MindPlay: Expanding Access Through Brain Controlled Interfaces for Inclusive Play

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

accessibility & UDL

Format:

demonstration

Subject Level:

advanced

Age Span:

infant / toddler
preschool
kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12

Target Audience:

AT specialist
autism specialist
consultant

educator
family member / caregiver
healthcare administration
K-12 administration
occupational therapist

physical therapist
special educator
speech language pathologist

university professor / personnel

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

.3 CEUs

ACVREP CEs:

2.5 CEs

Presentation Length: 2hrs 30mins

Location:

Plaza 1

Description:

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) empower children with disabilities to play and interact independently by translating neural signals into device commands. A 2024 collaboration between Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Glenview School District 34, TrueNorth Cooperative 804, and Infinitec introduced BCI trials across Infinitec’s North Coalition districts. Advocates Leslie Mumford and Susannah Van Damme demonstrated how BCIs enable students to navigate digital environments, create art, and engage in play through thought alone. This session outlines partnership strategies for schools and healthcare providers to pilot BCI programs, shares student success stories, and offers live demonstrations. Attendees will learn to identify student needs, secure resources, and leverage networks to implement BCIs, prioritizing every child’s right to autonomy, creativity, and joy through assistive technology innovation.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Analyze three collaborative partnership models (healthcare, education, and technology cooperatives) to design actionable frameworks for piloting BCI programs in their districts.

• Demonstrate BCI operational steps (signal calibration, command execution) through hands-on trials to assess adaptability for students with motor disabilities.

• Formulate individualized BCI implementation plans by matching student motor/cognitive profiles to task-specific applications demonstrated in case studies.

Disclosures:

Employed by and receives a salary from Glenview School District 34. Erin is the owner of The A.T. Tutor LLC and receives compensation for private clients and speaking engagements. Erin is also a contractor for Building Wings.
Leslie Mumford is employed by and receives a salary from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.