The Family Center on Technology and Disability

Welcome to the FCTD resource review database. Hundreds of assistive and instructional technology resources have been identified, reviewed, and annotated for your reference. Direct links to each resource have been provided in most cases. You can target your search by entering a key word or phrase in the search box on the right side of the page, or you can scan through the resources below. The filters beneath the search box allow you to further customize your research by topic, disability, and material type. We are constantly adding new resources to our database, so we hope you’ll return regularly. If you have suggestions for additional resources, please contact us at fctd@aed.org.

NCI Closed Captioning

Closed Captioning and associated technologies of subtitling/translation, described video and internet captioning, are clearly described on this web site, which is supported by the National Captioning Institute, Inc. (NCI). The downloadable brochure (using Adobe Acrobat) offers an overview of the subject with contact information and considerable details for those wishing to order the service. The website is well organized with uncluttered windows and menus showing choices for more detailed descriptions. ...

Published: 2004 by National Captioning Institute, Inc , Reviewed: January 05, 2009

Best Practices: Merging Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Early ...

This paper provides: (1) strategies that facilitate inclusion of special education students into regular classrooms; (2) ideas using activity-based interaction; and (3) suggestions of physical arrangement of classrooms to aid in student learning. It appears that what is shared in this paper could be used in any classroom environment.

Published: 2004 by Norris, D. , Reviewed: March 09, 2009

Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits Journal

In the autumn of 2004, ATIA published the first issue of a new AT journal entitled "Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits." This peer-reviewed, cross-disability, multidisciplinary journal focused on articles exclusively "related to the outcomes and benefits of assistive technology (AT) across the lifespan." Submissions were designed to cater to several audiences and were broken into two categories; Voices from the Field (professionals involved in AT service delivery, family members and/or ...

Published: 2004 by Phil Parette, Editor, David Diketer, Assoc. Editor , Reviewed: June 30, 2006

It‘s About T.I.M.E.! (Technology Improving the Methods of Education)

This is a short article describing research that supports technology integration in classrooms, designed to improve student outcomes. Research studies are cited indicating that technology-enriched classrooms improve higher order thinking and social skills. Additionally, group-based learning assists students in the integration process. Instructor concerns that technology integration into the classroom means more work are addressed; learning how to use the technology as a teaching tool in the long run does ...

Published: 2004 by Willie Ennis, III and Shannon Mocanu , Reviewed: October 20, 2005

IHMC CmapTools version 3.8

The home page for this website gives information about this free software; the user must then download it, which requires an email address, first and last name, country, organization and name, and website. The software allows the user to construct, navigate, and share Concept Maps (graphic organizers). It may be compared to other commercial software products such as Inspiration and Spark-Space. For those who have familiarity with graphic organizers, this ...

Published: 2004 by Institute for Human and Machine Cognition , Reviewed: October 20, 2005

Facts About Telecommunications Relay Services

Updated in 2004, this is a very brief, but concise and informative article describing a variety of telecommunications relay services. Included are voice carry over (VCO), hearing carry over (HCO), and text telephone (TTY). Also included are a good number of national relay numbers for interstate and international use.

Published: 2004 by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) , Reviewed: March 09, 2009

STAMINA Typing Tutor

Stamina Typing Tutor is a free download that provides an introduction to the free Stamina system plus a directory of other free and Shareware typing tutors. It is functional only within the Windows Operating System95/NT. Through a virtual keyboard the user can try different finger placements with help from illuminated keys on the keyboard. Multiple phrases in different languages are available. A timer to track improvement in typing skills is ...

Published: 2003 by TypingSoft.com , Reviewed: September 02, 2010

Does AAC impede natural speech? -- and other fears

This article addresses the common fears of parents and sometimes educators regarding the use of AAC with children who have speech impairments. Often it is believed that initiating use of AAC will interfere with a child‘s ability to learn to speak. This article argues that, to the contrary, children who are denied the ability to communicate in any form will be affected cognitively, socially, and emotionally. A table displays the ...

Published: 2003 by Judy Haven , Reviewed: July 09, 2009

Misunderstood Minds

This highly recommended website is a component of the PBS documentary Misunderstood Minds and is an excellent resource whether or not it is used with the video and multimedia library. The website features stories of five children with learning disabilities and learning differences and discusses attention, reading, writing, and math. One of the most interesting portions of this website is the simulation of various learning disabilities so the reader may ...

Published: 2003 by PBS , Reviewed: April 10, 2004

FM Systems Help Children Learn

This article was written in response to an FCC directive from Congress to sell the radio band that was set aside for FM systems used by deaf and hard of hearing students and adults. It includes personal stories of parents and children and the impact FM systems have had on their lives at school, work, home, and in the community. The article concludes with a request, and instructions, for other ...

Published: 2003 by Paula Rosenthal , Reviewed: December 08, 2008

ADDed Reality

This website was designed for parents, students and educators and provides information, agency contacts, pamphlets and tapes on issues regarding special education, parenting, disabilities and general education. The site began in 1998 and currently includes information on Asperger Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, Dysgraphia, Gifted and Talented/Learning Disabled, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and grant resources. Further sections on Attention Deficit Disorder and Technology appear to be under construction. It provides ...

Published: 2003 by Evelyn Azbell , Reviewed: April 10, 2004

Tech Advocacy Crucial for OT Clients

This article discusses the necessity of advocacy by occupational therapists on behalf of their clients so they may have computer access. Ms. Struck, the author, discusses the prevalence of the use of computers in education. Distance learning, web-based courses, digital libraries, electronic publishing and e-books are common tools for teaching and learning. The author says that occupational therapists must consider whether their clients have basic access to a computer and ...

Published: 2003 by Miriam Struck, OTR/L, ATP , Reviewed: March 10, 2009

The Ruler Game

This website uses a game method to teach you how to read a ruler. You can play the game using a standard English (or Imperial) ruler, which is divided into inches. The site mentions metric rulers but there are no metric ruler options available for the game. The preferences option allows you to change the increments of the ruler from whole numbers to 1/16th inch increments as you progress through ...

Published: 2003 by Ricky Spears , Reviewed: November 13, 2007

Assistive Technology and Taxes: Not a Perfect Fit

A useful primer for those who purchase assistive technology equipment and are considering the tax implications of the equipment they have purchased. The article offers encouragement that AT equipment can indeed be tax deductible but that neither tax forms nor guidelines contain the words "assistive technology." To claim an AT device as deductible, the device must fit under an existing IRS category such as medical expenses, work expenses or miscellaneous ...

Published: 2003 by Mitch Jeserich , Reviewed: August 08, 2005

Funding of Assistive Technology: The Public Schools Special Education ...

This booklet focuses on funding sources or tools to ensure that children with disabilities receive assistive technology. The reader will get a working knowledge of laws, regulations, and interpretations of laws as they pertain to the school‘s obligation. Information valuable to parents, school personnel, advocates, attorneys and AT professionals who work with children. Readers will become of aware of what student rights are and the laws and regulations available to ...

Published: 2003 by Hager, R. M. , Reviewed: December 08, 2008

Preparing Teachers For Assistive Technology Using Online Learning: A ...

In a remarkable discussion of Virtual Assistive Technology University (VATU)and the effectiveness of online learning for educators seeking professional development in assistive technology, Kuech and Kimball dissected the impact of social learning and the interactive components of successful online courses. The authors took time to evaluate several of the VATU online courses, particularly idea exchange strategies and project completion, as they investigated the nature of effective learning in a world ...

Published: 2003 by Robert K. Kuech, Walter H. Kimball , Reviewed: August 25, 2005

accesselearning

With the increase of distance learning and secondary schools offering online courses, the demand for creating these materials in an accessible format is growing. There is, however, a degree of awareness and training that needs to occur in order to make the materials accessible. Accesslearning is an online resource and training module that helps anyone interested in creating accessible formats. It is a ten-module tutorial that offers information, instructional techniques, ...

Published: 2003 by Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education Project (GRADE), IDET Communication Inc , Reviewed: March 23, 2006

Dysgraphia: Learning Disabilities in Writing

The article describes the warning signs of dysgraphia as well as strategies to help individuals cope with this reading disorder. The strategies are aimed at early writers, young students and teens and adults. The writer emphasizes that the difficulties caused by the disorder can change throughout a child’s life. The article is comprehensive yet concise and clear. As a primer, its contents are particularly appropriate for parents and families of ...

Published: 2003 by National Center on Learning Disabilities (NCLD) , Reviewed: December 05, 2008

Child Assistive Technology

This article was designed for parents of a child with Huntington’s Disease and provides a great deal of information specific to HD. It also contains general assistive technology information and can be useful to many others. The article begins by providing a definition of assistive technology and discussing the difference between AT devices and AT services. The author emphasizes the importance of beginning early with assistive technology to receive the ...

Published: 2003 by Dr. Kim Rutherford , Reviewed: March 09, 2009

Assistive Technology Funding Search Tips

This report refers to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) in endeavoring to search for funds for assistive technology. It offers practical and systematic tips including: know your rights under disability and education laws; become your own best advocate; know your needs specific to the technology you are looking to purchase; ask for a loaner to trial; document how the device works, who you spoke to, etc.; learn the rules of ...

Published: 2003 , Reviewed: April 10, 2004