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Conference Program

This virtual conference is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education’s Assistive Technology Network. We are committed to providing web content that is accessible to all – including people with disabilities – and to meeting or exceeding all state and national accessibility standards. If you need assistance with accessibility, please contact us.
Empowering Paraprofessionals: Navigating the Intersection of Student Success, Technology, and Supportive Partnerships Face-to-Face
Presented by: Kelly Fonner
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 9:45 AM - 12:15 PM ET Add event to Calendar

For those of you who train, manage and schedule paraprofessionals who are supporting students who use assistive technologies for communication, visual access, social strategies, and physical access. This session will include information applicable to educators working with paraprofessionals in a wide variety of roles, from early childhood settings to high school, and with students who have a variety of disabilities. Content will apply to working with paraprofessionals who are online, in-home, and those that may also be the student’s parent. Discussion of challenges will include training, tensions, myths, system change, and building capacity. Kelly has personal experience at being a paraprofessional herself, as well as working with classroom-based paraprofessionals in-class, those that are one-on-ones, as well as those that act as therapy aides for speech and occupational departments. This session is an opportunity for participants to understand and explore the critical role of paraprofessionals in promoting student success with materials, strategies, and assistive technologies by supporting them with training and planning.

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