Conference for Assistive Technology and Education (CATE)

June 5-6, 2025

CATE 2025: June 5-6

The Center for Innovative Design and Engineering (CIDE) and the Colorado Department of Education are proud to announce open registration for the 2025 Conference for Assistive Technology and Education (CATE). This 2-day virtual conference features sessions with nationally-renowned trainers addressing a wide variety of assistive technology topics related to the academic support needs of students with disabilities.

Intended audience: Assistive Technology Specialists, Special Educators, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Reading Resource Teachers, Instructional Technology Teachers, UDL/RtI Coordinators, Administrators, Education Para-Professionals, Individuals with Disabilities, Parents, and Caregivers.

Session recordings will be available for all registrants to view for 90 days following the conference.

Register to Attend CATE 2025

College Credit

College credit may be available. More details and registration link will be available soon.

Short Courses

Short courses are a total of four hours, split in to parts - a two hour session on Thursday and a two hour session on Friday.

Empowering Paraprofessionals to Support AAC in the Classroom

Kelly Fonner and Sharon Redmon

June 5, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM and June 6, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

This session explores the vital role of paraprofessionals in supporting students using AAC in the classroom. Participants will learn effective training strategies, discuss challenges, and develop custom support resources. Suitable for educators across all levels and settings, the session addresses diverse needs and promotes collaboration among paraprofessionals, parents, and educators.

Make Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) Accessible: Promising Practices for the Ever-Growing Group of Learners with Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

Sylvia Mangan and Kayla Matthews

June 5, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM and June 6, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

CVI is the leading cause of visual impairment in children in the USA. The demographic of individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) and CVI have commonly overlapping diagnoses, such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Epilepsy, and more; according to analysis of publicly available health claims dada, CVI is underdiagnosed and prevalent, with only 1 in 5 individuals in the USA having a diagnosis. It is essential to consider visual accessibility of an AAC system in this demographic. This course will include an overview of CVI, and will walk through guiding questions and principles based in the nascent body of literature addressing AAC and CVI, and outline promising practices for AAC design and implementation, including collaboration, thoughtful assessment, individualized design, and meaningful and motivating modeling and implementation of the system through the learner's life. The format will include lecture, case studies, and time for Q +A.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions are 1-2 hour sessions focused on a specific topic. Full descriptions for breakout sessions can be found on the Sessions tab of the registration website.

Not Just in the Classroom - Supporting Executive Function Skills During Transition

Cassie Frost

June 5, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Choosing Assistive Technology to Meet Academic Needs

Cyndi Little

June 5, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Demystifying Coding: A Pathway to Employment for Anyone!

Christopher Bugaj

June 5, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Using Technology to Quantify Student Progress

Robin Leonard

June 5, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

AAC All Day: Supporting Communication for Students with Complex Needs

Stephanie Ekis

June 5, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Control the Chaos with Executive Function Skills

Stephanie Howell

June 5, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Assistive Technology in Early Intervention Colorado

Danielle French and Wayla Murrow

June 5, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

The AI Dragon and the Implications for Struggling Writers

Samantha Goldman, Sean Smith, and Adam Carreon

June 5, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Revolutionizing AAC with Generative AI

Ken Hackbarth

June 5, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

From Breakfast to Bedtime: Building Literacy Skills All Day Long

Megan Stewart

June 5, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Cards for HumanAT: A Playful Revolution in Inclusive Tech Transformation

Mia Laudato and Christine Fox

June 5, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

AAC in Early Intervention: Where Do I Start?

E Danielle Maglinte

June 5, 2025 1:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Hidden Shadows: How Undiagnosed ASD Impacts Students

Stan Baldwin

June 5, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Enhancing Communication: Evaluating Changes in AAC Interaction Partners' Strategies

Kelly Fonner

June 5, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Assistive Technology

Beth Poss

June 5, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Assistive Technology

Beth Poss

June 5, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

The Write Stuff: Necessary Considerations for Successful Writing Instruction

Christopher Bugaj

June 6, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Wheelchair Dynamic Seating: Providing Movement for Clinical Benefit

Michelle Lange

June 6, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Fireside Chat: Assistive Technology Panel Discussion for a S'more Inclusive Tomorrow

Robyn Kellogg, Sara Rode, Trudy Potts, Katie Price, Abby Kaczmarek, Chloann Wooley, and Becca Stenzel

June 6, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Beyond Words: Integrating AAC to Support Speech, Language, and Literacy in Students with Speech Sound Disorders

Melissa Taberski

June 6, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Leading the Future: AI, CITES, and the Power of Inclusive Edtech

Mia Laudato, Christine Fox, and Brian Wojick

June 6, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Hunter's Voice: A Parent's Journey with AAC in Early Intervention

E Danielle Maglinte and Kendra Decker

June 6, 2025 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Language Settings and Apps for Supporting Multilingual Learners who are Blind

Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky

June 6, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Innovative Tools for Success: Using AI and Assistive Technology to Support Teens with Dyslexia and Executive Functioning Challenges

Cassondra Wilson and Victoria Bondurant

June 6, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Adapting Toys for Play and Therapy

Kristin Barnett

June 6, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Super Simple Tips for Creating More Accessible Documents

Claire Simpson

June 6, 2025 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Bridging the Gap: Customizing AAC Systems to Meet the Needs of Deaf Learners

Jasmine Travers and Holly Maschmeyer

June 6, 2025 1:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Super Simple Tips for Creating More Accessible Slides

Claire Simpson

June 6, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

ARC-BC, Accessibility and Artificial Intelligence

Victoria Woelders

June 6, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Enhancing Learning and Accessibility with E Ink Devices

Brian Friedlander

June 6, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Teaching Families Shared Book Reading to Support AAC

Renae Cuevas Dias

June 6, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM