ASET Ontario is 20 Years Old!
ASET is a growing network of Adaptive and Assistive Technology consultants, teachers, technicians and support staff from educational institutions across Ontario, who are dedicated to the support of students with special needs through the use of technology.
Each spring, ASET hosts a conference that is specifically targeted towards Assistive Technology, Universal Design for Learning and 21st century instructional technologies to support diverse learners.
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In 2004, it all started with a small group of educators, a Yahoo mail group and a desire to;
form a collective voice for a network of professionals
share best practices as technology was quickly evolving
and help Assistive Technology evolve in Ontario
Word quickly spread, the first group meeting was held at Durham Catholic School Board, and the Association for Special Education Tecbology (or better known as ASET) was born!
Since our formation, we have helped form policy and change around assistive technology and accessibility.
We set up communication networks to share information and best practices about assistive technology in Ontario schools.
We formed agreements with publishers to help create the W. Ross MacDonald Resource Services Library; a provincial digital collection of textbooks and books in a number of assistive tech formats - free to any Ontario student with a communication disability.
We ensured consistent, high-quality assistive EQAO test formats were created for all qualified students. Previously each teacher was responsible for scanning and editing their own booklets; a momentous task for untrained users with varying quality.
We prepared input as a collective voice to Ministry policy creation (for example – SEA which provides specialized equipment grants) and to ensure that special needs software was licensed for all Ontario Schools
We also have enjoyed enormously popular face to face conferences with 400+ attendees! Last year, celebrated the past 20 years of ASET’s success and 15 years in Niagara Falls.
Anthony Lue - 2025
Michael McCreary - 2024
Spencer West - 2023
Temple Grandin - 2022
No Conference - 2020-21
Rick Green - 2019
Jonathan Mooney - 2018
Patrick McKenna - 2017
The Famous People Players and Diane Dupuy - 2016
Alvin Law - 2015
George Couros - 2014
David Chalk - 2013
Will Richardson - 2012
Alec Couros - 2011
Steve Joordens, PhD, Stephaine Timmer and Todd Cunningham - 2010
Dr. Christopher Lee - 2009
Dr. Rosemary Tannock - 2008
Bruce Drewitt - 2007 (SETTT and ASET)
Will Richardson - 2006