Session 4 - Thursday, Dec. 5th      3:20 PM - 4:10 PM

CANCELLED: Leveraging AI for Student Accessibility - Worship Center

Session Description: 

As the world increasingly relies on technology, accessibility for all users is essential. This is especially important for students who may face unique challenges related to accessibility. One way to address these challenges is by leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create more inclusive and accessible learning environments. The aim of this presentation is to highlight the potential of AI in providing accessibility for students with disabilities. AI technology can help students with a range of disabilities, including those who are visually impaired, have hearing impairments, and those who require assistive technology to access educational materials. By leveraging AI, schools and teachers can offer a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. This session will Introduce the concept of AI and its potential for improving accessibility in the educational sector, as well as identify the challenges faced by students with disabilities and how AI can help overcome them. We will discuss specific examples of AI-powered solutions for accessibility in education and outline the benefits of using AI for student accessibility. The use of AI in education has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach accessibility for students with disabilities. By providing personalized solutions that cater to each student's unique needs, AI can help create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. This presentation aims to inspire and educate educators and policymakers to consider AI-powered solutions for accessibility as a means of creating a more inclusive and accessible education system. 

Speaker: 

Renee Dawson 

Renee has had a passion for education throughout her life and knew she wanted to be a teacher from a young age. Renee spent 15 years teaching special education in a variety of settings and grade levels to students with various disabilities. She found her passion for educational and assistive technology during the 7 years she was a Physical and Health Disabilities teacher. Renee transitioned to a role as an Educational Technology Specialist at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year at a middle school where she managed the Verizon Innovative Learning School initiative for her campus through the initiative’s duration. Renee is currently an Educational Technology Consultant working in various roles with Educational Technology companies including professional development, content and learning design, and community management. Renee resides in Atlanta, Georgia, USA with her pitbull LuLu. 

Resources: 

Canva Link: Leveraging AI for Student Accessibility ( 

AT Users Panel: My POV  - MOVED TO WORSHIP CENTER

Session Description:

We are excited to bring you a Panel of Students using Assistive Technology tools, who will discuss how AT has improved their lives and education. They will take questions from the audience and may demonstrate their devices. Depending upon availability, presenters may be from a wide variety of settings and use AT for a variety of tasks including communication, writing, reading, and access to their environment. 

Speakers: 

Lorraine Edwards, Ed. S. 

Lori has been an AT Specialist in Cobb County since 2011. In the past, she served K-12 students across all educational settings. Since 2014 she has provided AT support in small group program classes for academics, communication, and access, SNP - Transition. 

Katie Hilliard 

Katie has been an AT Specialist in Cobb County since 2018. Previously, she was an intellectual disabilities teacher with a background in speech. Currently, she supports communication Pre-K through Transition as well as Assistive Technology in our small group program classes.  

Laurel McCurry 

Laurel has been an AT Specialist in Cobb County since 2022.  She has 30 years experience as an SLP in the schools working with all levels from PK-Transition.  In the past Laurel has worked as an autism specialist in the area of speech and language and in the areas of social emotional learning.  Currently she supports assistive technology in Cobb’s small group program classes. 

Practical AT Solutions and Best Practices for Students with Physical Disabilities - The Hub

Session Description: 

This presentation will provide participants with best practices and real-life solutions for individuals with physical disabilities related to academic access, independence and transition. Presenters will highlight a K-12 student's AT journey from Pre-K to High School and the challenges in successful access to the general education curriculum. Participants will be provided with permission and access to assistive technology resources through a virtual bulletin board. 

Speakers: 

Debbie Brineman, Ed.S., ATP/RTS 

Debbie is a former Physical and Health Disabilities teacher and RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional with 37 years of experience in public education. She currently facilitates the North Central GA AT Consortium. She worked in the durable medical equipment industry as a Rehab Technology Specialist providing seating and mobility evaluations. Being able to provide access and create instructional opportunities for students with disabilities through assistive technology is her passion. 

Jim Whitley, Ed.S., ATP 

Jim Whitley is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional with 21 years of experience in Education. For 17 years he was a Physical and Health Disabilities Teacher in Cherokee County, Georgia, where he currently works as an Assistive Technology Specialist. Jim earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Georgia State University and his Specialist in Education degree from The University of West Georgia. 

Unlocking Potential: The Power of Collaboration in AT for Visually Impaired Students - The Clubhouse

Session Description: 

In this session, we explore the transformative impact of collaboration between assistive technology specialists, information technology and teachers for visually impaired students within school settings. We delve into how joint efforts in assessment methodologies and digital workflow planning can enhance access to technology and optimize learning experiences for these students. Objective 1: Introducing the Collaborative Model Objective 2: Assessing Student Needs Objective 3: Developing Digital Workflow Plans Objective 4: Implementing and Monitoring Progress Objective 5: Case Studies and Success Stories 

Presenters: 

Tara Bowie 

Tara embarked on her 26-year career in the field of Visual Impairment at the University of Pittsburgh, where she participated in the Dual Master’s Program for Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (ACVREP). Tara currently works for GaDOE as an Outreach Education Program Specialist. 

Sharon Lyttle 

Sharon embarked on her 17-year career in the field of Visual Impairment at Salus University in Pennsylvania, where she completed her master’s degree for Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI). Prior to her career as a TVI Sharon was a MOID teacher. Sharon currently works for GaDOE as an Outreach Education Program Specialist. 

PPT presentation

Handout