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As we move into November and shift from the back to school season towards student success and the end of the semester, let's reflect on the power of consistency with Assistive Technology (AT). This is the perfect time to reinforce the AT tools and accommodations identified in student IEPs, ensuring they are used with fidelity by collecting data. Whether a student uses AT for reading support, written expression, mobility, AAC, math or organization it all requires progress monitoring. Remember, sustained and consistent implementation is the key to turning an AT device from a novelty into an essential tool for independence. Commit this month to modeling AT usage frequently helping students build the muscle memory and confidence they need to finish the semester strong!
Table of Contents
- Upcoming Assistive Technology Professional Learning Events and Announcements
- From the Desk of Mike Hipple -WI AAC Network Newsletter
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Corner
- Assistive Technology Resources
- Sometimes All We Need To Do Is Start A Conversation…
- QIAT “Help Me Out”
- Feature Match: Writing Difficulties Physical Access
Upcoming Assistive Technology Professional Learning Events and Announcements
AT Forward Community of Practice (CoP) Meetings
Mark your calendars for the upcoming AT Forward CoP meetings:
Tuesday December 2, 2025 (12:00pm-1:00pm) What’s new in AI?
Frank Devereaux will provide a foundational understanding of the potential of AI to both support educators and create transformative learning experiences for students. This session is designed for special educators who are ready to move beyond using AI for productivity, efficiency, and writing IEP goals and are ready to explore the practical applications of AI in the classroom.
Click on this link to register in advance for this meeting.
Thursday January 8, 2026 (12:00pm-1:00pm) Technology, Access, and Best Practices for Students who have Low Vision
Amy Snow will present this session focusing on best practices for those preparing or modifying electronic documents for students who have low vision, color deficits, or other impediments to visual access. Tablet settings and use of other devices to access hard-copy printed materials will also be addressed. Specific goals include: use of font, spacing, color, and text attributes (i.e. bold or italics) when creating documents for either electronic or hard-copy access as well as vision accessibility settings on tablets or computers to increase access to electronic files.
Click on this link to register in advance for this meeting.
Tuesday February 3, 2026 (12:00pm-1:00pm) AAC Assessment Guide
Kathy White and Dawn Merth-Johnson will explore a comprehensive decision tree specifically designed to empower speech-language pathologists in conducting thorough and effective Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments. The session will also highlight numerous updated resources for each crucial area, ensuring SLPs have the tools to make well-informed decisions for their students.
Click on this link to register in advance for this meeting
Thursday February 19, 2026 (12:00pm-1:00pm) Feature Matching: ADL and DHH
Matt Palma and Laura Plummer delve into the critical process of feature matching for individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) . The process of how to ask targeted questions guiding teams toward selecting assistive technology tools based on their inherent features, rather than specific brand names will be explored. Participants will learn to identify key characteristics of AT that align with the unique sensory, communication, and functional needs of DHH learners ensuring thoughtful and effective tool selection for enhanced independence and participation.
Click on this link to register in advance for this meeting
Tuesday April 28, 2026 (12:00pm-1:00pm) Coaching for Sustainable Assistive Technology Impact
Paige Buckingham will explore the dynamic intersection of Assistive Technology (AT) and coaching. During this session, we will examine the distinctions between coaching, collaboration, and consultation and reflect on their roles in fostering collective efficacy within their teams. The session will also highlight ways to empower educators and staff to tell their AT success stories using meaningful data that communicates student impact and drives sustainable practices. Participants will walk away with actionable tools to build trust, spark engagement, and lead with purpose in their coaching roles. Presented by Paige Buckingham.
Click on this link to register in advance for this meeting
Wednesday May 6, 2026 (12:00pm-1:00pm) Accessible Gadgets for Gamers: Evaluating and Applying Video Game Accessibility in Therapeutic Settings
Erik Johnson presents how technology-based interventions are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern practice, as smartphones, tablets, assistive technology, and even video games offer powerful new ways to foster independence and engagement. This session will empower educators and therapists to integrate non-traditional, digital tools into their clinical practice, especially through the lens of accessible gaming. Attendees will explore how video games can be adapted to meet diverse needs, learn strategies for evaluating accessibility, and walk away with practical applications that enhance therapeutic outcomes through innovative technology.
Click on this link to register in advance for this meeting
Other Assistive Technology Professional Learning Events
WisTech Webinar Archives
The 2025 WisTech webinars are now available for viewing on the WisTech YouTube Channel. The sessions this year were:
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- Exploring Generative Artificial Intelligence
- Digital Autonomy
- Working with Tribal Members with Disabilities
- Assistive Technology for Mental Health and Executive Functioning
- Digital Literacy and AI
From the desk of Mike Hipple
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Corner
If you missed our recent Community of Practice (CoP) meeting focused on AAC Implementation Guidance, don't worry—the recording and slides will be available here. A core topic of the session was the indispensable role of data collection in ensuring student progress. Effective data collection goes beyond just tallying communication attempts; it is the essential framework we use to determine three critical things: Is the student making measurable growth? Is the selected AAC system truly functional and meeting their needs? And how can we adjust goals and instruction to provide targeted support for communication and literacy skills development? By systematically gathering data, we stop guessing and start creating precise, actionable communication goals. Below, is one of the key questions to help you reflect on your current data practices, along with resources to streamline your collection process.
Ongoing Monitoring
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Implementation Question
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Defined
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Tips or strategies
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Resources
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Do you or your team members understand how to effectively collect data to ensure optimal learning, make accurate system and feature selections, and address privacy concerns?
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Data collection is essential for understanding a student's language growth and monitoring their abilities. To achieve this, consider and explore tools that facilitate monitoring student abilities.
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Consider and explore tools that facilitate:
- Effectively tracking a student's progress and skill development
- Device data logging
- Always consider student privacy (consent form example)
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Resources to Share
NEW AT News and Accessibility Tips by Frank Devereaux CESA2
Frank Devereaux is an Educational Technology Integration Specialist at CESA2. He is offering a free monthly technology / accessibility tip. He will share the latest AT news and accessibility tips, highlighting tools, strategies, and resources in educational technology to help support ALL learners. Here are the links for September and October.
QIAT Community, Help Me Out!
QIAT is a nationwide grass roots organization that supports the identification, dissemination, and implementation of the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology services in school settings. Posting a question is free. Often the people who are answering the questions are users of AT themselves and or family members. Consider joining QIAT to assist you and your team in learning, and connecting with others who are willing to share and coach others.
QIAT community, help me out!
Question: “Looking for app suggestions. I have done a search on my own and could not come up with much to meet all of the team's needs.
Anyone know of an iPad app with the following features:
- Accessible with eye gaze
- Option to import own images (to have same coloring pages as peers)
- Have a "fill" tool to fill in whole area and not just "scribble"
- Simple interface - this is for an elementary-aged student.”
Answers from the group: “Apps like Vita Color for Seniors and Anima Color are designed with large buttons, easy-to-read numbers, and larger pictures, which may make them easier to use with an eye gaze control system.
Using dedicated eye gaze art software
-DigitalPainter 2.0: Software designed specifically for eye gaze users, featuring a simple interface for changing brush types, styles, and stroke options.
-MyPaint:This is free software that can be accessed via an eye gaze control. Tux Paint: A free drawing program that can be controlled using a grid set with an eye gaze system.
-Rebelle: This program is compatible with eye gaze setups and can be customized to simplify the interface, according to this YouTube video.
Using specific eye gaze software with coloring features
-EyeMine: While this is primarily for games, it can be used to create art using eye gaze control.
-TD Control: This software allows users to create eye gaze art and is integrated into some versions of Microsoft Paint, as shown in this YouTube video.”
Sometimes All We Need To Do Is Start A Conversation…
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. Wearable technology is now considered cutting edge for those who have epilepsy. It represents the fastest-growing segment of the epilepsy monitoring market. The industry is rapidly advancing beyond simple movement tracking, focusing intensely on improving detection accuracy, extending battery life for continuous use, and achieving seamless integration with broader electronic health for proactive seizure management. Everyday tech like SmartWatches, and new photo sensitive filters offer students the abilities to use technology without being different from their peers. The "EpilepSee" glasses were developed with electrochromic lenses that can temporarily darken the user's field of vision upon detecting hazardous flashing lights, and thus preventing a seizure.
Feature Match/Consideration Guide: Writing Difficulties Physical Access
When conducting an IEP and having the conversation about “whether the student needs assistive technology services or devices, consider the following questions.
Caveat: Please note that examples of specific tools or programs are for illustrative purposes only. This does not constitute an endorsement of any particular product or vendor and any listed app/website should be vetted prior to student use to ensure compliance with the district’s technology policy.
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Area of Student Concern- Writing Difficulties - Physical Access
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Potential Solution Feature Match
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with holding a writing instrument or pushing a writing instrument?
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Various pencil grips, various pencil styles, various pencil types (Marker or crayon)
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with targeting issues on a keyboard?
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Keyguards, larger keys, membrane or virtual keyboards (iPad)
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with missing hands or missing digits?
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Sticky keys or keyboard guard or a stylus
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with stamina for writing?
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Voice to text, word banks, word prediction
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with drawing?
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Teach the student to use drawing programs, or clipart to express their ideas
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with transferring their gaze from a screen to a keyboard?
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Onscreen keyboards or virtual keyboard with alternative access methods such as eye gaze or switch access
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with perceiving they have pushed a key on a keyboard?
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Feedback maybe needed in terms of physical, or auditory input - consider a talking word processor that is set to speak every letter, word or sentence as needed
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with finding their place on a keyboard?
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Stickers for high contrast, color or Braille can be added, keyboards can be made smaller or different configurations for physical and cognitive needs
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Are there accessible supports in place to assist with keyboard access for someone who can not use their hands?
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Alternative keyboard access through eye gaze, switch access, or morse code
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What is AT Forward?
The Assistive Technology (AT) Forward Project works with self-advocates, educators, practitioners, caregivers, and families to increase student autonomy in utilizing Assistive Technology tools to support access, engagement, and progress in learning. The AT Forward Project provides a variety of free resources and learning opportunities, including Community of Practice (CoP) meetings, micro-credentialing, and monthly email updates. See all past recorded CoP meetings on the AT Forward CoP Video Resource Library. Please help us grow our AT community in Wisconsin and refer others to the AT Forward CoP, by visiting the AT Forward Registration page. From AT beginner to expert, the AT Forward CoP welcomes all knowledge level backgrounds!
Together we can and are moving AT Forward!!
If you have any questions or comments about the AT Forward Project, please contact Kathy White at Kathy.White@CESA2.org or Stacy Duffy at stacy.duffy@cesa2.org.
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