Tuesday, October 20, 2026
8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Workshop Summary:
This workshop will highlight the crucial role of coaching within the assistive technology (AT) context. AT enhances the lives of students with disabilities by promoting access, independence, and engagement. While we recognize the positive impact of AT, one persistent barrier continues to be the implementation and support required beyond the AT specialist for AT to truly be effective for students. This workshop will discuss how adopting a coaching mindset fosters collaboration, trust, and capacity-building to enable educators to integrate AT more effectively in the classroom. This workshop equips AT specialists with practical coaching and communication strategies to deliver effective guidance that strengthens educator confidence and sustainable AT implementation.
Professional Development Credits:
IACET CEUs: 0.65
ACVREP CEs: 6.5
Learning Outcomes:
Analyze a minimum of 3 AT misconceptions and barriers to gain a greater understanding of the implementation of AT
process
Differentiate across 3 strategies (consultation, collaboration, and coaching) in order to determine which approach to
utilize
Practice 2 coaching conversation techniques to build educator confidence and increase shared responsibility
regarding AT implementation
Presenter(s)
Registration Options:
| Description | Workshop Fee | Register |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Conference Registration: (Workshop included at no additional cost with 3-day conference registration) | $0 | |
| Tuesday-Only Workshop Registration | $375 | Workshop Only Registration |
Learn more About this Workshop
Presenter-provided Abstract:
Assistive Technology (AT) is well-established as a powerful tool for promoting student access, engagement, and independence. However, persistent barriers, such as educator misconceptions, lack of confidence, and limited integration into classroom routines, continue to hinder its full potential. Research underscores that sustainable, high impact AT use requires more than expert recommendations; it demands educator capacity, collaboration, and shared ownership. That’s where a coaching mindset is essential. This workshop introduces AT professionals to the research that suggests coaching can be a transformative strategy and the potential coaching holds for enhancing AT implementation. This session will provide opportunities to analyze misconceptions and barriers.
Participants will also explore the shift from traditional consultation toward capacity building coaching approaches, grounded in cognitive coaching theory (Aguilar, 2013, 2024; Costa & Garmston, 2015) and supported by recent research in implementation science and special education (Park et al., 2022; Bouck & Long, 2021).
The session will highlight real-world examples from the Kansas Inclusive Learning and Teaching (KILT) project in Kansas, where coaching AT facilitators supported teachers through collaborative data review, problem-solving, and device integration. Case studies include strategies for increasing student engagement using communication tools, and examples of reflective listening that surfaced unmet teacher needs. Participants will unpack what worked, what didn’t, and how coaching approaches built trust and ownership in the implementation process. These stories will serve as blueprints for applying coaching strategies to diverse educational settings. Throughout the interactive session, attendees will learn foundational coaching skills, including active listening, inquiry-based feedback, and co-planning strategies. Emphasis will be placed on knowing when to coach versus when to consult, and how to fluidly adapt across roles as expert, collaborator, and coach. Whether you're supporting general educators hesitant about AT, or mentoring teams toward long-term ownership, this session will equip you with the mindset and methods to foster trust, empower educators, and make your work more efficient and sustainable. Join us to develop a deeper coaching mindset from AT expertise to educational transformation.