACP

Grossmont Union High School District, Assistive Technology Teacher

Biography

Bijul Dalal, M.S. is a founding member of the Assistive Technology Team for Grossmont Union High School District, CA. Bijul works with students ages 13-22, parents, staff and the community to support the assistive technology needs of students with disabilities. She holds an Assistive Technology Applications Certificate of Learning from California State University – Northridge. Prior to moving to California, Bijul worked at the Center for Technology in Education at Johns Hopkins University and provided technical assistance to state stakeholders. Bijul was a classroom teacher through Teach For America in the Baltimore City Public School and has taught students with special needs internationally.

Relevant Financial Relationship: No

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No