Scheduled at 1:45 pm in Colorado I-J on Wednesday, November 19.
#41432Speaker(s)
- Neil Peterson, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Edge Foundation
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Interactive/Discussion
- Expertise Level: All Levels
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
AI, remote learning, virtual training -- so much has changed in the past few years. A lot has stayed the same: the need to plan and prioritize, to persevere, to have good working memory and impulse control and other executive function skills. Accessibility depends on good design -- and on the ability of students to use the accessible resources. For people with executive function challenges, taking advantage of access isn't automatic. Executive function coaching is needed.
Abstract
Accessible media, universal design and assistive technology open wonderful possibilities for people with disabilities – but being ADA-compliant doesn’t mean being accessible to all students. Students who have executive function challenges (problems with impulse control, task switching, planning and prioritizing, working memory and similar cognitive skills) can’t take advantage of much of what is offered. Whether their problems are attributable to ADHD, other learning disabilities, childhood trauma or other causes, they don’t have the “getting things done” skills they need and no well-designed keyboard will fix this fundamental problem. For individuals with executive function challenges, digital accessibility can be an opportunity or a barrier, depending on their ability to engage meaningfully with the tools provided. This disconnect underscores the necessity of executive function coaching as an integral part of accessibility efforts for students with EF challenges.
My presentation explores the interplay between executive function challenges and technology-based accessibility, arguing that true inclusion demands more than compliant design—it requires equipping students with the cognitive strategies to utilize accessible resources effectively.
I will show how EF coaching can empower students, how practical interventions can enhance their ability to plan, self-regulate, and succeed. Key topics include: - How AI, virtual learning, and remote education impact students with executive function challenges; the gap between accessible design and student access; strategies for incorporating formal and informal executive function coaching; the long-term benefits of integrating EF skill-building into digital inclusion initiatives. Access means usable, not just available.
Keypoints
- Executive function skills are essential for students to fully benefit from accessible digital learning tools.
- Accessibility alone isn't enough—students with executive function challenges need coaching.
- Providing needed executive function support ensures true inclusion and long-term success.
Disability Areas
Cognitive/Learning
Topic Areas
Faculty Development & Support, Other, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Neil Peterson
Neil Peterson is a social entrepreneur. He has served in a variety of leadership positions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. He was the CEO of the public transportation agencies in the Seattle, Oakland, and Los Angeles metropolitan regions; CEO of the largest toll road network in California; City Manager; and COO and CFO of a state’s Health and Human Services Agency where he was responsible for the state’s mental health programs and programs for the disabled. In the private sector, Peterson has served as CEO, COO and CFO of several companies; worked as a consultant for Booz, Allen & Hamilton, CH2M Hill and Transportation Solutions; founded companies, including Flexcar, now Zipcar, the first major car sharing company in the United States. In the non-profit sector he has served as Vice President of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation in addition to his efforts with the Edge Foundation. A frequent speaker and author of Embracing the Edge, Peterson and his two children have Executive Functioning challenges, specifically ADHD and dyslexia.