The Family Center on Technology and Disability
Assistive Technology Works
UDL Implementation: A Tale of Four Districts
From the CAST UDL Center website, UDL Implementation: A Tale of Four Districts recounts the efforts of four school districts to implement Universal Design for Learning. Each school district had a one-year grant and the support of UDL facilitators and CAST, Inc. to create and deploy an effective district plan. To help other school districts in the UDL implementation process, the CAST UDL Center website presents each case, describes UDL ...
Published: 2013 by Ganley, P. & Ralabate, P. , Reviewed: June 12, 2013
DIFability RAD
This blog was written by Catherine Burzio, a transition specialist, over a 7-month period in 2012. It has a lot of postings relevant to students with disabilities and the educators and others who work with them. The title of the blog is Differing Abilities, Resource a Day. Weekly postings contain links to a range of information, including legislation, technology, websites, and books. There is a post about the top ten ...
Published: 2012 by Catherine Burzio , Reviewed: April 26, 2013
thAutcast.com
thAutcast.com describes itself as "A Blogazine for the Aspergers and Autism Community". Author Landon Bryce is a former actor and teacher with self-diagnosed autism who currently works one-on-one with students on the autism spectrum in San Jose, California. The home page begins with "a video history of autism', a somewhat chilling but very informative look back to the '60s when Ivor Lovaas and Dan Moser were describing children with autism ...
Published: 2012 by Landon Bryce , Reviewed: August 13, 2012
Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Moving at the Speed of Creativity is a blog from Wesley Fryer (an education consultant and Apple Distinguished Educator). The blog posts focus on education technology, education policy, professional development, and web 2.0 topics and branch out to discuss a variety of education policies and best practices that are influenced by rapidly changing technology and access to multimedia in the classroom.
Published: 2011 by Wesley Fryer , Reviewed: October 10, 2011
Inclusion Press
Inclusion Press International and the Inclusion Network are based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and are associated with the Martha Forest Centre. Inclusion Press is the branch of Inclusion.com dedicated to parent and teacher-friendly materials on person-centered planning and inclusion policy. Inclusion Press offers books, DVDs, CD-ROMs and video resources. The resources are grouped by categories, including: staff development, inclusive schools, life stories, MAPS, PATH, Circle of Friends (Circle of Support), ...
Published: 2011 by Inclusion Press , Reviewed: September 19, 2011
Beyond ARRA: Put AT Purchases on Hold; Ramp up Training and Implementation ...
This Family Center on Technology & Disability newsletter discusses the need for technology planning and relationship building in school districts, among special educators and information technology (IT) professionals, before technology is purchased and put into use. The featured expert, Mr. Fred Tchang, Director, Assistive Technology Services, Advancing Opportunities, Ewing, New Jersey, uses the then-upcoming expiration of ARRA (American Reinvestment and Recovery Act) funding as an example. He encourages school districts ...
Published: 2011 by Thomas H. Allen , Reviewed: February 17, 2012
The Wrightslaw Way
Wrightslaw has found another successful route to reach out to families and education professionals. The Wrightslaw Way blog offers information, resources, and a legal perspective on thousands of special education topics. The blog posts news on recent court decisions, answers reader questions, and continues the Wrightslaw tradition of accessible and understandable legal resources, commentary, and insights into special education laws and advocacy.
Published: 2010 by Wrightslaw , Reviewed: November 10, 2010
AT Program News Blog
The AT Program News Blog is a newsletter created for State Assistive Technology Act Programs, Alternative Financing Programs, and their community partners. It is a network of similar minded organizations that are working to educate, gain access to assistive technology, and improve services with limited funding available. The ATPN receives partial funding through the NATTAP and provides a wide range of information and resources on assistive technology, legislative updates, and ...
Published: 2010 by Eliza Anderson , Reviewed: November 22, 2010
Pass It On Center
For the general AT user, this site can be most beneficial in the links to 'Find AT,' which allows one to search within one's state for used or refurbished AT devices which may be available for loan, rent or purchase. In addition, it is a website that will help reutilization centers to determine if they are using best practices. An online survey is available following the quality indicators for assistive ...
Published: 2010 by Pass It On Center , Reviewed: September 01, 2010
The Connected Classroom
The Connected Classroom is a blog devoted to education technology and policy, professional development, and the resources and support teachers need when using technology in the classroom. Written by a teacher, the blog includes videos, conference notes, and education technology resources.
Published: 2010 by K Hokanson , Reviewed: February 24, 2010
Equality Technology
The mission of the Equality Technology website is to "establish laws so that 'computers as a therapy for the seriously disabled' become recognized as a medical necessity." The site includes articles about computer use and advocating for technology as well as links to assistive devices, software, and resources. Equality Technology encourages users to check out the message board and advocate for computers as a medical necessity for people with disabilities ...
Published: 2009 by Bob Clay , Reviewed: September 17, 2010
Special Ed Justice
Jennifer Laviano writes a monthly newsletter on her blog site. Users can subscribe to the newsletter or go online to read her blogs. She writes about a variety of legal issues related to people with disabilities, especially children and adolescents. Topics have included legal aspects of IEP delivery, Assistive Technology, and Special Education law. There is a list of all categories included, plus links to related topics and a Twitter ...
Published: 2009 by Jennifer Laviano, Attorney at Law , Reviewed: February 24, 2010
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Web Site
This Web site mirrors ASHA‘s mission statement by providing quality services and information for professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, speech and hearing science, as well as advocating for people with communication disabilities. ASHA targets professionals, students, consumers, and family members. It is more useful to professionals and students than to consumers and family members. ASHA did make an effort to include primary and secondary consumers. There are over 1,000 files ...
Published: 2009 by American Speech-Language and Hearing Association , Reviewed: May 11, 2009
Your Child with Learning Difficulties
This section of the greatschools.net website provides a wealth of information for parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities. It offers strategies for use in the classroom and at home and discusses a range of AT tools for math, reading, organization, writing, and learning in general. The site is well-organized and easy to navigate. It includes a discussion bulletin board for parents and educators.
Published: 2009 , Reviewed: March 04, 2009
Parents Helping Parents Website
This website provides information on parenting children with disabilities. It also lobbies for membership and donations. There is a great amount of information concerning early intervention, identification, appropriate education, and support for parenting. The material is appropriate and beneficial for both parents and professionals.
Published: 2009 , Reviewed: December 30, 2008
CADRE: Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, state departments of education are required to implement mediation guidelines. The National Center on Dispute Resolution (CADRE) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The CADRE website offers many resources and links to assist parents, LEA‘s, administrators, coordinators, and any person or professional who is looking for another step before due process. There is a searchable database ...
Published: 2009 , Reviewed: January 07, 2009
National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB)
The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness assists families and local and state agencies to improve the quality of early intervention, education, and transition services to children and young adults who are deaf-blind. NCDB works to ensure collaborative partnerships for meeting the unique needs of children and young adults who are deaf-blind and to support their families. The information found on the website is available to families and service providers who serve ...
Published: 2009 by NCDB , Reviewed: March 04, 2009
My Point of View Blog
Written by AT professional Jeannette Van Houten, My Point of View is primarily focused on AT issues, conferences, and commentary or reviews of useful devices for clients with disabilities. The blog includes an extensive archive and topics vary widely (education technology integration, technology as a tool, using technology vs. wasting technology, educational toys, the role of technology in daily life, etc). My Point of View is a good place to ...
Published: 2009 by Jeannette Van Houten , Reviewed: December 28, 2009
NICHCY: National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities ...
NICHCY has recently updated and enhanced its website. It continues to be an extremely well organized source of information on: * disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth * Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) * research-based information on effective educational practices. The NICHCY website is organized for discrete audiences, including families and community members, early intervention providers, educators, and state agencies. It provides access to a monthly newsletter, blog, ...
Published: 2009 , Reviewed: March 04, 2009
Alliance for Technology Access - Web Site
This Web site describes the Alliance for Technology Access and provides numerous links to resources such as the ATA centers around the country, and many vendors of assistive technology products. It also provides funding information, discussion sections and more. It is a wonderful resource for anyone who is or works with people with disabilities.
Published: 2008 by Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) , Reviewed: May 11, 2009