Benetech, Bridge Multimedia and CAST are joining forces to bring you this very special "unconference" with support from the Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs and the Institute of Education Sciences. Throughout the day participants will have the chance to experience lightning presentations and panel discussions from field experts on how to support students with additional needs as they navigate distance learning and take on summer vacation in these turbulent times. If you are a student, parent or teacher, then this unconference is for you.

Agenda: Wednesday, May 20, 2020

11AM – 6:30 PM ET

Please note that all times are approximate and Eastern Standard Time

Unconference Welcome

11:00 -11:05 AM: Welcome with Ed Metz, PhD and Sarah Brasiel, PhD of IES

Opening Keynote

11:05-11:30 AM: Growing Up & Bouncing Back, The Revised 3 R’s for the Pandemic: Review, Recalibrate and Recover with Sarah Chumsky, Children's Media Consultant

Platforms for Accessible Remote Learning

11:30 – 12:20 PM Lightning Talks:

Distance Learning Platforms: Accessibility Tips and Practical Advice Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky, PhD, CRC, CATIS, UMass Boston School for Global Inclusion and Social Development

Universal Design for Learning and Remote Learning with Bill Wilmot of CAST

Infusing UDL in Virtual Environments with Matt Marino, PhD and Trey Vasquez, PhD, BCBA-D of University of Central Florida

Moderated by Jose Blackorby, PhD

Audience Q&A with presenters

Personalized Parent/Child Supports

12:20 - 1:20 PM: Panel Discussion featuring:

Uma Soman, PhD, D/HH

Amy Parker, EdD, COMS, B/VI

Frank Hughes, Adaptive PE

Aubrie Therrien & Nicole D'Angelo, Theatre & Music

Moderated by Matt Kaplowitz

Audience Q&A with Panel Participants

Curriculum Supports

1:20 – 2:05 PM: Lightning Talks:

Support Students with Learning Differences Online with Bookshare with Christine K. Jones of Benetech

WEGO-RIITE: Writing Efficiently with Graphic Organizers - with Anya Evmenova, Kelley Regan and Amy Hutchison of George Mason University

Attainment Curriculum At-home On the Web - 90-day free COVID-19 Relief Access with Megan Best of Attainment Company, Inc.

Moderated by Lisa Wadors, PhD

Audience Q&A with presenters

Math During Covid-19

2:05 – 3:00 PM: Panel Discussion:

Lina Shanley, PhD., University of Oregon

Mari Strand Cary, University of Oregon

Matt Nupen, Benetech

Moderated by Lisa Wadors, PhD

Audience Q&A with Panel Participants

Adapting for Disabilities

3:00- 4:00 PM: Lighting Talks

An Adjustable Seat for Learning: Technologies to Support Flexible and Accessible Remote Learning and Work with Luis Perez of CAST

ELL & LD STEM Activities with Fatima Elvira Terrazas Arellanes of University of Oregon

STEMIE: Promoting STEM At Home for Young Children with Disabilities with Jessica Amsbary, PhD., University of N.C. at Chapel Hill

Using the Be+ (Be Positive) App for Distance Learning with Kent McIntosh, PhD, of University of Oregon

Moderated by Wendy Sapp, PhD

Audience Q&A with presenters

Research Updates

3:55 – 4:30 PM: Lightning Talks

Biosensor Prediction of Aggression in Youth with Autism with Matthew Goodwin, PhD of Northwestern University and Harvard University

Access and Engagement to Education for Students with Visual Impairments During COVID-19 with Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum of the American Foundation for the Blind

Moderated by Wendy Sapp, PhD

Audience Q&A with presenters

Reaching Complex Students Through Collaboration on Distance Education

4:30 – 5:10 PM: Panel Discussion:

Gwen Sirmans, Parent

Erica McKinney, O&M Specialist & TVI

Christine Spratling, Deafblind Consultant

Deborah Taub, PhD

Jacqui Kearns, EdD

Moderated by Wendy Sapp, PhD

Audience Q&A with Panel Participants

Leveraging Accessibility for Remote Learning Success

5:10 – 6:00 PM Ed Tech Vendors Panel Discussion

Mike Tholfsen, Microsoft

Laura Allen, Google

Richard Ferrie, Savvas Learning Company

Moderated by Cynthia Curry

Audience Q&A with Panel Participants

Closing Keynote

6:00 – 6:20 PM: What Have We Learned About Learning?

Recalibrating the Student-Parent-Teacher-School Partnership with Richard Ellenson, AT innovator, creator of Tango AAC device, Talk Suite and Math Paper apps, and former CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation

Unconference Wrap-up

6:20 – 6:30 PM: Final Remarks

Wrap-up with Tara Courchaine, EdD of OSEP and Kristin Kane of ACF Office of Early Childhood Development, U.S. Department of HHS