Resources

List of Assistive Technology Resources: [] [|www.dati.org]

1. This is a website for delaware students to gain access to the assistive technology they need to be successful in school. Donna

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/assistivedevices.html here is a good website for assistive tech, it has a FAQ sections and easily organized alphabetically. enjoy Brian

http://www.rehabtool.com/at.html

Rehab tool is a website that is all about assistive technology and the categories contained within it. It lists and describes the different types of AT devices such as communication aids, daily living aids, and mobility aids to assist our students. This website is accessible for the general public. ~Kristin

http://www.sparckidsat.org/Showcases/Showcases.html This website is geared for pre-school aged children. There are free software downloads that are available for anyone to try. The website offers writing and art assistive technology.-Katie (1)

http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/toc.html Contains a wealth of information about using AT with young people. http://www.closingthegap.com/ Has tons of links for providers of assistive technology devices. - Bill

Here is a web site based out of Rhode Island on assessment and selection of assistive technology. -Brian []

http://opendoorworld.com/organizations.shtml This website has a large alphabetized list of organizations for assistive technology - melissa

1.Jamie Taggart: http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=180440 This website discusses Assistive Listening Devices, which amplify sounds and bring them directly to the ear. FM systems use radio broadcast technology. Infrared systems utilize light-based technology. Wide area loop systems utilize electromagnetic fields to deliver sound. Each ALD has 3 components: microphone, transmission technology, and a device for receiving signals and bringing sound to the ear. They can be utilized by anyone who is hearing impaired or of normal hearing to amplify sounds. They can be used by anyone to minimize background noises, reduce the effect of disance between the sound source and the person with a hearing loss, and to override poor acoustics such as echo. ALDS can be used for entertainment, employment, education, and for home or personal reasons. Furthermore, ALDS can be used by hearing aid users and cochlear implantees as well as those individuals who do not use cochlear implants or hearing aids.

melissa - here is a web site I just found about finding $ for assistive technology http://www.nockonline.org/

here is a web site that can help find the product for a specific need with a matrix http://www.techmatrix.org/index.aspx

I would really like to try this site. It is not specifically assistive technology, but as a teacher this may be useful to get resources. http://www.donorschoose.org/teacher/index.html Let me know if it works! -melissa

Jessica - 1. http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html - This website contains useful background information at AT for families and hints and tips for parents. It defines AT in terms that parents of children with disabilities can understand, as well answers questions as to when assistive technology is appropriate. 2. http://www.educationtechpoints.org/manuals-materials/hey-can-i-try-that-1 - A handbook that you can download for free (in either English or Spanish). It is written for teens to self-evaluate themselves and decide which areas an assistive device could help them with. 3. http://www.marilynfriend.com/udl.htm - The goal of this website - "Co-Teaching Connection" by Dr. Marilyn Friend - is to provide useful resources for educators who want to know more about co-teaching. The website accepts lesson plans (Elementary and Middle/High School) and gives credit to the authors. There is also a page to with questions and answers regarding co-teaching problems teachers frequently have when trying to reach all students. The website also has a 'helpful links' page that contains a link to many relevant Universal Design websites. 4. [] - FREE downloads are available from this website in many curricular areas (math, arts, technology, english, science...). I could see both parents and teachers using this website to either provide more practice or teach new concepts. It seems pretty easy to download and use these software programs, and of course the fact that they are free is appealing. 5. http://www.usability.gov/plan/index.html - this site is dedicated to conducting usability surveys to make sure the needs of particular groups are being met when using a website. I could see those developing websites using the tools on the site to make sure they are reaching their audience, as well as audience members with specific needs using the tools to analyze existing websites. 6. http://www.usernomics.com/news/2009/05/jakob-nielsen-critiques-twitter.html - I like the quote on the top of this page for June 23, 2009: "The design of good houses requires an understanding of both the construction materials and the behavior of real humans" (Peter Morville, 2002 (via interaction-design.org)). This website allows users to review experiences of other users regarding usability, design, and human-technology interactions. Companies could benefit from reading the articles and noting what users liked and didn't like about various technologies.

=
7. http://www.nsnet.org/atc/tools/contents.html - This website is called: Assistive Technology Tools, Tips, and Tricks. It is written in friendly language and I could see it being useful for parents and teachers alike. On each page containing learning/education related problems/issues there is a Learner Profile, Common Issues, Student Outcomes, all relating to how to use AT to overcome such issues.=====

=
8. [] - this is actually a BLOG by the Virginia Dept of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Center. It is geared to AT providers and is interactive so individual’s can post questions. It is updated daily. There is a list of links for various categories that pertain to AT, such as writing, reading, math, employment, transition, and more. I’m going to add this one to my bookmarks!=====

=
9. [] - this website features newsworthy articles related to AT, and also has a link (“Products”) that reviews many different AT products. The reviews could prove helpful for individuals in the market for an AT device, or someone that is just curious what AT is all about. I especially like the “News” link, as it has up-to-date newsworthy information related to AT that is written in plain language and each article is even a bit humorous. Who says AT has to be boring?! Also on their website, you can VOTE for the best AT products, vendors, and projects out there.=====

=
10. [] - this is another BLOG, called No Limits to Learning. It is updated daily. This blog is for posts and comments on children, disabilities, assistive technology and education. The author of the blog welcomes thoughts, questions and opinions. It seems almost like an online support group, and also contains relevant information concerning funding, laws, devices, other AT resources, and more.=====

http://www.jumpstart.com/?pid=googpd&cid=jumpstart%20kindergarten&gclid=CKakwO6Dj5sCFQIfswodqjR9nQ This is an early childhood program to help children develop essential skills for reading and math. There are demo's available for anyone to try.-Katie(2)

Listservs QIAT Listserv - A mailing list for assistive technology. This is a great place to ask questions or just lurk. If you sign up, select digest (regular) or you will receive a lot of e-mail! []

Adapted Toys [|How to make an adapted toy]

2.Jamie Taggart: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te7assist.htm This link is entitled Assistive Technology to Meet K-12 Student Needs. I thought this was a good site because it defines assistive technology and then introduces a table with various devices that can be used in the regular classroom for students who may need them. It provides a list of AT devices for vision, communication, access, hearing, and learning and studying. I think it is a good resource if a teacher needs ideas on what devices would be appropriate for certain students. The link can be useful for general ed teachers, special educators, administrators, students, parents, etc. This website pertains to people who are looking for AT devices to use for their students, another individual, a child, or for themselves.

Donna- 2. [] This is a website which offers resources to guide families in determining what assistive technology is available for their special needs child.

Brian- This web site/ article is for teachers, parents, and students. It is accessible to everyone. It claims that assistive tech would be used minimally in the general education classroom with the UDL framework. It seems that it is more instructional technology based rather then assistive. []

3. Jamie Taggart: http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/index.php I found this neat website that deals with AT in the classroom. When you open it up it gives an overview of AT. After you read the overview, over on the left are different links. I thought it was a great website because the various links included information on: defining concepts, basic technologies, AT & IDEA, primary usage, device selection, and common trends and issues associated with AT. Scroll through the various links and you will be exposed to a vast amount of information. This link is useful for anyone interested in obtaining information on AT such as teachers, parents, students, etc. It is a good site for anyone who wants to find out more information on different AT devices and common trends associated with AT such as assessment trends, cultural and family trends, Universal design trends, and training, funding, and maintenance issues.

Kristin - Tots - N - Tech - This website is from ASU and focuses on Toddlers and assistive technology. This website has research, publications, a newsletter, and resources to help educators who work with toddlers and preschool age children. The Ideas to share section is particularly valuable to early childhood educators who work with students who need asssistive technology devices. It has directions on how to make assistive devices for both functional and different activities such as a floating communication board, adaptive toys, etc.

4. Jamie Taggart: http://www.atsolutions.biz//index.html I found this website about Assistive Technology Solutions. I thought it was an interesting website to put up because it provides links to various services for individuals with disabilities as well as local, state, and national organizations that were established to inform people about various AT devices. Assistive Technology Solutions works with people of all sorts of ages to help them find the AT device to best meet their need. AT Solutions not only identifies appropriate devices for individuals with disabilities but also provides evalutaions, custom designs, and installations. This website provides useful information to anyone interested in attaining information about AT solutions.

5. Jamie Taggart: http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Content&ID=87 I liked this link because it provides a picture of the device, the solution, and a description of the device. The pictures can be enlarged to allow the viewer to see a bigger, closer up picture of the AT device. There are also additional links on the side that provide information on communications/media, 508 tools and resources, AT showcases, Emergency planning, and contact information. This website provides useful information for anyone interested in attaining information about AT devices for hearing, vision, muscoskeletal reasons, mobility reasons, learning disabilities, and second lang. users.

http://www.asu.edu/clas/tnt/ Brian- Here is a software evaluation checklist available on the web and allows free use. Available to all. []

If you have any students with ADHD and they have trouble staying seating you can buy this cushion: http://cgi.ebay.com.my/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300294981205&ih=020&category=28178&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWLIST It is cushion that allows students to wiggle around, and it helps the student stay seated. Anyone can buy one or sometimes schools will have them if you ask.-Katie(3)

6.Jamie Taggart: http://www.assistiveware.com/pr.php This website offers quite an extensive list of current assistive technology software releases. It gives information on the products and provides a visual. It offers links in each section that provide additional information on the particular device. Around the middle of the page, it previews new software. The page also has a section that displays videos of users of certain products for those who are interested in possibly attaining the software. This is a very informative website on the most recent software devices for those with disabilities. Anyone who is information in attaining more information on current softwares should visit this site.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go2827/is_1_39/ai_n31298563/?tag=rbxcra.2.a.22 This web site is a great tool if you are working in a different state. The web site provides people with information on assistive technology available in the state they work in. For example the web site lists DATI for the state of Delaware. The web site also provides the viewer with contact information. Anyone can access this site.-Katie(4)

Brian- Here is a website that discusses educational implications of communication disorders and possible assistive technology that might increase communication. For parents and teachers. []

7.Jamie- http://computers-technology-cerebralpalsy.com/index.html This site provides information on assistive technology for those with cerebral palsy. It provides a home page which talks about computer use for those with cp, as well as some low-tech devices. There are additional links for information on AT devices for communication and mobility. Furthermore, there is a section that provides the web designer provides additional links to companies who provide AT for those with cp. This webiste would be good for anyone interested in attaining AT devices for themselves or for someone with cerebral palsy.

Brian- Here is a website from Arizona schools. Lots of good links. []

Katie (5) http://enablingdevices.com/AssistiveTechnologyIdeas.aspx?gclid=CJzewd33nZsCFQQQswodJFUQpQ This web site sells different assistive technologies. Some things they have are book talker, etch a sketch, and swirl art. There are nice photographs and descriptions of each.

http://www.elderdepot.com/?gclid=CM6ErOvQoJsCFQpgswoddSW-Cg Assistive technology products for the elderly. Katie (6)

http://www.lssproducts.com/category/braille-assistive-technology Assistive technology for the blind. The site offers different Braille technologies to buy. Katie (7)

http://www.at-center.com/ This website provides resources for people with disabilities. For example there are resources for autism, adhd, cerebral palsy, and dyslexia. This website is geared for teachers and parents seeking resources/advice. Katie (8)

http://thelowvisioncenter.com/?OVRAW=Low%20Vision%20Aids&OVKEY=low%20vision%20aids&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=18858342522&OVKWID=109231421022 This website has products available for people with low vision. There are products like low vision alarms clocks, calendars, and playing cards. Katie (9)

Dyslexia resources for parents and teachers. I especially like the Bumpy books for early childhood use. http://www.bumpybooks.com/ http://www.quick-pen.com/products.php?cid=1 http://www.soundreading.com/?OVRAW=Dyslexia%20Software&OVKEY=dyslexia%20software&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=11841746013&OVKWID=118804377513 -Katie (10)

8.Jamie- http://www.fctd.info/ This website is family-friendly. It provides resources on assistive and instructional technologies. It works with families of children and youth who have disabilities. It offers information and services. This website is good for parents and/or educators looking for more information on devices and services. This website provides newsletters and online discussions.

-Kristin - http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/AAC-Devices. This website lists probably all of the major AAC devices out there from TechTalk, to GoTalk, and to some other devices such as Polyana and supertalker. They list the devices with the price ranges and a brief description of the communication device. It is a good resource for educators to go to when trying to see what device may be good for the student.

http://www.aac-rerc.com/ - This website is a research group that strives to improve AT for people with disabilities. They support not only people who need and use AT devices but also the companies that produce them. What I found most interesting was the section on Medicare funding of AAC devices. It is an overview for anyone who is looking for funding about a device.

Brian- [] This is a website from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and is dedicated to web accessibility for all. It is mainly for students and faculty at the university but has information for all to use.

Jamie: 9.http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw060109&Special=33 This site lays out in plain terminology the 2004 Assistive Technology Act. It is straightforward and addresses the provisions made, current activities, specifics about your own state, and additional links for more information. I like how this website makes it possible for anyone who wants to know more about the 2004 AT Act.

Jamie: 10.http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5566 This is an online resource for people with disabilities living in the state of Delaware. It provides information on funds and loan programs, describes other funding sources, and resources and services for those who are blind. Over on the side of the site there are links to accessibility, assistive and information technology, federal accomodation programs, and resources and organizations. This site is great for anyone living in delaware wanting to attain more information on various aspects of AT.

Rob 1. http://www.alltech-tsi.org/ a site designed to help acquire the AT your child would need. They offer loans as well. 2. http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/srtutorial.aspx A site that offers a tutorial on setting up the speech recognition on a windows vista machine. Basically what we did today in class. 3. http://www.edhelper.com/dolch_sight_words.htm?gclid=CP-1i4udo5sCFQITswodvArJCA A site that offers prepared symbols for PECs or any of the boards. 4. http://tricare.mil/cap/acc_sol/Technology.cfm?TECHID=1 A great site for all the tools and accommodations for the visually impaired. It was great seeing the tools on the site were also tools we either saw in class or at the library. 5. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1631625,00.html A site that shows a video of "This Old House" as they install fixtures into a bathroom to make them fall into more of a UDL style. The big feature is the water dam, a flexible plastic that allows a wheelchair to roll over, but doesn't allow water to. 6. http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/Us_Eu/conf/tide98/Nonumber/emiliani_pier.html I was looking for a site to see if Europe's more relaxed type of health care would make it easier for people to obtain AT. This site wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it was a start. It goes into more of the research and development angle for AT in Europe. 7. http://telecentreeurope.ning.com/notes/Notes_Home Sticking with the European way of things, this site is designed to put people in touch with the tools needed for the 21st century. It is an open forum with members of various countries in Europe all looking to help get technology, teach the technology, and use it effectively to drive education and life skills. 8. http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/DecisionMaking/ A very friendly site that helps determine which AT tools are right for the job. It allows you to select a student, get a background on that student, and see which tools would be appropriate for him/her to use in the classroom.

Brian- [] This is the international society for augmenative and alternative communication. This is for parents, teachers, and any other individual who may work with or know an individual with a communication disability.

Brian- [] This is a family guide to assistive technology. It is very useful and contains just about everything we went over in class from defining and decision making to funding.

Kristin oh the good ole NYC DOE website. They have information on there I did not know existed when I was working there but I thought these following links can give a teacher or specialist from anywhere a good overview of Tech in special ed.

This website has examples of alternate accesss along with pictures and a short description along with some contact information. []

This webpage is a brief article about AAC devices. It is not long and is easy to read which is important. []

So this following webpage is a link to a list of many websites all related to assistive technology. It includes many AT organization and most, if not all, vendors of AT devices. []

More from Melissa: (The beginning of one of my new summer projects!): Link to technology for students with autism http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art18603.asp

Overviews of technologies for students with autism: http://www.autismcoach.com/Software%20Overview.htm

An summary version of assistive technology (low, mid, and high) for students with autism: http://www.specialed.us/autism/assist/asst10.htm

A three part series of how AT helps students with autism: http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/2723.aspx

Bill: [] Their Mission: "To strengthen service systems to ensure that children with disabilities (birth through 5 years) and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate and family-centered supports and services." They have some good AT articles and address UDL as well.

[] - Special education technology - British Columbia - provides a wide range of resources and information about AT.