Biography

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Brian R. Bryant, Ph.D. serves as a Research Professor in the Department of Special Education and Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at The University of Texas at Austin (UT). BrianÂ’s interest in assistive technology (AT) began when he served as the Director of the Office for Students with Disabilities at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Several of the students Brian served ay FAU were AT users, and they served as excellent tutors. While at FAU, Brian helped raise money to better equip the office with a variety of AT devices. Upon moving back to Texas, Brian was hired as TexasÂ’ Tech Act Project Director at UT. During his time on the job, Brian helped create the College of EducationÂ’s Assistive and Instructional Technology Lab, for which he continues to serve as Faculty Co-Coordinator. Over his career, Brian has written numerous articles and book chapters on AT, with applications across disabilities and the lifespan. He is co-author with his wife, Dr. Diane Pedrotty Bryant, of Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities, now in its second edition. Of particular relevance to this session is BrianÂ’s work with the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). As co-author of AAIDDs Supports Intensity Scale, Brian has examined AT with respect to its capacity to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disability. Working with colleagues from AAIDD, Brian edited a special series for the Journal of Special Education Technology on AT and support provision. BrianÂ’s research focus is on educational and support needs for individuals with disabilities, and AT applications across the lifespan.