Post Conference

Following the NCTI conference the National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) and AccessIT hosted a post conference luncheon on Disability and Educational Technology Planning: A National Policy Discussion.

The featured speaker, Carol Leffler, a lead accessible technologies specialist at Community Consolidated School District 54 in Schaumburg, Illinois, shared the planning, professional development, and implementation challenges her district has faced and the methods they have used to develop an inclusive, district-wide technology plan for all students.  She identified some of the district's major commitments and accomplishments as:

• Combining the district goals, plans, and professional development for instructional and assistive technology;
• Strong and visible administrative support throughout the district;
• Providing one week of professional development on integrating instructional and assistive technologies for all new teachers and support staff; and
• Providing differentiated professional development for all staff based on need and level of expertise.

Download Carol Leffler's PowerPoint Presentation

Following the presentation, NCDAE and Access IT staff led a discussion on how disability issues and assistive technologies can be better integrated into local, state, and federal education technology plans and policies.