Tech Tips

ElevenLabs is an AI voice tool that creates highly natural, human‑like speech from text, making it a powerful option for assistive technology. It allows users to generate expressive, customizable voices that can be matched to a student’s age or personality and downloaded as audio files for use in AAC devices, switches, social stories, or classroom supports. AT teams can use it to create more engaging and personalized communication messages, add audio to visual supports, or build switch‑activated experiences, helping student communication feel more authentic, motivating, and socially relevant.

Students with executive functioning needs may benefit from visual scheduling apps like Tiimo. Features such as visual timers, task chunking, and color-coded schedules can help make time more concrete and reduce overwhelm.

A helpful tip is to use Glint in the moment--you can generate visuals on the fly for routines, choices, transitions, or behavior support instead of stopping instruction to search for print materials.

Past Tech Tips

Podcast Recommendations

AbleGamers: More Than Video Games
​In this episode, AbleGamers Executive Director Jordan Kough shares how the nonprofit is expanding access to gaming for people with disabilities. Listeners get a quick look at programs like Able Player One, APX developer training, and the global Player Panel—plus a preview of their first international esports tournament for disabled players. A powerful reminder that accessible gaming is about connection, community, and quality of life.

AT for Classroom Behavior with Raine Sims
In this episode, Raine Sims, ATP discusses how assistive technology can support classroom behavior. Rather than focusing on behavior management alone, Raine highlights how tools like object-based schedules, visual supports, environmental tech, and activity sequencing can provide structure and communication access that reduces frustration and increases student engagement. Practical examples and data-driven tips make it easy to apply in classroom settings.

Past Podcasts

Conferences

2026 P.L.A.Y.D.A.T.E.

Join us for our 5th annual AT PLAYDATE. PLAYDATE is an acronym for People Learning and Asking “Y”: Digital Age Teacher Exploration. At PLAYDATEs, educators from around the area join together for a day and just play. They work together to learn about technology, apps, programs and tools with one another. There are no presenters, no experts and no agenda. Simply time to play, tinker and explore all at no cost! Lunch is included.

PLAYDATE Topics:
  • ​3D Printing
  • Adapted Books
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Prompting
  • Alternative Pencils
  • Accessibility
  • Assistive Technology (AT) Documentation
  • Book Walk
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD) Design
  • Canva
  • Classroom Management
  • Do It Yourself (DIY) Sensory 
  • Expanding Expression Tool (EET) Supports
  • Inclusive Tech Together (ITT) Project
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Collaboration
  • Visual Impairments (VI) Adaptations

Inclusive Tech Together Professional Development

What is Inclusive Tech Together Project?  Inclusive Tech Together (ITT) is a dynamic, three-part professional development experience for k-12 educational staff designed to unify Assistive Technology (AT), Instructional Technology (IT), and inclusive instructional practices in your school. 
By focusing on anti-ableism and practical implementation strategies, the program empowers participants to bridge the gap between specialized support and general classroom instruction, ultimately fostering a more inclusive educational ecosystem for all learners.

The ITT experience is structured as a year-long coaching-style journey, beginning with a virtual "Define & Discover" gathering on Thursday, November 12, 2026 where attendees identify personalized inclusion goals. This is followed by a mid-year in-person learning day on Monday, February 8, 2027 featuring the keynote speaker, Beth Poss from Inclusive Learning 365. There will be interactive workshops tailored to attendees’ chosen goals and held at various regional sites across the state, ensuring accessibility for educators regardless of their location. The series concludes in Spring 2027 with a virtual "Reflect & Reinforce" session on Tuesday, April 20, 2027 to share successes, challenges and next steps. Participants also be provided with a digital toolkit and resource hub for ongoing classroom support.

Past Conferences Information

Who We Are and What We Do

​The Region IV Assistive Technology (AT) Consortium is one of five Assistive Technology Consortiums throughout the state of Michigan. We include representatives from eight Intermediate School Districts (ISD's) in Southeast Michigan. The consortium promotes and facilities the capacity to deliver quality AT services through regional and inter-regional collaboration and training by:
  • Communicating with both state and national agencies that serve Region IV students in order to exchange ideas, information, and resources.
  • Reviewing software and technologies appropriate for students with disabilities and facilitating group purchases to reduce costs. 
  • Provide professional development opportunities to staff and parents throughout the region. 
Topics of monthly collaboration include the following:
  • Region IV Conference
  • Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)/Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
  • Alt+Shift
  • Assistive Technology Forum Presenters
  • iOS updates relating to accessibility
  • Low Incidence/Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC)
  • 21 Things 4 Teachers Website - Assistive Technology Supports
  • Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Updates

Find us on Facebook and Instagram! 

Region IV Assistive Technology Guidelines 

The Guidelines for the Provision of Quality Assistive Technology Services: A Plan for Region IV is based upon the Region IV Assistive Technology Plan created by the 1994 Academy on Assistive Technology (see appendix for list of participants). As a result of the 1994 Plan, the Michigan Region IV Assistive Technology Consortium was formed. The Michigan Region IV Assistive Technology Consortium is dedicated to building the capacity of its members to deliver quality assistive technology services. The consortium includes representatives from Jackson, Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair; Washtenaw, and Wayne counties and serves several purposes. This plan guides the work of the Region IV Assistive Technology Consortium. It also serves as a framework for districts, counties and schools to use as they develop and refine their Assistive Technology Services. The revised plan reflects a response to current legislation, including No Child Left Behind and IDEA 2004. In addition, it incorporates the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and integrates Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) into the Assistive Technology process.
Download a pdf file of the Region IV AT guidelines by clicking on the button below. 

Accessibility Statement

Region IV Assistive Technology Consortium is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards. We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Region IV Assistive Technology Consortium. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on Region IV Assistive Technology Consortium - e-mail: [email protected]
Proudly powered by Weebly