Supporting access to grade-level learning through assistive technology
What’s it about?
Hear from a team of experts in special education as they share practical ways to help every student access grade-level content. You’ll learn how they removed common reading and writing barriers, aligned instruction with IEP and 504 requirements, and supported progress toward literacy and content-area goals.
See how consistent practices, thoughtful use of assistive technology tools, and simple shifts in instruction can boost engagement, and support multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and others who benefit from varied ways to access content. Attendees will walk away with clear, repeatable strategies they can use across classrooms to deepen participation and strengthen outcomes.
What you'll learn
- Identify strategies that improve meaningful access to grade-level content and strengthen compliant, inclusive practices
- Use assistive technology to remove common reading and writing barriers
- Build independence and support all learners more effectively
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Meet the speakers
Edward DeMasters
Director of Assistive Technology, Gravette School District
Edward has five years of experience teaching in both resource and inclusion settings and also serves as the Director of Assistive Technology for the Gravette School District. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Edward brings a strong sense of service and advocacy to his work in education. As a father to an 11-year-old son who was diagnosed with autism and as a former student who received special education services, Edward brings lived experience, empathy, and a deep commitment to supporting and advocating for students who learn differently.
Amanda Inman Ed.S
Assistive Technology Specialist, K12 Public Education School District in Georgia
Amanda Inman is in her 30th year as an educator and served 25 of those years as an Assistive Technology Specialist. She began her career as a teacher for students with severe and profound disabilities before transitioning into roles as an itinerant Orthopedically Impaired teacher and Assistive Technology Specialist.
Amanda holds a Master of Education in Leadership with a Technology Certificate and an Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership with a concentration in Instructional Technology.
For more than 12 years, Amanda has served on the Program Committee for the Georgia Educational Technology Conference (GaETC), where she has worked to expand conference offerings related to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Assistive Technology. She has co-chaired the Program Committee for the Georgia Assistive Technology in Education (GATE) Conference for 11 years and currently serves as one of the conference chairs. She has also served on the Georgia Department of Education Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Leadership Team.
Amanda is a recipient of the Georgia Tools for Life Innovation Award and was named District Support Service Employee of the Year in 2023. She regularly shares her passion for Assistive Technology, AEM, and UDL through presentations at local, state, and national conferences, including ATIA, ISTE, GaETC, GCASE, IDEAS, GPAT Summer Institute, and GATE, as well as through professional learning opportunities for staff, parents, and students within her district.
Somer Smith Ed.S. CCC-SLP
Assistive Technology Coordinator
Somer has 24 years experience as an ASHA certified speech language pathologist and currently is the Coordinator for Assistive Technology, Related Services, Itinerant Teachers, and Speech Language Pathologists for a small school district.
Somer supports assistive technology ranging from low incidence to high incidence as well as AAC. Somer received her bachelors of science in communication sciences & disorders from University of Georgia, her master’s of science in communication disorders from Western Carolina University, and her educational specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University.
Somer has served on the GA DOE AEM leadership team. Somer has shared her passion for assistive technology by presenting at CAST/OSEP, ATIA, GaETC, GCASE, GATE, GA Metro RESA, and locally to staff, parents, and students in her district.
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