Georgia Technology for Independence: Training Series
A series of engaging tech training sessions designed for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), their families, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and allies. Each session focuses on practical, hands-on ways to use technology to build skills, increase independence, and strengthen self-determination.
Upcoming Sessions:
AI Tools for Reading and Email
5/5/2026
Virtual Tech Summit
6/2/2026
Satisfaction Survey results
Check out what our community members shared and how we’re using AI to better understand your needs and improve our programs.
Learn how people are using AI
This project is supported by a grant from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Presenters
Mark Friedman
Professor,
City University of New York
Ruthie-Marie Beckwith
Professor,
City University of New York
David Taylor
Self-Advocate and
fellowship Harvard University
Sandra Wilcox
Self-Advocate,
Uniting for Change
Katie Moore
Co-trainer
David Wetherow
Founder StarRaft,
Microboards and
Cooperative Housing
Past Sessions:
Using AI Safety
Getting Started with AI
AI and Jobs
AI and Wearables
AI and Smart Homes
Past Session Presentation Slides:
- Session 1: Mastering Safety in the Digital Age
- Session 2: Videoconferencing: How to Use Zoom, Microsoft Teams. Google Meet
- Session 3: Voice Assistants: Alexa, Siri, Google & Chat GPT
- Session 4: Looking for Work & Volunteering
- Session 5: Games & Entertainment
- Session 6: Cooking Tips & Recipes Online
- Session 7: Smart Homes
Learn from past attendees
Watch Janet, self-advocates and family members talk about using technology in their daily lives.
Watch the Webinar by Tom Keating, on using internet apps to support independence and self-determination for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Come to the training to:
- Meet new people
- Learn new things to do for fun, work, and school
- Stay in touch with friends and family
- Share information about things that are important to you
- Learn How to Stay Safe Online
Our Partners
Shea Tanis
Professor,
University of Kansas
Rachel Levy
VoiceiTT
Jessica Daiger
SafeInHome
Constance Harrington
Director of Education
TechFirst Shift
Tom Keating
Cognitopia
Steve Sutter
CreateAbility
Mark McKeown
Millar Rich
Tony Gentry
Director
Virginia University
Sheena Adams-Avery
Pathfinder
Chris Patterson
Night Owl Supports
Pisanach Chinratanalab
People First
Jennifer White
CEO
Able Opps
Tech Host Agencies
The Digital Divide is Generally Defined As a Lack of...
and Devices
internet
Affordability
Support
skills
And Self- Confidence
The Purpose of The Technology For All Project
For people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to have and use the same amount of technology the average American does to enhance their independence and self-determination.
Over the past two and a half years of the COVID Pandemic we have trained 5,000 people
Listen to Their Experience
Some of the 3,000 people and advocates trained at the Nebraska Person Centered Planning Initiative, funded by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities. Their experiences are just a few of the thousands we have trained.
Their experiences are just a few of the thousands we have trained.
And with a world increasingly reliant on digital means, the divide will keep growing… Unless we stop it.
Based on our experience in social change and advocacy, we have found training to be a critical element to create systemic change.
In order to address it, we will...
Train a critical mass of people to create a tipping point.
Conduct the training over multiple times to allow deep learning to occur.
How Our Training Works:
A total of 25 Weekly online training sessions targeted to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, family members, Service Coordinators, educators and professionals on topics such as: Using Zoom, Staying Safe on the Internet, How to obtain Low cost Internet services through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the LifeLine program, Using an Internet Browser, and more.
Weekly training sessions will focus on the known best practices and methods to most effectively teach and support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to use technology to enhance their independence and lives. The training will focus on off the shelf technology that is widely available, used by the general public and less expensive than specialized technology. Two self-advocates will serve as co-trainers in all the sessions.
Tech Supporters will be recruited, nurtured and trained to help people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities use tech to enhance their independence and self-directions.
A Community of Practice will meet monthly to share stories, collaborate together and learn how to overcome issues and problems.
People identified from the Tech Supporters group will serve as paid presenters to tell their stories of success and challenges at conferences and disability gatherings.
Ten Webinars by national experts in the field of Technology First and Enabling Technology from other states successfully implementing technology for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Virtual Technology Summit will promote the use of tech for independence and self-direction. It will feature experts in the field, share success stories in Pennsylvania and nationally including providers, families and people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Project Advisory Committee (PAC) – 25 people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, family members, Service Coordinators, AT experts, educators and professionals will serve on the PAC.
Tech Host Agencies will support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to participate fully in the training sessions.
This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.