Presentations

Keynote (Tuesday 9:00-10:00)

Leveling the Playing Field: Bringing Success to All! - Hoby Wedler (State Room)

Dr. Hoby Wedler is a celebrated chemist and entrepreneur, noted for his innovative work at the nexus of flavor science, organic chemistry, and sensory perception. Holding a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from the University of California, Davis, Dr. Wedler has carved out a unique niche by focusing on how sensory experiences shape human emotions and reactions. His innovative organic chemistry and sensory research has led to pioneering developments in the way we understand and interact with our environment. 

Dr. Wedler’s work focuses on product development in the food and beverage industry as well as designing and performing unique multi-sensory experiences called Tasting in the Dark. Beyond his scientific achievements in organic chemistry and as an entrepreneur, Dr. Wedler is a passionate educator and advocate for inclusivity in science and business, inspiring a wide audience through lectures, workshops, and mentorship programs. His contributions to both academia and industry have not only advanced the field but also fostered a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of sensory perception. 

Dr. Wedler developed Tasting in the Dark in 2011 with Francis Ford Coppola and has since expanded it to a wide variety of markets and industries around the world. His work was recognized when he was named a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama for enhancing employment and education opportunities for people with disabilities. He has also been featured in Forbes Media’s 30 under 30 in the food and beverage industry, and as a 40 under 40 tastemaker by the Wine Enthusiast. A co-founder of four companies, Dr. Wedler views entrepreneurship as a means to address challenges, solve complex problems, and improve the world. More about Hoby Wedler can be found at https://www.hobywedler.com/.

Breakout Session 1 (Tuesday 10:15-11:15)

1A Digital Math: Introducing Skill Level Checklists to Prepare Students for Success (State Room)

• Sara Larkin, Statewide Math Consultant, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• Dr. Tina Herzberg, Professor and Coordinator of the Visual Impairment Program, University of South Carolina Upstate

• Description: In the evolving landscape of PreK-12 education, an increasing amount of math content is being offered through digital platforms such as websites, apps, and ePubs. Students are now expected to engage with and demonstrate their understanding in digital formats. For students with visual impairments, it's essential to develop strong skills to access and create complex digital math content. This session, led by a national digital math team from Perkins, will present digital math checklists and resources tailored to PreK-grade 3, grades 3-5, middle school, and high school students. These checklists will help teachers of visually impaired students (TVIs) ensure that their students possess the necessary knowledge and skills for success in today’s digital classroom. We welcome your input!

1B Tactile Adventures in Physical Science (Capitol Room)

• Dr. Rosanne Hoffmann, Science & Health Product Manager, American Printing House for the Blind

• Description: The APH Tactile Ionic Bonding Kit is a new interactive model system that introduces the concept of ionic bonding and prepares students for more complex chemistry models. The kit includes tangible manipulatives that demonstrate electron transfer between atoms and the formation of ionically formed compounds such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and magnesium chloride (MgCl2). This presentation will also share a set of physical science tactile graphics currently under development at APH. Tactile illustrations depicting chemistry and physics concepts will be shared to gather audience feedback; edits to current diagrams and suggestions for more and different illustrations will be welcomed. 

1C Planning and Hosting a Day of Code (Liberty Room)

• Jenny Wheeler, Outreach Specialist - Southwest, American Printing House for the Blind

• Allison Mello, Assistive Technology Specialist and TVI, California School for the Blind

• Description: Computer science is an exciting and vitally important area of STEM training for our students with visual impairments. No matter what heights they may reach with their knowledge, it all starts with conceptual development, problem-solving, and opportunities for hands-on learning and practice. Conceived for this purpose, the Day of Code has become an annual event for many students around the United States. Assistive Technology specialists at California School for the Blind, in partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind and the National Coding Symposium, have created a model that has been carefully refined through experience and specially defined for administrators, teachers, and other STEM enthusiasts who serve students with visual impairments in diverse school and community environments. Join us for a discussion of this unique, comprehensive model and the steps that you can take to successfully plan and implement a Day of Code for your students.

Breakout Session 2 (Tuesday 11:30-12:30)

2A Digital Math: Workflows from Teacher to Student and Student to Teacher (State Room)

• Susan Osterhaus, Statewide Mathematics Consultant, Outreach Program, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• Sara Larkin, Statewide Math Consultant, Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• Description: Workflows for accessible math are ever changing in the digital world! Come and join us to discuss multiple approaches for producing accessible math for all grade levels of students, various low-tech and high-tech options that students can use to express their learning, and factors that may influence workflows.

2B Better Access to Tactile Graphics and Braille = Better STEM Education for Blind Students (Capitol Room)

• Dr. John Gardner, President, ViewPlus Technologies

• Carolyn Gardner, Corporate Secretary, ViewPlus Technologies

• Description: In this session we will highlight the advantages of more inclusive STEM education of both blind and sighted students using 1) Text and math in braille with words and equations over printed in ink, and 2) tactile graphics with tactile textures and overprinted in full color. Such materials can be created easily using ViewPlus Tiger Software Suite (TSS) v 9 and the new ViewPlus Elite with Color InkConnect. We will discuss briefly the new TSS braille figure drawing and labeling capabilities in Tiger Designer as well as new features for math translation to UEB or Nemeth using MathCAT. 

2C Making STEM Accessible with 3D Prints (Liberty Room)

• Joan Horvath, Co-founder, Nonscriptum LLC

• Rich Cameron, Co-founder, Nonscriptum LLC

• Description: Teaching math is particularly amenable to using 3D printed models. This presentation will describe a library of over 100 open source geometry, trigonometry, calculus and science 3D printable models. These models are written in the open source CAD program OpenSCAD, which is text-based and accessible to blind and low-vision students. This opens the possibility of students developing and testing their own 3D printable STEM models. The presenters will discuss their experience teaching with these models in an afterschool program and suggest ways to incorporate them into conventional STEM classes.

Breakout Session 3 (Tuesday 1:30-2:30)

3A New and Upcoming Math Products from APH – Geometric Drawing Stencils, Cedric’s Cartesian Quest, and Cosmic Number Lines (State Room)

• Dr. Li Zhou, Math Product Manager, American Printing House for the Blind

• Description: During this presentation, a developer from APH will demonstrate three new and upcoming math products: 1) Geometric Drawing Stencils – A tool designed for K-12 students to draw geometric shapes and graph algebraic and trigonometric functions by hand. The presenter will introduce its three major components, explain their designs, and demonstrate how to use them for drawing tactile graphics. 2) Cedric’s Cartesian Quest – An iPad game for middle school students that helps strengthen their understanding of the coordinate system through engaging gameplay. The presenter will explain its structure, highlight its features, and demonstrate a few activities. 3) Cosmic Number Lines – An iPad and iPhone app for early elementary students to learn about the number line. The presenter will describe its features and demonstrate several activities. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions about these products and discuss how to use them with visually impaired students.

3B 3-D Printing and Astronomy for Students with Visual Impairments: Insights from the STEM Career Exploration Lab Project (Capitol Room)

• Dr. Thomas Madura, Associate Professor, San Jose State University

• Dr. Carol Christian, Hubble Space Telescope Outreach Project Scientist, Space Telescope Science Institute

• Description: 3D printing holds promise for students with visual impairments in addressing astronomy content, concept development, and providing access to information normally displayed visually. We summarize results from our STEM Career Exploration Lab (CEL) programs, which are week-long student summer camps that employ tactile astronomy instruction via 3D printing and specially designed 3D-printed models. We present our CEL approach, a sample of our lessons and 3D models, and key insights learned. Our program centerpiece is the 3D printer build, wherein students assemble a desktop 3D printer. We have held STEM CELs in twelve states, serving over 120 students with visual impairments. Teachers of the visually impaired and STEM high school teachers assisted with the STEM CELs and the development of the lessons. We find 3D printing is useful in showcasing scientific data for understanding and appreciation of astronomy. This work is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (1949458).

3C What's Next for Our Students? Working to make STEM more accessible and seeking feedback (Liberty Room)

• Ashley Neybert, STEM Center Doctoral Candidate, Oregon State University

• Description: Boost your success rates when asking for student services by using learning theories in easy to understand formats!  Background of moral, medical, social, and the new embodiment theory of disability with relation to student learning and perception will be discussed along with ways to incorporate them into your classroom. The two-fold theory of belonging will also be included with how to use this theory to reinforce student learning through inclusive practices. In the 2nd part of this talk, future resources including papers on past student experiences, suggestions for future teaching practices, and a possible movie on student STEM accessibility for the blind will be discussed. The last few minutes of the talk will be a discussion on current teacher pain points in achieving STEM accessibility for their students and critiques on the proposed project for the betterment of future student access.

Breakout Session 4 (Tuesday 2:45-3:45)

4A Quick and Easy Tactile Graphics with TactileView (State Room)

• John Taylor, Product Specialist, Sterling Adaptives

• Damien Crane, Technology and Product Specialist for the Visually Impaired, Sterling Adaptives 

• Description: Learn how a few tools can help make tactile graphics creation so much easier! These tools make it simple and easy to create Tactile graphics and math graphs, and output them to devices like braille embossers and thermoform machines.

4B WaterViz STEAM Program for Students with Visual Impairments: A Multisensory Approach to Understanding Water Cycle and Climate Data (Capitol Room)

• Dr. Mary Robbins, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, South Carolina School for the Deaf & the Blind

• Dr. Tina Herzberg, Professor and Coordinator of the Visual Impairment Program, University of South Carolina Upstate

• Niki Outen, Vocational Rehabilitation Program Lead, South Carolina Commission for the Blind

• Susan Osterhaus, Statewide Mathematics Consultant, Outreach Program, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired 

• Description: The WaterViz STEAM Program uses data-derived art, music, and multisensory activities to teach water cycle science. We will share about camps held in collaboration with the SC Commission for the Blind and Project INSPIRE where participants analyzed, interpreted, and built 3D scale models to represent scientific data collected at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Teens developed and refined critical thinking, data analysis, media literacy, and expanded core curriculum skills and learned about the environmental, societal, and economic impacts of long-term climate data trends. We will highlight the impact of universally designed instruction, creative and multisensory data representations, 3D models, and tactile graphics on students’ understanding of water cycle and climate data. Impacts on students’ self-confidence and perceptions of STEAM careers will also be shared. Attendees will be equipped with resources, strategies, and inspiration for building their students’ STEAM skills.

4C Successes and Challenges of a Virtual Math Club for Students with Visual Impairments - Math Minds Unseen (Liberty Room)

• Dr. Anitha Muthukumaran, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Math Minds Unseen Virtual Math Club

• Description: "Math Minds Unseen" is a virtual math enrichment club tailored for students with visual impairments and blindness. This session will delve into our innovative approach to making competitive math accessible through digital platforms. Launched in February 2024, our club aims to create an engaging environment for elementary and middle school students to tackle problems from MATHCOUNTS and the American Math Competitions. Attendees will gain insights into the successes and challenges we’ve encountered in adapting math content for diverse accessibility needs, including braille devices, screen readers, and magnification tools. We’ll also explore how teaching competitive math benefits students with visual impairments, enhancing their STEM career prospects.

Breakout Session 5 (Tuesday 4:00-5:00)

5A Teaching Inherently Visual Science Concepts in Non-Visual Ways (State Room)

• Kate Meredith, President, GLAS Education

• Olivia Smithmier, Education Consultant, GLAS Education

• Description: This presentation aims to equip educators of blind and low-vision (BLV) students with innovative strategies for teaching fundamental STEM concepts that are traditionally visual in nature, such as parallax, angular size, and focus. Participants will experience hands-on demonstrations using tactile materials and auditory tools designed to convey these principles effectively. By exploring multiple modalities for teaching, attendees will learn how to break down complex visual ideas into accessible formats, ensuring all students can engage with and understand these critical concepts. The session will also highlight the importance of fostering social literacy among BLV students through a comprehensive understanding of visual phenomena, ultimately empowering them to navigate and appreciate the world around them.

5B Desmos Graphing Calculator with JAWS (Capitol Room)

• John Rose, Short-Term Programs Teacher, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• Description: This presentation will detail key skills and strategies for instructing students using the Desmos Graphing Calculator with JAWS. Participants will have an opportunity to review lessons and embossed graphs. The demonstration will include how to prepare a Desmos graph to be embossed.

5C Touching the Future: AI and Graphiti Transform Interpretation of Dynamic Tactile Graphics (Liberty Room) CANCELLED

• Venkatesh Chari, CEO, Orbit Research

• Description: This presentation demonstrates how AI and the Graphiti family of tactile graphic displays revolutionize accessibility for blind students by providing real-time descriptions of tactile graphics. Attendees will explore how these tools enhance understanding of graphical content, making subjects like math and science more accessible. By combining advanced AI with touch interfaces, this technology enables students to interpret and interact with images independently, bridging gaps in education and empowering them to engage fully in STEM learning.

Breakout Session 6 (Wednesday 9:00-10:00)

6A Typing Accessible Mathematics in Microsoft Word (State Room)

• Jennifer Marsala, Instructional Designer, University of Houston Department of Mathematics

• Description: Learn to type math in Microsoft Word! The output is accessible with JAWS as well as with NVDA + MathCAT. This workshop covers four methods of creating mathematics in Microsoft Word. Special emphasis is given to successive keystrokes known as autocorrect codes which can be used to produce mathematical symbols. These autocorrect codes are valuable for all but vital for those who are visually impaired, since Word’s equation toolbar can be difficult to navigate with a screen reader. Participants will be provided with a list of autocorrect codes to produce most of the math symbols needed from elementary school through Calculus. Participants will learn to 1) select symbols and functions from Word’s equation toolbar, 2) type autocorrect codes for math symbols and functions, 3) use Word’s Ink Math option to convert handwritten math to typewritten math, and/or 4) use LaTeX commands. Feel free to bring your laptops (and headphones for screen readers) to create math as Jennifer is presenting!

6B Building Innovation-Mindset in Staff & Students (and How to Fund It!) (Capitol Room)

• Lydia Moreno, Makerspace & Mobile STEM Unit Coordinator, Kansas State School for the Blind

• Brett Kisker, Director of Curriculum Development, Make48

• Description: Cultivating an innovation mindset in staff and students requires intentional design and inclusivity, especially when empowering learners with visual impairments. This session equips educators and administrators with actionable strategies to foster creativity and collaboration while aligning with state standards. Participants will explore the Makerspace movement, learning how to create accessible spaces with adaptive technologies like braille resources, voice-guided tools, and haptic feedback devices. The session highlights practical steps for designing inclusive environments where visually impaired students can thrive alongside their peers. Additionally, attendees will discover funding solutions, from grants to community partnerships, to make these initiatives achievable on any budget. Leave with the tools to inspire innovation and equity in your learning spaces!

6C Inclusion of the Blind in the STEM Workforce: Where are we now? Where are we going? (Liberty Room)

• Dr. Cary Supalo, Research Developer, Educational Testing Service (ETS)

• Description: This presentation will discuss briefly where we are now in the blindness field on the path towards full inclusion of the blind into the STEM workforce. What are some of the current challenges educators currently face and what are some innovative solutions that are just on the horizon towards removal of some of these current barriers both in the laboratory and in the classroom. This presentation will conclude with a discussion on barriers to access for the blind to enter employment in the STEM workforce. Some workable solutions will be presented and how educators can help to support change to remove some of these barriers. A glimpse at what the future for the blind may look like in the STEM workforce will also be presented.

Breakout Session 7 (Wednesday 10:15-11:15)

7A The Equalize Editor - A Web Application for Braille Math Document Translation (State Room)

• Sam Dooley, Senior Software Developer, Lake Pines Braille

• Description: The Equalize Editor allows braille professionals to create, translate, and remediate documents using UEB contracted text and Nemeth braille math.  It supports file I/O, clipboard cut/paste, and document export to HTML, PDF, and BRF formats.  It allows input from HTML, MathML, AsciiMath, and Markdown formats.  Its accessible user interface gives sighted and braille users equal access to online math content.

7B Lighting the Fire: Accessibility in the Modern Science Classroom (Capitol Room)

• Dr. Adeyanju Okungbowa, Science Teacher, South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind

• Description: Recently, the SC School for the Blind developed a new science laboratory to encourage greater accessibility in the sciences. Meticulous planning went into designing the floor plan, selection of accessible equipment, and ensuring the lab could be used for all age groups. With funding provided through various community partnerships and grants, the science laboratory brought several local businesses together in support of STEM accessibility. From our experience, science curricula does not have built-in accessibility options for students with visual impairments. Redesigning activities so students can experience independence in the science lab can help increase student confidence and advocacy skills in STEM. This presentation will include an overview of the thought process for designing the science lab, selecting the lab equipment, and working with the district for funding. Participants will be provided with the opportunity to redesign an accessible science activity.

7C What Does Hands-on, Experiential, Multimodal Learning Mean for STEM? (Liberty Room)

• Dr. Sonja Phillips Biggs, President, Owner, TVI, COMS, Sonja Biggs Educational Services, Inc.

• Sarah Chatfield, CEO, TVI, Sonja Biggs Educational Services, Inc.

• Brandon Biggs, CEO, XR Navigation

• Description: How can you implement a hands-on, experiential, multimodal learning experience for your students with visual impairments when teaching STEM to students with visual impairments? We are going to show you what is possible and give you strategies you can take with you. You will be able to touch and experience many models and experiential, hands-on teaching materials. Go home with strategies you can begin using with your students.

Breakout Session 8 (Wednesday 11:30-12:30)

8A How are Students with Visual Impairments Accessing and Interacting with Digital Math Content? Let’s Talk! (State Room)

• Dr. Tina Herzberg, Professor and Coordinator of the Visual Impairment Program, University of South Carolina Upstate

• Dr. Michael Tuttle, Assistant Professor, Florida State University

• Leslie Thatcher, Director, Program Development and Strategy, Transition Center, Perkins School for the Blind

• Dr. L Penny Rosenblum, Owner, Vision for Independence, LLC

• Description: With the increase of digital math content, teachers and students who are blind or have low vision need to adapt their workflows and expand their repertoire of skills. The presenters will briefly share focus group findings and engage participants in discussing skills necessary to interact with digital math content and solutions for barriers. 

8B STEM Accessibility 101 (Capitol Room)

• Dr. Neil Soiffer, Chief Listening Officer, Talking Cat Software

• Description: Accessible STEM material continues to be an area that teachers and students struggle with. However, progress has been made over the last decade so that accessible speech and braille for equations and chemical formulas is much less of a problem. In this talk, I will walk through the basics of installing/turning on equation accessibility in JAWS and NVDA. Both screen readers (and several others) are in the process of making the open source MathCAT (Math Capable Assistive Technology) project their default option. MathCAT provides many options to customize the speech, braille, and navigation of equations in STEM content. MathCAT works with content on the web, in Microsoft Office, and (surprise!), in PDF documents that conform to PDF 2.0. I will discuss many of these options so that users can customize their interaction with STEM content. I will also present some possible directions for future features. There will be time left for people to ask questions they have and make suggestions for things they would like to see in the future.

8C The Future of Interactive STEM Learning on a Dynamic Tactile Display (Liberty Room)

• Dr. Greg Williams, Science and Accessibility Coordinator, Tactile Engineering

• Description: The advent of dynamic multiline braille and tactile graphics displays, such as the Cadence Tablet, is creating opportunities for students to interact with tabular and graphical data in real-time in ways that were previously unimaginable. This talk will explore some examples of what is possible using remote telemetry and digital telescope feeds. These will be demonstrated using our experience deploying the Cadence Tablets at the 2024 total eclipse at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to display the eclipse in real-time and observe telemetry data from a high-altitude weather balloon.

Breakout Session 9 (Wednesday 1:30-2:30)

9A Bridging the Gap: Innovative Approaches to Accessible STEM Education (State Room)

• Kurt Poppenhouse, Associate Digital Academic Designer- Instructional Design, McGraw Hill Education

• Beckie Palmer, Principal Product Designer- Design Systems, McGraw Hill Education

• Jeremy Schmidt, Academic Accessibility Tester, McGraw Hill Education School A11y Team 

• Description: Our talk will highlight MHE's dedication to breaking down unintended barriers in education through thoughtful design. We'll showcase our suite of math eTools, PDF accessibility, and eBook Widgets. We'll delve into the specific challenges of making STEM content accessible in various formats, comparing print and digital solutions. We will emphasize the importance of early engagement with accessible digital STEM materials, particularly in K-5 content, and how these foundational skills benefit students in higher grade levels.

9B Recharge Your Nemeth (Capitol Room)

• Susan Osterhaus, Statewide Mathematics Consultant, Outreach Program, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• Maylene Bird, Secondary Mathematics Teacher, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• Description: The latest BANA Nemeth Code rule books and guidelines will be presented with the most significant rule changes. Other Nemeth Code resources will also be cited. Numerous sample Nemeth Code math expressions from first grade to Algebra II will be shared as we refresh those slightly rusty braille skills – especially encountering those common errors we all make.

9C Forensic Science Camp (Liberty Room)

• Annalise Diodato, Forensic Chemistry Consultant, Independence Science

• Ashley Neybert, Lead Curriculum Design Specialist, Independence Science

• Description: The program will start with an introduction of the Forensic Science Camp. This will include an overview of crime scene etiquette and  a description of a tactile crime scene. Tactile printouts from the crime scene will then be handed out to give participants an opportunity to run through aspects of the camp. Importance of spatial learning concepts will be highlighted as we walk through an interactive crime scene activity pointing out common misconceptions of students to highlight teaching strategies used to prevent misconceptions along the way.

Breakout Session 10 (Wednesday 2:45-3:45)

10A Inclusio: A One-Stop Shop for Accessible Graphics (State Room)

• Dr. Derrick Smith, Dean of College of Education, Auburn University at Montgomery

• Dr. Danielle Guzman-Orth, Principal Researcher and Founder, Measured Methods Consulting

• Dan Gardner, CEO, ViewPlus Technologies

• Dr. John Gardner, Founder and President, ViewPlus Technologies

• Description: Inclusio is developing an end-to-end solution for accessible content, powered by AI and featuring multiple output platforms. This presentation highlights advancements in how Inclusio makes content work across three platforms: embossed tactile graphics, multimodal touchscreen displays, and audio/tactile output on IVEO. We’ll showcase how our software interprets digital graphics (like image files) and enables access on multiple platforms. Additionally, we’ll demonstrate how Inclusio’s AI-driven automation platform simplifies the creation of accessible graphics, helping teachers and students convert inaccessible content into inclusive formats. We will also invite the community to trial the software and contribute to its evolution.

10B Supporting High School Math Learning across the Educational Continuum (Capitol Room)

• Dr. C. Rett McBride, Assistant Professor, Georgia State University Perimeter College

• Dr. Tina Herzberg, Professor and Coordinator of the Visual Impairment Program, University of South Carolina Upstate

• Description: Students who are successful in high school math classes are more likely to pursue STEM majors in college and ultimately seek employment in STEM fields. In the fall 2022, the presenters conducted a survey of 83 itinerant teachers of students with visual impairments who supported 159 high school students taking high school math classes. Study participants shared about their experiences, including the strategies they use to overcome challenges in the math classroom. We will contrast these study findings with data we are currently collecting from math teachers at schools for the blind. We will also compare the findings from both studies with past research that explored national trends in high school math course-taking. The comparison will assist attendees in understanding the similarities and differences between the course-taking patterns of secondary students with visual impairment and secondary students on the national level. Time will be allotted for discussion.

10C From the Creation of Math and Science Content in Microsoft Word to the BrailleNote and Back: Promoting the use of Braille in STEM Fields (Liberty Room)

• Rachel Ramos, Blindness Product Specialist, HumanWare

• Description: The BrailleNote Touch’s KeyMath app is a valuable tool in today’s connected math and science classrooms. Now, teachers can create content in Microsoft Word using MathML, and students can view this content on their BrailleNote. Students can also create materials for teachers to view/edit in Microsoft Word. Subjects involving equations are now 2-way, implementing an equal environment for learning in a braille-first manner. This session will demonstrate how a user can easily create a Nemeth or UEB math document to show work in real-time. Participants will learn multiple ways of transferring these math files from a BrailleNote for editing on a computer. In addition, attendees will see how KeyMath simplifies the workflow for the student and increases their independence and confidence as work can be turned in at the same time as sighted peers.

EndNote (Wednesday 4:00-5:00)

Tech and Transition to STEM Careers (State Room)

• Dr. Ting Siu, Coordinator, Washington State School for the Blind/CATT-NW

• Eli Sanchez, Tech Trainer, Washington State School for the Blind/CATT-NW

• Description: Too often, blind and low vision students transition from the primary school system without critical technology skills that are needed for college and employment. For students who want to pursue STEM careers, graduating with a high level of technology proficiency can dictate students’ success. To ensure successful transition to STEM careers, teachers must commit to a holistic approach to implement the technology instruction that is needed. This discussion-oriented workshop will share a variety of tech-teaching "recipes" and inspire participants to level up their technology teaching skills. Strategies for effective instructional planning will be collectively shared to meet students’ technology needs for successful transition and preparation to be a STEM professional. 

Past Institutes

Below is information about past presentations at the institute.