AT Exchange - Canada: Agenda

10:10 - 10:30 | Guest Speaker

Erin LeBlanc

AT Specialist & Strategic Collaboration Lead at Neil Squire Society

Neil Squire: National Expertise, Local Impact, Trusted Partnerships

For over 40 years, Neil Squire has empowered Canadians with disabilities through innovative programs that promote inclusion, independence, and opportunity. This presentation provides an overview of Neil Squire’s national services, including vendor-neutral assistive technology assessments, employment supports, digital skills training, Makers Making Change, hearing health services, and research initiatives. Using a lifespan approach, participants will learn how Neil Squire serves as a trusted connector, helping individuals identify appropriate assistive technologies, navigate funding options, access accommodations, and connect with the services and resources needed to achieve their educational, employment, and independent living goals.

www.neilsquire.ca

10:35 - 11:00 | Product demo

Inspiration

The Visual Bridge: Reducing Cognitive Load to Unlock Thinking and Communication

Writing, planning, and communication often place significant demands on executive function, creating barriers for neurodivergent learners and professionals. This session explores how Inspiration 12 acts as a visual bridge between ideas and action, using mind maps and graphic organisers to reduce cognitive load and support organisation, prioritisation, and critical thinking. Attendees will discover practical strategies for transforming nonlinear thinking into structured essays, reports, presentations, and workplace documents. Drawing on principles of cognitive accessibility and inclusive practice, the session demonstrates how visual thinking can build confidence, improve productivity, and enable greater independence across education, employment, and lifelong learning.

www.inspiration-at.com

11:05 - 11:30 | Product demo

Scanning Pens

Reading Without Barriers: Empowering Independence with C-Pen Reader Pens

C-Pen Reader Pens are transforming the way individuals access printed information. This interactive demonstration showcases how scanning pens can support people with dyslexia, learning disabilities, vision-related reading challenges, and neurodiverse learning needs. Attendees will see how C-Pen devices provide instant text-to-speech, word support, and greater access to printed materials in education, workplace, and everyday environments. Through real-world examples and hands-on exploration, discover how portable assistive technology can help build reading confidence, reduce barriers to information, and promote independence. Join us to experience a simple yet powerful tool for accessible learning and inclusion.

www.scanningpens.ca/

12:15 - 12:40 | Product demo

Pro-AT Group: Pro-Study and Lernabl

From Research to Exam Preparation: Pro-Study & Lernabl in action

From research and referencing to study and exam preparation, this session explores how Pro-Study and Lernabl support learners throughout the learning journey. Pro-Study helps users capture, organize and reference information from a wide range of sources, reducing cognitive load and making research easier to manage. Lernabl provides personalized study tools that support focus, memory, comprehension and organization, with structured planning, engaging study methods and mock exams. Through live demonstrations, we’ll show how both tools can support more accessible, flexible and inclusive learning, while helping users build greater independence, confidence and effective study strategies.

www.pro-atgroup.com

14:50 - 15:10 | Guest Speaker

Darren Mitzel

Provincial Coordinator, SET-BC

The Power of Assistive Technology: Stories, Innovation and Life Beyond the Classroom

Opening with compelling video case studies, Darren Mitzel will showcase the real-world impact of assistive technology in supporting learners with diverse needs. Drawing on practical examples, he will explore how a combination of specialized assistive technologies, accessibility features built into mainstream tools, and inclusive practices can remove barriers to learning, communication, and participation. The session will highlight the vital role of multidisciplinary support teams, including educators, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and vision specialists, in helping individuals achieve their goals. Looking ahead, Darren will also consider emerging innovations, including the potential of artificial intelligence to complement existing assistive technology solutions. The session will conclude by examining how effective technology support extends beyond the classroom, enabling successful transitions into post-secondary education, meaningful employment, independent living, and lifelong inclusion.

www.setbc.org

15:10 - 15:50 | Roundtable Discussions

Join fellow delegates for a series of facilitated round table discussions exploring the opportunities, challenges, and future direction of assistive technology. Share experiences, exchange practical insights, and contribute your perspective on how AT can support inclusion, independence, education, employment, and lifelong participation. These interactive sessions are designed to give every delegate a voice and help shape collective thinking around the role of assistive technology in an evolving digital world.