Professional Development

Ongoing learning activities that professionals undertake to maintain and improve their skills throughout their careers. For accessibility professionals and special educators, professional development includes workshops, conferences, online courses, peer mentoring, and participation in communities of practice focused on assistive technology and inclusive practices. Research indicates that informal professional development through social networks and communities of practice may be more effective for building AT proficiency than formal training alone, particularly for professionals who work in isolation and need ongoing support to keep pace with evolving technology.