Tools for Teaching and Collaboration:

 Special Education and Disability Resources

                    Assistive Technology and                     Universal Design for Learning

ATTO: Assistive Technology Training Online  

Links on this site take the user to training on many aspects of assistive technology, and it's free! 

 Digital Content Toolkit

A site that provides information, support, tools, ideals, models, research, and a community of practice for educators interested in using flexible computer technologies to reach and teach diverse learners, including texts, sounds, and videos. 

Web-based Text to

The University of Texas has developed this chart comparing text to speech tools available on the internet.  Information provided for each tool includes the languages it can handle, the platform it’s designed for (Mac Vs PC), trial version or interactive demo availability, whether it requires a download, whether there is a charge for it, availability of different voices for the same language, and adjustable features.

The Learning Center 

The Special Education Technology of British Columbia's website provides links to ways technology can support improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

Autism Spectrum

10 Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

Ellen Notbohm knows that every child with autism will be at a different point on the spectrum. And, just as importantly – every parent, teacher and caregiver will be at a different point on the spectrum of understanding. Child or adult, each will have a unique set of needs. These ten things help us consider what those needs might be.

10 Things Every Student with Autism Wishes You Knew

Ellen Notbohm speaks to educators from the perspective of an autistic child and explains the many sensory assaults experienced on a daily basis in the typical classroom. This information should have an impact on teachers, parents and anyone who interacts with an autistic child.

Autism Column Archive

Ellen Notbohm writes informed and helpful columns on all aspects of autism and the autism spectrum.  Her columns are archived on this site..

“A teenager’s view of ADD”

This is a straight from the teen’s mouth description of what it feels like to have ADHD and deal with the expectations and exasperations of those around you.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Sign Language: Fact & Fancy
This is the online version of a booklet created by Gallaudet College.

Test your fingerspelling skills
This site provides photographic slides of fingerspelled words; the user types in the word spelled, and can then check accuracy of recognition.

The ASL Browser 

This site links to hundreds of video demonstrations of ASL word symbols

Handspeak: American Sign Language Dictionary Online 

Just what the title says!  

100 Basic ASL Signs

This site provides signs in context – the whole person signing, not just his or her hands.

Online Notetaker Training

The Rochester Institute of Technology provides comprehensive, interactive, and free online training for notetakers.  Although developed for college students who take notes for other students, the course is relevant for adults taking notes for students in K-12 programs.  The three modules take about 90 minutes to complete.  An accompanying   Notetaker Coordinator's handbook suggests selection criteria, policies, and practices for using notetakers effectively.

How to Use a TTY

This page provides a step by step explanation of the TTY system (technology that supports telephone communication with a deaf or hard of hearing person)

Diagnostic Tools

LEARNet

This site developed by Dr. Mark Ylvisaker for the New York State Brain Injury Association is not yet fully launched, but one element, the LEARNet Problem-Solving System, is functional.  Click on any of the listed problems to view a set of possible explanations for the problem. Then click on any of the possible explanations to view suggestions for exploring that possible explanation.  Embedded in the system are tutorials explaining technical and educational terms.  Although created to address the needs of children with brain injury, the system is relevant to a much larger group of children, including but not limited to those with learning disabilities, ADHD, and behavioral issues.  Don't forget to click on the Evaluation link to give Dr. Ylvisaker feedback to improve the site.

Miscellaneous

SpeechTeach

This site has been developed to provide speech therapy resources for parents and professionals supporting children with speech and learning difficulties for example dyspraxia, apraxia and autism. Other areas of articulation, literacy and late speaking are also covered together with links and reviews for other websites specializing in these areas.   It’s British, so you must accommodate to the different British spelling.

Gates to Adventure

Gates to Adventure is a series of e-Learning transition modules created by PEPNet to assist high school students and first-year college students with their successful transition from high school to college. Although developed for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, much of it is appropriate for other students as well.  It is easy to read and attractive, and only requires a registration online to enter.

Special Connections

Connecting teachers to strategies that help students with special needs successfully access the general education curriculum.  Each topic area (instruction, collaboration, assessment, and behavior plans) has links to teacher tools, case studies, resources, and online collaboration sites.

Response to Intervention

Jim Wright’s Response to

Jim Wright has collected a terrific set of free information and resources for schools that want to implement response to intervention.

National Center for Learning Disability

This page provides information for parents as well as the law and regulation that that governs its use as a tool in determining learning disability.

How Progress Monitoring Assists Decision Making in a Response to Instruction Model

This brief paper gives a description of the use of progress monitoring in RtI as well as some specific examples of children’s programs. 

Universal Design for Learning and RtI

This article by staff from the Center for Applied Special Technology provide a thoughtful discuss of how Universal Design for Learning fits into the model of appropriate and responsive instruction in an RtI model.

Tools for working with parents