Accessibility Resource Fair
2025-10-04 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | JLM Life Center, 2622 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Meet with organizations providing disability resources and services!

Illinois Technical Assistance Projects 2nd Annual Fall Virtual Institute
2025-10-10 08:00 - 15:05
Attention School Administrators and Staff!
IATP SLPs will present: “Overview of AAC for Students with Communication Impairments and Implementation Ideas” (under Session 3 at 12:55 PM)
Register Here: https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0111-0030-4d7763cb448a4ceda3f6809793816b8d

Family Matters PTIC Virtual Special Education Parent Summit
2025-10-15 - 2025-10-17
Join us for the 2025 Family Matters PTIC Virtual Special Education Parent Summit on October 15–17! This FREE three-day event features expert-led sessions in English and Spanish on conflict resolution, guardianship, assistive technology, behavioral supports, transition planning, and much more. Families, self-advocates, and professionals will gain tools, resources, and strategies to navigate special education with confidence.
SPEAKERS
We are excited to welcome from:

Equip for Equality – Amanda Klemas
Arc of Illinois Family Advocate Program – Ruth Aguilar
Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission – Laura Hart and Emma Dorantes
Blackburn and Beyond – Jamie Emmons
Illinois State Board of Education – Sherry Bochenek
Illinois Assistive Technology Program – Jessica Schuyler-Weir
Illinois Elevating Special Educators – Stephanie Woodley
Think College – Caroline Billeaudeau
UIC Assistive Technology Program – Dr. Angelica Perez
GG Interpreting Services – Gladys Guerra
Family Matters PTIC – Abbi Mars, Karrie Potter, Consuelo Puente and Megan Mutti

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
You must register for each day separately. Note that day 3 is delivered in Spanish.
Day One – Participant RegistrationDay Two – Participant RegistrationDay Three – Participant Registration

Family Matters PTIC Event Materials

Download

Disability Resource Expo
2025-10-18 11:00 - 16:00 | Market Place Mall, 2000 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
Stop by IATP’s booth – This expo provides resources and information from a wide variety of agencies and organizations to promote a better quality of life for people with disabilities
For more information, contact the Expo Steering Committee: https://www.disabilityresourceexpo.org/contact-us/

Simplifying Cooking with Assistive Technology
2025-10-28 14:00 - 16:30
Register HereOverview
Daily meal preparation is challenging for nearly everyone—it can be complicated, time-sensitive, and physically demanding. While a disability can make cooking for yourself feel even more overwhelming, a simple tool or strategy can often be all it takes to make it easier, safer, and much less stressful. In this discussion live from the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) Tech Kitchen, we’ll show examples of a wide variety of low- and high-tech assistive kitchen tool options. These include: commercially available adaptive tools, creative uses and modifications for standard tools, individualized fabrication of tools, and tools that use voice control and AI features.
ASL interpreters and captioning will be available for the the live event.
Learning Objectives

Identify at least ten different kitchen tools or tool adaptations that may increase access to safe meal preparation.
Identify at least two possibilities for tool acquisition.
Identify at least one strategy for the prevention of tool abandonment.

Strand(s)
AT for Physical Access and Participation; Aging & AT
Target Audience
AT Specialists; Caregivers; Consumers/Individuals with Disabilities; Consultants/Trainers; Curriculum and Instruction Individuals; Disability Services; Educators; Faculty/Instructors – Higher Education; Family Members; Government/Non-Profit Agencies; Occupational Therapists; Paraprofessionals; Physical Therapists; Rehabilitation Counselors; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators; Teachers of the Visually Impaired; Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Transition Coordinators; Visual Impairment Specialists; Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists
Experience Level
Introductory
Content Area
Professional Area
Session Delivery Format
Live stream presentation on October 28, 2025, from 3-4:30 pm EST
Continuing Education Credits
For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Learning Center CEUs
This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
IACET
For: 0.15 CEU Units or 1.5 CEU Hours.
Speaker/s:
Elizabeth Wright
Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Tech Kitchen Coordinator/Chef Instructor
BIOGRAPHY
Elizabeth Wright is a professionally trained chef with a background in culinary and hospitality management. She also holds the Assistive Technology Professional certification. She joined Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) as the Chef Instructor in 2022 to assist in the development of the Tech Kitchen, a program designed to aid independence in meal preparation in the home through the use of assistive technology.
Relevant Financial and Non-Financial Relationships: Receives salary from employment at Illinois Assistive Technology Program.
Callie Estes
Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
BIOGRAPHY
Callie Estes is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant that holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University in Mequon, WI. She is currently pursuing her graduate studies in Occupational Therapy at North Central College in Naperville, IL. She joined the Illinois Assistive Technology Program in 2024 as a full-time Tech Kitchen staff member, where she supports individuals in building skills for greater independence in the kitchen through the use of adaptive tools, strategies, and assistive technology.

Illinois Statewide Transition Conference
2025-10-30 08:00 - 2025-10-31 17:00 | Crowne Plaza, South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL, 62703, United States
The conference will highlight best practices for promoting effective, person-centered transition planning that prepares youth with disabilities for all aspects of adult life. Attendees will have access to informative sessions covering key areas, including Education, Employment, Community, and Health Care. Additionally, we are excited to offer presentations on transition-related topics in Spanish.

PRC-Saltillo Advanced Access with ALP and Mounting
2025-11-04 08:30 - 2025-11-05 16:30 | IATP, 701 North Walnut Street, Springfield, IL, 62702, United States
Room: IATP 2nd Floor Conference Room

This 2-day course will be presented by Shawn Malcomson, Access Product Specialist for PRC-Saltillo. Our goal for this course is to bring high quality education regarding access considerations to local clinicians. These courses have been taught and refined over many years to ensure the content is relevant, digestible, and applicable.

We ask that the clinicians who attend are somewhat experienced with AAC and already understand the basic operation of the devices. If not, we may ask that they work with the local consultant prior to attending the class. During the lab sections, participants will work in pairs. The class size should not exceed 30 participants.

Your course includes 13 hours of instruction (1.3 ASHA CEUs with a certificate for other credentialing requirements). We will also include a morning and afternoon break as well as a lunch break.

Agenda

Introduction: 15 minutes
Overview of the ALP: 15 minutes
ALP for AAC: 60 minutes
Facilitating Strategies and Application: 20 minutes
Summary, Review, Planning: 10 minutes
Vision: 60 minutes
Positioning/Movement: 45 minutes
Touch Access: 45 minutes
Head Tracking – Part I: 30 minutes
Head Tracking – Part II: 45 minutes
Eye Tracking – Part I: 45 minutes
Eye Tracking – Part II: 75 minutes
Switches: 120 minutes
Grand Rounds: 60 minutes
Introduction to Core Principles: 15 minutes
Overview of mounting components: 30 minutes
Hands on Lab with Q/A: 75 minutes

More about Video Grand Rounds: This is an excellent opportunity to crowd source ideas for moving your client’s access forward. Teams are asked to bring videos of their clients for whom they would like input for an access-related issue. We’re going to have 20+ great minds in the room, let’s put them all to work using what we know and what we learn over these 2 days to help someone improve their skills.

Registration
Register Now

We prefer to have attendees pre-registered so registration on the day of the event goes more smoothly.

Participants will need to sign in to the training every day to be eligible for ASHA CEUs and certificates of attendance.

WISE Webinar
2026-01-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-11 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-27 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-09 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-10 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-28 13:00 - 14:00 and 2 more dates | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82457706975?pwd=[REDACTED]
Are you interested in learning about how work will affect your Social Security disability benefits? The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) – Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program has partnered with the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation (DRS) to host free online Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinars. WISE webinars can help you and your family members learn about the Ticket to Work Program and Social Security work incentives. To make WISE webinars more convenient for our beneficiaries and their families, we host them multiple times a month. Use the Zoom link to join. All sessions will have ASL interpreters during the Zoom presentation.

2026 Central Illinois STEM Fair
2026-04-08 17:30 - 20:00 | Rochester High School, Rocket Drive, Rochester, IL, 62563, United States
IATP Makers will be attending the 7th Annual Central Illinois STEM Fair hosted at the Rochester High School.
This free regional event is open to students grades K-12, their families, teachers, and school administrators from all schools throughout central Illinois (not just Rochester). Admission is free, but tickets are required.

Transition to Adulthood Resource Fair in Huntley
2026-04-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Huntley High School, 13719 Harmony Rd., Huntley, IL, 60142, United States
Free resource fair featuring transition information and resources for students with disabilities and their families
Join Huntley Community School District 158 for the Transition to Adult Resource Fair on April 15 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Huntley High School.
Explore future options for students currently enrolled in the District 158 LIGHT (Life Instruction Guiding Huntley Transition) program or nearing the end of high school.
Participants can explore a wide range of resources and learn more about:

Certificate programs
Career training
College
Adult services for all abilities

See Huntley Community School District’s website and calendar for more details about the transition and resource fair.

The Autism Conference
2026-04-29 | Bone Student Center, Illinois State University, 200 N University St, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
Come visit our SLPs at the IATP booth for the 4th Annual Autism Conference!

Springfield Pride Fest
2026-05-16 11:00 - 18:00 | Download Springfield, Illinois, 6th street, Springfield, IL, 62701, United States
Springfield Pride Fest will have over 100 vendors, great entertainment, great food and drinks, a fun-filled family area, youth and teen talent shows, pride merchandise, and MORE! Stop by and see IATP at their booth!

26th Annual Central Illinois Senior Celebration
2026-05-20 09:00 - 13:00 | Orr Building – Illinois State Fairgrounds, East Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL, 62702, United States
IATP will be exhibiting at the Central Illinois Senior Celebration at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Stop by to see assistive technology in person!
Free admission with the donation of a canned food item for the Central Illinois Foodbank.

Abilities Expo - Chicago
2026-06-12 - 2026-06-14 | Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, Thoreau Drive North, Schaumburg, IL, 60173, United States
Visit IATP at the Abilities Expo.
Abilities Expo brings you life-changing opportunities. It’s products and tech. It’s the chance to play quad rugby, climb an all-inclusive climbing wall, meet a mini horse and connect with others in the disability community.

ISBE & ISELA Statewide Special Education Directors' Conference
2026-06-22 08:00 - 2026-06-23 15:30 | Marriot Hotel, Normal, 201 Broadway Avenue, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
Come visit our SLPs at the IATP booth!
This two-day professional learning experience is designed specifically for special education directors and leadership teams. Participants will engage in thought-provoking keynotes, leader-focused breakout sessions, and practical, transferable tools grounded in both evidence and real-world application. Dedicated time for collaboration and networking will allow leaders to connect with colleagues from school districts, cooperatives, Regional Offices of Education, and state partners to share challenges, strategies, and promising practices.

Low Vision Technology Fair
2026-06-24 09:00 - 14:00 | Christ The King Parish Hall, Barberry Drive, Springfield, IL, 62704, United States
Join IATP and Mary Bryant Home for the Blind and Visually Impaired at the Central and Southern Illinois Low Vision Technology Fair. This is a FREE event for individuals who experience any type of vision loss and/or blindness.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the devices and services available to help them. This event brings together vendors, medical experts, and social service agencies to share information and resources with those who experience vision loss, their families, friends, caregivers, teachers, and others.
Join us for Exhibits, Speakers, Lunch, and Door Prizes. To RSVP for lunch, call (800) 852-5110.
Schedule

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Teresa Scott OTD, OTR/L
Presentation on Low Vision with an Occupational Therapist

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lunch & Exhibitors Introductions

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Sangamon County Triad
Awareness Presentation on Potential Scams

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Door Prizes

Ongoing Events Throughout the Day

Free Vision and Hearing Screening in the Lions Club Bus
ITAC Amplified Phones in Library
Visit with Exhibitors

Exhibitors

Advanced Healthcare Services
Agelinc
Bureau of Customer and Community Blind Services
Educational Center for the Visually Impaired
Guide Dogs for the Blind
IATP
Illinois Department on Aging
Illinois State Library, Talking Books
Innovative Vision Products Inc.*
Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living/ITAC
Magnified Vision, Inc.*
Mary Bryant Home
Sangamon County TRIAD
Senior Services of Central Illinois
Springfield Supportive Living
Springfield Noon Lions Club
Woodlake Technologies, Inc.*

*Denotes Sponsors

Door Prizes Donated By

BJ Grand Salon
Bogg Bags
Bunn
Dunkin Donuts
Educational Center for the Visually Impaired
Golden Corral
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Hae's Coffee
Hy-Vee
IATP
Innovative Vision Products
Jacksonville Center for Independent Living
Krispy Kreme Donuts
Magnified Vision
Mary Bryant Home
Senior Services of Central Illinois
Springfield Supportive Living
Starbucks

AAC Summer Workshop
2026-08-04 - 2026-08-05 | IATP, 701 North Walnut Street, Springfield, IL, 62702, United States
This two-day, hybrid AAC Summer Workshop will feature speakers from various backgrounds to help you enhance and grow your AAC skills. We will have both in-person and virtual presentations and presenters. The workshop courses will be for everyone, including beginner to advanced AAC professionals, teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, parents, Paraprofessionals, and anyone wanting to learn more about AAC.

Tuesday, August 4th

8:30–9:30am
IN-PERSON & ONLINE

Elizabeth Leatherman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
AAC Intervention with Teens and Young Adults
Register for AAC Intervention with Teens and Young Adults

9:45–10:45am
IN-PERSON & ONLINE

Tom Dixon, M.S. CCC-SLP, CBIS
Pediatric TBI and AAC
Register for Pediatric TBI and AAC

11:00am–Noon
IN-PERSON & ONLINE

Savanna Brittlebank, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Evidence-Based AAC Interventions for Early Communicators
Register for Evidence-Based AAC Interventions for Early Communicators

1:30–2:30pm
IN-PERSON & ONLINE

Winnie White, EdD
Unlocking Voices: Practical Strategies for Educators
Register for Unlocking Voices

2:45–3:45pm
IN-PERSON & ONLINE

Shannon Voss
You Don't Have to Be Perfect to Make a Powerful Contribution
Register for You Don't Have to Be Perfect to Make a Powerful Contribution

4:00–4:30pm
IN-PERSON & ONLINE

IATP SLPs
AAC Device Lab
Register for AAC Device Lab

Wednesday, August 5th

8:45–9:45am
ONLINE ONLY

Infinitec
Finding the Right Words: The Link Between Communication and Behavior
Register for Finding the Right Words

10:00–11:00am
ONLINE ONLY

Infinitec
Making Language AACessible: Alternate AAC Access Considerations and Accessible Low Tech AAC Tools
Register for Making Language AACessible

11:15am–Noon
ONLINE ONLY

Nancy Marback-Pehler, MHS CCC-SLP
AAC and the Transition Age: A Look into Social Peer Groups
Register for AAC and the Transition Age

1:00–2:30pm
ONLINE ONLY

Amy Yacucci, Ed.D CCC-SLP/L
Why AAC Isn't Working and What to Do Instead: Moving from Device to Communication
Register for Why AAC Isn't Working and What to Do Instead

2:45–3:45pm
ONLINE ONLY

Stephanie Fassov, M.A.
Ableism and Societal Expectations AAC Communicators Face
Register for Ableism and Societal Expectations AAC Communicators Face

IATP at the Illinois State Fair
2026-08-13 09:00 - 2026-08-23 17:00 | Illinois Building – Illinois State Fair Grounds, East Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL, 62702, United States
IATP will once again be at the Illinois State Fair this year! We will be in the Illinois Building on Thursday, August 13th, through Sunday, August 23rd, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Stop by our booth to see various assistive technology devices we will have on display.
IATP staff members will also be presenting in the lobby of the Illinois Building throughout the week.
Aging in Home – Sunday, August 16th, from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m.; Lobby of the Illinois Building
An overview of the Illinois Care Connections program with a holistic approach to remain safe, independent, and thriving while we age in our homes.
Governor’s Tent – Tuesday, August 18th, from 9 to 6 p.m.
IATP staff will be in the Governor’s tent on Tuesday, August 18th, from 9 to 6 p.m., highlighting assistive technology (AT) designed to make the world of technology more inclusive. A variety of AT devices will be on display to illustrate how they are creating a more accessible future. This is in partnership with Illinois’ DoIT, which is showcasing a range of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) educational activities at the state fair.
Cooking with Confidence – Tuesday, August 18th, from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m.; Lobby of the Illinois Building
Cooking can be stressful, especially with a disability. But finding the right tool or strategy can make all the difference. In this live demonstration, the IATP Tech Kitchen staff will show examples of low- and high-tech adaptive kitchen tools that can make cooking easier, safer, and fun!
Independence with Smart Home – Thursday, August 20th, from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m.; Lobby of the Illinois Building
Using smart home technology to increase independence and quality of life for people with disabilities.

Laremont School’s Special Needs Resource Fair & Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
2026-10-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Laremont School, 17934 Gages Lake Road, Gages Lake, IL, 60030, United States
IATP will be exhibiting at the Resource Fair. It will be held inside of Laremont and in the Laremont Parking Lot. In the event of rain, everything will be inside of Laremont. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Andre Probst at aprobst@sedol.us
