Unlocking Access: Using Assistive Technology to Support Diverse Learners

About the Presenter Jessica Callaghan, M.Ed., has over 25 years of teaching experience in a variety of special education settings. She is a valued and respected resource among teachers in northeast Florida as a result of the 10 years she spent providing professional development, coaching, mentoring, and focused problem-solving around using visual supports, assistive and augmentative technologies, and universal design for learning. She is currently a Local Assistive Technology Specialist for St. Johns County School District. She is the owner of Outside the Box Educational Coaching and Consulting, LLC. Training Description This professional learning session is designed to support educators in creating more inclusive and accessible classroom environments through the intentional use of assistive technology, visual supports, and adapted books. Participants will explore practical, classroom-ready strategies to support students with diverse learning needs, including those with communication, literacy, and executive functioning challenges. The session will provide hands-on examples of how to integrate these tools into daily instruction to increase student engagement, independence, and meaningful participation. Educators will leave with actionable ideas, ready-to-use resources, and a deeper understanding of how to reduce barriers to learning for all students. Target Audience District and school coaches, special education teachers, paraprofessionals Training Objectives · Identify barriers to student engagement and independence · Identify high- and low-tech tools and strategies to address those barriers · Create tools to support success with students who are struggling with communication, literacy, and executive functioning deficits