Meet our Speakers

Trevor Boland is an experienced Assistive Technology Officer working in Higher Education supporting Students with disabilities. He previously lectured in the Access programme for non-traditional students in TU Dublin.

Trevor was previously the Digital and eLearning Officer in AHEAD and has been involved in the National rollout of the UDL Badge with UCD and the Teaching and Learning Forum. 

Sarah is an Assistive Technology Facilitator specialising in digital accessibility and co-design. She leads the CHAT Community Hub, bringing together diverse stakeholders to explore inclusive technology through peer-led learning, shared expertise, and community-driven innovation.

I am Study Guidance Facilitator at Munster Technological University (MTU), where I support students in developing academic skills and using technology to enhance their learning. With a background in teaching language and communication across second level, Further Education, and Higher Education, I bring a learner-centred approach to fostering student engagement, confidence, and independence.

Shahzad Yazdanpanah is a Master of Education graduate from Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada, recognized for her academic excellence and leadership in advancing inclusive education. With over a decade of teaching experience, she is committed to creating learning environments where all students feel seen, heard, and valued. Her research explores accessibility, disability justice, and the role of speech-to-text technologies in supporting diverse learners. As a graduate research assistant, teaching assistant, mentor, and TRU Writing Centre tutor, she has supported students and contributed to equity-driven initiatives across the university. Guided by both professional and lived experience, Shahzad is dedicated to advancing education as a space of equity, dignity, and belonging.

Beth Stark is a consultant for schools and learning organizations, specializing in inclusive learning systems, UDL, accessibility, professional learning, and curriculum design. With sixteen years of IB international school experience and a Master's in Special Education, she helps leaders and teachers build learner-centred systems of support and design for variability from the start. She is an ISTE certified educator, a CPACC certified accessibility professional, and a certified teacher of learners who are blind and low vision. Based in Dresden, Germany, by way of the United States.

Dorian is an experienced Technical Trainer with a background in software, systems, and accessibility tools. He delivers practical, inclusive training that supports people in building confidence and independence with technology. His work spans corporate environments and assistive technology for people with sight loss: Focusing on clear, usable, hands-on learning.

Aundrea Hubble is the Assistive Technology Coordinator in UCD Access and Lifelong Learning where she has worked for the past two years and one year within this role. She is currently finishing her MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology and is particularly interested in supporting students with assistive technology throughout their educational journey fostering confidence, autonomy, and independence that they can take with them into the workplace and beyond. Aundrea’s role includes evaluating, implementing and managing AT for students at UCD to ensure they can participate fully in the life of the University and realise their academic, professional, career and personal goals.

Jade McCormack is a visually impaired DIGI Coach with Fighting Blindness, where she provides one-to-one peer-supported coaching to people learning to use assistive technology. With plenty of lived experience using tools such as VoiceOver, JAWS, and other accessibility supports in daily life, Jade is passionate about helping others build confidence and independence through technology, which is why she enjoys her role so much.

Jade also sits on the board of INBAF, the Irish National Braille and Alternative Formats Authority, where she manages social media and communications, ensuring information is accessible to all, as well as taking minutes during meetings.

Having worked alongside Patrick and the other DIGI coaches for almost a year, Jade brings empathy, knowledge, and encouragement to everything she does. Outside of work, she is a proud mum to a busy six-year-old daughter and enjoys audiobooks, music, cooking, and supporting others to achieve their goals.

Ceridwen is the principal architect of ATscale's public voice, leading the effort to shape a new narrative for assistive technology and strategically position the organization within the global development and humanitarian space.

Bringing over 20 years of strategic leadership and communications expertise, with International NGOs and the UN system, Ceridwen has a proven ability to translate complex information into compelling narratives that resonate across diverse audiences. Her extensive experience includes managing high-profile communications, advising executive leadership on strategy, and leading global advocacy on critical issues from climate change and health, to water, sanitation and hygiene.

She is an experienced and motivated global advocate with a passion for both developing and implementing campaign, advocacy and engagement strategies and building the capacity of others to undertake effective advocacy. At ATscale, she designed and delivered the landmark Unlock The Everyday public-facing awareness campaign, and introduced World Day for Assistive Technology.

Ceridwen holds an MSc in Development Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and an MA in French Language and Literature from the University of Glasgow.

I am Ana Geppert, a PhD student at Maynooth University, where my research focuses on Assistive Technology & Sport, with a particular interest in everyday AT and engagement in sport at all levels. Alongside my academic work, I am passionate about outdoor sports, particularly rock-climbing and snowboarding.

Mark Jones is a Digital Technical Officer and Developer at the National College of Art & Design (NCAD) in Dublin, where he has worked for 18 years across Fine Art Media, Communication Design, and Interaction Design. For the past two years his focus has been entirely on assistive technology, developing tools that reduce barriers for neurodivergent students in further and higher education.

He is the developer of AssisT — a free, open-source Chrome extension that brings text-to-speech with word highlighting, speech-to-text, visual comfort overlays, AI-powered study tools, and customisable typography directly into the browser. AssisT requires no account, processes no personal data, and works across Canvas, Moodle, Google Classroom, and every other site a student visits. It is available on the Chrome Web Store at no cost, with no institutional licence required.

AssisT is EUPL-1.2 licensed and designed to stay free.

Emma M. Smith is an Associate Professor of Digital Health Technology in the School of Allied Health at the University of Limerick, and a leading expert in assistive technology policy. She is the author of the ARISE framework and ATA-C in Ireland, and works with the WHO as a consultant on digital and assistive technologies and workforce optimization.

Ashling is a Digital Skills Tutor with An Cosán, Ireland’s largest community education organisation. Her work focuses on digital inclusion, accessible learning and community-based digital literacy initiatives that support adults experiencing barriers to digital participation.
She has contributed to the development of the Get Yourself Online campaign, including DigComp-aligned eLearning modules, Digital Stepping Stones and Ireland’s first Digital Literacy Community of Practice. Her work also includes supporting Digital Champions initiatives, embedding Universal Design for Learning and promoting the use of everyday Assistive Technology across community, Access and Further Education settings.
Ashling is passionate about empowering learners and communities to build confidence, participation and digital skills through inclusive and accessible approaches to learning.

Leah Kane is an Education Technologist working on the Inclusive Learning Project. Prior to working with National Learning Network and Maynooth University, Leah worked in Dublin City University's Ideas Lab in the National Institute for Digital Learning. She has worked across a broad range of disciplines, using her media skills to digitally enhance the learning experience for learners. Leah has a passion for education and inclusive design in e-learning. Leah has also previously worked and volunteered in DCU's Access service for many years during her time at university. Leah holds an MSc in Emerging Media and has a BA in English Literature and Media Studies from Dublin City University. Leah is currently pursuing a Higher Diploma in Interaction Design at DCU.

Niamh Toland and Daniel Moses are assistive technology users and advocates, sharing lived experience of navigating education and career pathways. Through AT Passport 2.0, they support a user-led approach to accessing technology, promoting independence, confidence, and better outcomes for individuals.