IHAT Center puts accessibility front and center

ECU's College of Education prepares students across disciplines to embed inclusive practices and accessibility

hree individuals wearing matching purple T-shirts with the words “Technology” and additional text printed on them are in an office setting. One person is seated at a desk with a computer, keyboard, and printer, while the other two are standing nearby. The desk has office supplies, and shelves with various items are visible in the background. The room has white walls and a window letting in natural light. — The IHAT Center employs several education majors. Pictured are student staff manager Taylor Carle, Courtney White and Malena Chapman.

The Irene Howell Assistive Technology (IHAT) Center, housed in ECU’s College of Education, serves as a leading model for advancing inclusive practices in education and daily life with individuals with disabilities. Established through an estate gift from Irene and Gordon Howell of Goldsboro, its original vision was to advance special education teacher knowledge about accessibility and assistive technologies. Today, the center offers online professional development modules that prepare not only education majors, but students across disciplines, helping inclusivity become a lived practice for all Pirates.

Director Dr. Laura King emphasized that the modules benefit all majors since everyone will interact and engage with individuals with disabilities throughout their lives. Disability happens across the lifespan and impacts every part of students and families lives. Understanding how to support functional needs that result from disability helps all stakeholders in educational, work, community and home environments. While some universally designed technologies — such as speech to text — are widely used, they can be essential for success for those with specific needs. Special education assistant professor Dr. Kristin Burnette joined the IHAT Center’s leadership this fall.

“I am excited to engage in the IHAT Center’s mission and to work collaboratively to promote accessibility and inclusive practices across our region and state,” she said.

As a teaching and service unit, the IHAT Center provides hands-on training modules embedded in coursework for undergraduate and graduate students. These modules introduce universal design principles, inclusive practices and assistive technologies, combining theory with applied learning. Students gain practical experience with accessibility tools and applications, preparing them to meet diverse needs in classrooms and workplaces.

Student staff support the center by grading submissions, providing feedback, and documenting certificates of completion for course credit. Dr. Bethann Fine, a faculty member in instructional technology, said, “The IHAT Center has become such an important part of EDTC 4001. It really reflects the strong collaboration we have across the COE and within our community. Through this partnership, my students get hands-on experience with accessibility and inclusive design while also learning directly from specialists working in special education. It’s meaningful, practical learning that helps them understand what effective support looks like for all learners.”

Unlike other online trainings, IHAT modules require students to demonstrate and document practical skills through use with personal technologies and assistive applications. Assessments are aligned with content and move beyond knowledge checks, requiring practical application and reflection. Staff provide personalized feedback, helping students build confidence and adaptability. In 2024-2025, nearly 900 Pirates completed more than 1,800 hands-on learning experiences, strengthening their readiness to support inclusive education and professional practice.

Student reflections from recent modules highlight three key themes:

Accessibility tools foster equity and belonging by supporting independence, dignity and inclusion.
The successful integration of AT, especially AAC for communication, required shared training and support, with caregivers, teachers and peers modeling consistent use.
Assistive technologies must be integrated into teaching as a cornerstone of lesson planning and advocacy, ensuring no student is left behind.

“There’s a lot of tools now that I have in my toolkit to present to students,” said Mendy Dewees, a middle grades and science education major. “I believe that building inclusion into the lesson plan from the beginning will help to build an inclusive classroom and will help students begin to think inclusively for themselves and for each other.”

Kaylyn Causey, an elementary education major, agreed, adding, “My goals are to work in public elementary schools. And when you are a teacher, you’re going to have a variety of students. Having this toolkit is going to be helpful. I really enjoyed reviewing this course and learning more about this.”

The IHAT Center continues to demonstrate how accessibility can be embedded as both a value and a practice across disciplines. By combining vision, hands‑on training, and authentic student reflection, the center equips future professionals to see inclusive design, accessibility and assistive technology not as an add‑on, but as a cornerstone of inclusive education. Its impact reaches beyond classrooms, preparing ECU students to advocate for equity and belonging wherever their careers take them.