Addison Bender is the Art teacher at Kenneth Culbert Elementary School. He works to create opportunities for learners with all different types of abilities to express themselves through art using various assistive technologies. Examples include paint brushes made from pool noodles, duct tape, and old mop heads, various handles affixed to molded melted crayons, and much, much, more. Mr. Bender shares some of his ideas in the video Art Is For Everyone. In what ways can you make art more accessible to every learner?
Monthly Archives: February 2024
The National Educational Technology Plan of 2024
The U.S. Department of Education recently released the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP): A Call to Action for Closing the Digital Access, Design and Use Divides. It provides a vision for how the consideration and implementation of educational technology can transform teaching and learning to provide increased opportunities and access to all learners. The plan features numerous examples of how educators have adopted Universal Design for Learning and accessibility as an integral part of instruction, assessment, and culture to the benefit of each learner they support.
New Federal Guidance Regarding Assistive Technology
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Educational Technology have recently released a set of guidance documents specific to Assistive Technology (AT). These resources, available at https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/at-guidance, are designed to promote the understanding and implementation of Assistive Technology in educational settings. The guidance documents delve into the nuances of consideration and implementation of assistive technology in a format that uses facts to dispel common myths and misconceptions. Enjoy reviewing these documents to clarify your own understanding of Assistive Technology and consider sharing this resource with other educators, families, and members of the community.