Date
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Location Name
BL 25
Name
Inclusive Instructional Design: Training Teachers to Lead the ADA Shift
Description

As the ADA Title II deadlines approach, school districts face a critical shift: moving from reactive accommodations to proactive inclusive design. But how do we train teachers to navigate ADA requirements without adding to burnout? Meet AIDA (Accessibility Instructional Design Assistant), a custom character and Google Gem designed to act as a 24/7 accessibility coach. In this session, we explore a synchronous and asynchronous professional development model that leverages AI to simplify the creation of compliant digital materials. Participants will go behind the scenes of the AIDA project, viewing training videos that feature AIDA and seeing live demos of the Gem in action. Learn how AIDA assists teachers in instantly auditing lesson materials, generating alt-text, and structuring documents. We will discuss strategies for shifting teacher mindsets from "compliance" to "culture." Leave with a roadmap and AI templates to empower your educators to design once and reach all.

Session Type
Traditional Workshop
Track
Assistive Technology/Inclusive Tech
Secondary Track
Equity and Inclusion
Primary Audience
School and District Leadership
Secondary Audience
District Curriculum Leaders
Fall Conference Strands
Educate
MA DLCS Strands
Digital Tools and Collaboration