The Family Center on Technology and Disability

Technology Voices

Integrating Technology in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Perspective

In Technology Voices, our goal is to bring you balanced views from those working at the national, state, and local levels. To paraphrase the adage, where you stand is often driven by where you sit. This is especially true with respect to issues associated with technology use in the classroom. 

This month’s interviewee, Joshua Jenkins, a special education teacher in New Orleans, looks at two technology tools that are widely used throughout the country – one, a traditional word processor that has served students with disabilities for years; the other, the iPad, the tablet computer which many consider the hottest technology ticket in town.  In talking with FCTD, Mr. Jenkins makes the case for measured evaluation of both the old and the new.  He offers recommendations for iPad apps that he and his colleagues have found to be useful in classroom settings, while also expressing his concerns about the tablet's use. http://www.fctd.info/newsletters

Assistive Technology (AT) Resources

Explore our AT Resources database for information on assistive and instructional technology.   This week, our featured resource is Fun Educational Apps.  Created by a parent, the site reviews iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch applications. The range of listed software is enormous, with the reviews sorted by age (from 1 to 12+) and by specific categories (reading, math, science, etc.) to make searching simple. Free and low cost applications are featured, though costs vary widely across all the reviewed software. Giveaways are common as are sales from developers and both features have a specific tab for site visitors heading straight for the bargains.

2012 AT Resources CD-Rom

2012 Assistive Technology Resources CD-ROM!  Order one free copy or request a bulk order to distribute to others. To order cd's, please visit http://www.fctd.info/show/order_form.

Join the FCTD Network!

Let people throughout the U.S. know who you are and what you do. By joining the FCTD network, you'll make it easier for colleagues and consumers to find you through our searchable organization database.  You'll also automatically receive our monthly newsletter by email.  It's simple to do and, of course, it's free! Join the FCTD Network.

Sign up for our listserv.

Receive our free monthly newsletter and announcements (infrequent...no email overload from us.)   To register for our listserv, click here.

Assistive Technology in Action Video Series

FCTD and PACER Center are pleased to share our fully-captioned assistive technology awareness series, AT in Action. The videos are designed to strengthen awareness of AT devices that help individuals with disabilities participate fully in school, at home, and in the community. In the first video, Meet Sam, we meet a young man with cerebral palsy who, with the help of AT, is a successful college student, blogger, and sportsman. Meet Elle, introduces a young woman able to communicate with family, friends, and teachers with the help of AT. In our third video, engaging first grader Mason introduces us to technology that assists those with blindness/visual impairments. In our newest video, Meet Jared, we introduce a young man who, controls his computer using a sip and puff switch. We invite you to view and share this video with your colleagues and the families you serve. 

AT in Action - Isabel Necesita la Tecnología de Asistencia (Isabel Needs AT)

AT in Action -  Isabel Necesita la Tecnología de Asistencia.  In this story, you'll meet Marta, the mother of Isabel, a young girl with fine motor and learning disabilities. The video introduces viewers to assistive technology (AT) and takes them through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting during which AT is considered. The video is captioned in both Spanish and English and is "described" as well. We invite you to view and share this video with your colleagues and the families you serve.

Assistive Technology Solutions Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides visual examples of a range of AT products to help parents who are beginning their search for AT.  It includes basic questions to be considered when trying to identify AT devices that will best suit your child and illustrated examples of some of the options available.  Each example has an icon indicating whether it is high-tech, mid-tech or low-tech. Product vendors are also listed. Please note that vendors listed may not be the sole supplier for a particular product. View a pdf of the AT Solutions fact sheet.   

Now available in Spanish!  View the Spanish PDF.

Early Childhood and AT

This PPT presentation provides images of AT devices designed for young children and identifies the issues that  should be considered when selecting AT for them. Functional areas include: communication, mobility, and learning. This resource briefly discusses IDEA issues and the need to identify AT in IFSP and IEP plans. We invite you to use the resource with families, caregivers, educators, advocates, and disability professionals.    

Esta presentación es ahora también disponible en español.  Este PPT, Niños Pequeños y la Tecnología de Asistencia (TA), ofrece una amplia gama de ejemplos de tecnología de asistencia apropiados para los niños pequeños y discute los temas que deben ser considerados.