Assistive Technology

UW ECHO in Assistive Technology provides training and the sharing of best practices for educators and service providers to consider, implement and evaluate the use of assistive technology to improve outcomes for students.

 

Network participants include users of assistive technology and their families, assistive technology professionals, specialists and teams, school administrators, general and special education teachers, paraeducators, case managers, school counselors, school psychologists, state agency staff, and special education service providers, including OTs, PTs, SLPs, etc.

 

UW ECHO in Assistive Technology is a collaboration with Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources.

Session Information

Sessions are on select Fridays, (check calendar for dates), 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. MT via Zoom video conferencing technology.

To register for the Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 sessions, click the button below.

Add the Fall 2025 Sessions to Your Calendar

Registration and Information

 

Sessions

Assistive Technology session logo

Assistive technology tools have employed AI for decades – think OCR, speech recognition, collision-avoiding wheelchairs, and AAC vocabulary prediction. However, the fairly recent arrival of generative AI (GenAI) capabilities adds a new layer to the discussion of using AI to support individuals with disabilities.
To make informed decisions about AI as AT, educators and disability‑service providers should understand how AI works, where it excels, and its inherent limitations. AT consultant Shelley Haven will explain the must-know basics of AI (and especially GenAI) and share guidelines for AT decision-makers to consider on how and when to use AI-enhanced tools.

Presenter: Shelley Haven, ATP, RET, BSME, Independent AT Consultant

Zoom’s AI Companion can take meeting notes, summarize discussions, and help you stay organized—freeing you to focus on the conversation. But with great convenience comes a big question: how do we protect the private and confidential details often shared in our online meetings? In this session, we’ll explore what Zoom’s AI can do, uncover potential privacy pitfalls, and share practical strategies to keep your sensitive information safe.

Presenter: Alec Muthig, University of Wyoming IT Trainer

Motor speech disorders are characterized by their impacts on speech movements. Despite decades of available speech movement measurement tools, the required cost and specialized training have made these tools inaccessible for clinical use. This session will review speech kinematic findings for individuals with and without hypokinetic dysarthria secondary to Parkinson disease. Finally, we'll discuss ongoing work investigating the applicability of artificial intelligence techniques as a tool for individualized biofeedback.

Presenter: Dr. Zoe Kriegel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Asst. Prof. University of Wyoming Div. of Communication Disorders

This dynamic session delves into ways that educators can harness the power of Artificial Intelligence. Expand your understanding of how AI can support individuals with a wide range of needs. The emphasis will be on practical, easy to use applications and how to choose what works best for you as an educator.

Presenter: Beth Poss, M.A., CCC-SLP, Educational and Technology Consultant

Google’s Notebook LM combines AI-powered organization with intuitive search and summarization, making it a powerful ally for notetaking, research, and accessibility. In this session, we’ll explore how Notebook LM can support users with diverse needs, especially in the realm of assistive technology, by helping capture, organize, and retrieve information more efficiently.

Presenter: Alec Muthig, University of Wyoming IT Trainer

This session explores how generative AI can enhance assistive technology (AT) processes, from IEP documentation and device trials to AAC implementation, professional learning, and progress monitoring. Participants will learn practical prompts and workflows while considering best practices, UDL alignment, and ethical reminders about bias, privacy, and the importance of human oversight.

Presenter: Dr. Aaron Marsters, AT Instructional Systems Specialist for Dept. of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)