Program 

Presentation Descriptions

Check out some of the 2026 presentations. 

More to come!

A New Era of Braille Access: Windows Without Barriers

Rachel Ramos

Redefining the Braille note taker for today. Powered by KeySoft on Microsoft Windows, this device delivers a braille-first, intuitive experience, making Windows navigation, learning, and productivity easier than ever.

Accessible by Design: Teaching Digital Skills and Coding to Learners with Visual Impairments

Cherise Jerrard, Gabby Vargas

This session will guide educators in using technology to make coding accessible, engaging, and inclusive for students with visual impairments. Explore how Quorum Studio enables the creation of games, apps, and accessible graphs with its built-in accessibility features. Participants will gain practical strategies, resources, and tips to strengthen digital skills, teach accessible technology, and foster creativity while connecting to computer science concepts.

Accessibyte Spotlight: What's new and what's next

Joe Jorgenson

Discover what’s new with Accessibyte since last year’s conference. This session features an in-depth look at the new Teacher Dashboard, the digital Low-Vision Readability Assessment tool, and major updates to Typio, Typio Pro, Braillio, Quick Cards, and Accessibyte Studio. Plus a preview of what’s coming next. Whether you already use Accessibyte or are exploring it for the first time, this session is designed for you.

AI Apps for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Eric Boklage

Smartphone apps can help people in the blind and visually impaired community do many things. Two apps in particular – Seeing AI and Be My Eyes – provide a wide range of assistance, and use AI to do it. This session will be a deep dive into how to use and teach these apps.

AI for Visual Impairment: A Student-Centered Approach to Access, Inclusive Teacher Training, and Social Belonging

Eric Junco, Dionna Ford, Charmaine Martin, Mary Zurkowski, Matt Love

This study explores how AI tools enhance accessibility, independence, and belonging for K–12 students with visual impairments. Using the Social Model of Disability and Belonging Theory, researchers identified both opportunities and barriers. Findings support the need for accessible technologies, educator training, and AI-informed strategies that foster empathy and classroom inclusion.

Beyond the Dots: Building Functional Braille Skills for Every Learner

Lauren Mehalek

Come back soon, description to come!

Beyond the Leash: Comparing Guide Dogs, White Canes, and the Spectrum of Support Animals

Leslie Hoskins, Alyssa Otis

This presentation provides an exploration of mobility tools and support animals for individuals who are blind or low vision. Attendees will learn to clearly differentiate between emotional support animals, therapy dogs, and service dogs, including their legal and functional distinctions. We will also compare guide dog and white cane travel, highlighting practical differences. Participants will discover how the white cane remains a critical tool in guide dog training and daily life, reinforcing safe and independent navigation.

Blind, Autistic, VI Student? What do I do?

Lisa Maher

I have a Blind or Significant Visually Impaired student with Autism or multiple disabilities, now what? This session will be about different activities and accommodations/modifications that can be done to help those students learn. Beginning Braille Activities and Life Skills are the focus. Ideas that you can take back and apply to your population. Have you ever thought, what can I do to adapt to what is being done in their classroom? My ideas will help you!

Bridging the Gap: Collaborative Strategies to Connect Transition-Age Students with Adult Resources

Kirstin Peahl, Jennifer Duncan, Patrick Dugan

This collaborative presentation brings together related service providers to showcase effective strategies for teaching transition-age students about the adult resources that will support their independence and success beyond school. Through a multidisciplinary approach, participants will explore ways to integrate community agencies, real-world experiences, and practical skill-building into instruction. The session will highlight collaborative planning, communication, and resource-sharing methods that empower students to understand, access, and navigate adult services as they prepare for life after high school.

CATT - Supporting the Professionals

Niraj Parikh

CATT provides specialized assistive technology training for professionals supporting students who are blind or low vision. We offer individualized and group trainings, nationwide collaboration, and practical guidance on APH technologies to help educators integrate AT effectively and enhance student access, independence, and achievement.

Check Now, Can You See It? Leveraging Voice- and Video-Capable AI Among Blind and Visually Impaired Travelers

Aziz Zeidieh

Based on my lived experience, this session shares how blind travelers can use today’s voice and video AI, including Meta Ray-Ban glasses, ChatGPT, and Gemini, for real-world orientation and navigation. I present prompting techniques, show what works, and highlight what fails, including timing issues, prompting challenges, and hallucinations.

Connecting the Dots through Transition

Michelle Clyne, McKenna Liesman Youth Services Coordinator HKNC and Kacie Weldy North Central Regional Service Coordinator HKNC

The Illinois DeafBlind Project and the Helen Keller National Center present DeafBlind-focused strategies connecting the dots through transition. Participants, including itinerant teachers, will learn strategies used from youth through adulthood that are needed for future employment, lifelong learning, and ensuring DeafBlind students are well-prepared for life after high school.

Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices to Support Students with Visual Impairments in Illinois: Are We Ready?

Eric Junco, Dionna Ford, Charmaine Martin, Mary Zurkowski, Matt Love

This study examines how Illinois educators and administrators use Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards to support students with visual impairments. Using literature reviews and interviews, researchers identified gaps in teacher preparation, professional development, and curriculum. Findings highlight disability erasure and offer strategies for integrating inclusive practices that foster belonging.

Exploring the Path Ahead: Wayfinding Apps and Tools

Jennifer Duncan, Laurel Kramer, Mary Kate Carroll, Cindy Bergeron

IAOMS presents an interactive session exploring wayfinding and navigation apps on Apple and Android. Participants will experience hands-on demonstrations, comparing accessibility features and learning how these tools support individuals with visual impairments, from early intervention through adulthood, to promote independence, inclusion, and mobility.

Let's Communicate! TVIs and SLPs collaborating for students with multiple disabilities

Anna Froehling, Andrea Simpson

In this session, we will present a couple case studies of students with multiple disabilities and D/deafblindness. We will go over our process of deciding what AAC program is best for our students and families. Then how we go about teaching the team including the student and the family how to communicate using the AAC device. The decision process of how long to test a certain AAC program/device and what to do when the program/device isn’t working for the student or parents/guardians.

Lionel the Brave: A Lion's Journey to See

Jean Deptolla, Amy Szumny, COMS; Natalie Cortellassi, TVI; Yesenia Martinez, LCPC

Lionel is a bright, brave boy who was born with congenital cataracts. His mother, Yesenia, is his biggest cheerleader and has written a children’s book about their family’s journey. Come hear the story firsthand from her and his Vision Team. A story of hope and celebration of what makes us unique.

Make and Take Slant boards

Karen Windy

Using old Campaign signs, (or fresh unused) create adjustable slant boards that can be made quickly in a number of sizes to accommodate your student's needs and foldable or easy storage.

More Efficiency, Less Fatigue - Keyboard Shortcuts!

Elizabeth Koster, Reed Evans

Teachers will learn about a keyboard shortcut curriculum framework and how to adapt it for their students with visual impairments who use Chromebooks. The framework addresses a variety of vision-specific IEP goals, Illinois Common Core ELA Standards, ISBE Computer Science Standards, as well as two Expanded Core Curriculum areas.

More Than Communication: Unlocking Learning Through Tactile Symbols

Casey Byrne

Discover how tactile symbols can be used to create meaningful access to communication and curriculum for students who are beyond concrete objects but not yet ready braille. This session explores assessment, tactile symbol system components, and ideas for practical use of tactile symbols to support communication, academic, and functional skills.

Navigating The System

Lisa Tabaka, Christina DeLongis, Kirsten Werner

The IVLC (Illinois Vision Leadership Council) co-chairs will facilitate a group discussion on current issues facing teachers of students receiving vision services. Topics may include the ISBE Best Practice Guide, recruitment and retention, IEP best practices, advocacy, eligibility, and state-related issues. Participants are encouraged to bring questions and share any relevant information.

Planning the Next Steps: a Discussion on Transition Programs

Cody Froeter

Second Sense is pleased to announce a new program focusing on transition-age students with visual impairment. Join Cody Froeter, Director of Programs, as we discuss the new program and share your feedback on future transition programs.

Smartphones as Independent Living Tools

Eric Boklage

Smartphones are the modern-day multi-tools of our daily lives – especially for members of the blind and low vision community who want to maintain their independence. It’s extremely important that vision rehab and education professionals know how to use these tools and apps – and teach our clients to use them too.

Switchcraft: Bringing Switch Access to Life for Visually Impaired Learners Part 1

Dana Brosso, Justine Kylloe, Tara Ozehowski

This session will cover types of switches and accessories used to connect to both iPads and laptops. We will discuss the ease of use of each type as well as which is the best fit for access depending on the learner and task. Please attend with a basic understanding of what a switch is, how they can be utilized for access, and which student population switch access would be most beneficial for. Brief introduction of types of USB/Bluetooth switches will be covered. Disclaimer: The switches covered in this session are only ones we have tried and have experience with as Teachers of the Visually Impaired. The list of switches provided are not all that are available.

Switchcraft: Bringing Switch Access to Life for Visually Impaired Learners Part 2

Dana Brosso, Justine Kylloe, Tara Ozehowski

This session will cover how to connect the Hitch 2 switch interface to an iPad and laptop, to access switch-accessible apps and/or create a switch accessible activity using switch recipes. Please attend with a higher level knowledge of switches (or having attended part one). Bring any switches/iPads and dongles you have available to explore (we will have some to trial). The session will be capped at 30 participants.

Teaching Authentic Choicemaking to Children Who Are DeafBlind

Michelle Clyne

We strive to teach students self-advocacy. A beginning self-advocacy skill is learning to make choices. The National Center on DeafBlindness recently published “Authentic Choice-Making for Children and Youth Who are DeafBlind.” Let’s review some of the techniques that support the development of this critical self-advocacy skill: authentic choice-making.

Teaching Smarter with AI: Educator Hacks to Save Your Sanity

Danielle Wukitsch

Nervous about AI? Learn practical hacks from 20+ years teaching PC repair, cybersecurity, and game programming. Simplify lesson planning, rubric creation, and project design with AI tools like voice assistants. Join an interactive Q&A to tackle your toughest teaching challenges and boost your classroom sanity.

The Inner Compass: Developing Self-Awareness and Confidence Through O&M

Kirstin Peahl, Carly Reddy, Cherise Jerrard

This collaborative session will showcase effective teaching strategies designed to help students build self-awareness, take ownership, and develop self-management skills that promote independent navigation. Through a “show and tell” format, presenters will share practical tools, instructional approaches, and success stories that highlight how fostering these skills empowers students to navigate their environments with confidence and independence.

Introducing Accessibyte Studio: An All-in-one Windows desktop app and screen reading companion

Joe Jorgenson

Accessibyte Studio is an easy all-in-one app hub for Windows computers. This sessions covers using Accessibyte Studio's built-in accessibility and screen reader compatibility to access it's included apps for books, email, internet, podcasts, YouTube, dictionary, documents, scanning, manuals and more. Audience: Individuals, schools and institutions working with kids or adults.

Through My Eyes: A Vision Teacher's Unique Experience

Haley Grant

Learn about what being a TVI is like from someone who has low vision.

Typio Developer Q&A: Improving Typing and Braille Literacy Together

Joe Jorgenson

Join an open discussion with the developer of Typio, Typio Pro and Braillio for an interactive session to share what’s working in your classroom, what could be improved and what you’d like to see in future Typio updates. Your feedback will directly support student learning and teacher needs in typing and braille literacy.

What’s New with Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS)?

Terra Knowles, Stephen Zulkowski, Deanna Zuchowski

Join us for an engaging session where we will explore the latest advancements in APS technology and examine how these changes influence traditional Orientation and Mobility (O&M) strategies for intersection crossings. We’re pleased to welcome a DuPage County Traffic Engineer, who will share updates, resources, and information.

Which books? Switch books!

Bryan Moles

This interactive session will demonstrate how to make DIY switch-activated tactile books for students who are tactile learners and need engaging, accessible activities. Participants will learn practical strategies for designing multisensory literacy materials tailored for learners with significant disabilities and complex needs.​​

Yes, Another QR code!

Karen Windy

Step-by-step directions to create QR codes for keeping data of students' goals for immediate input and reduction of paper. Have access to actual student info to use if you wish. Access to Canva is recommended, but not necessary.

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