Assistive Technology

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Considering Assistive Technology in the IEP Process: The Texas 4-Step Model Resource Guide

This guide and professional development module from the Texas Assistive Technology Network has information to help educational teams in considering assistive technology in the development, review and revision of a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).  It gives a framework for identifying relevant tasks for the individual student with instructions for appropriate accommodations, changes and technology solutions.  The guide also contains a list of legal references that relate to assistive technology. This link opens a PDF document.

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ABLEDATA

Database of assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment, including price and information on more than 25,000 assistive technology products.

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AccessIT

Promotes the use of electronic and information technology for students and employees with disabilities in educational institutions at all academic levels.
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Accessible Digital Media Guidelines

Discusses educational needs of students with disabilities and how those needs may be met with software, digital books and other technologies. These guidelines also look at ways to achieve the goal of helping students learn while using adaptive and accessible technology.  The National Center on Access to the General Curriculum at the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) provides more information on access adaptations and the educational goals of instructional materials.

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Adaptive Technology Resource Centre

Assists individuals with disabilities in choosing and effectively using assistive technology to achieve their personal goals.
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Alliance for Technology Access

A network of community-based resource centers, developers, vendors and associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive and information technologies.
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Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Project

Find options for financing assistive technology through grants and loans sponsored by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).

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An Introduction to the Screen Reader

A 6-minute video demonstrating how screen readers assist people who are blind navigate the web, access the electronic page and more. A transcript of this video is also available.

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Assistive Technology Act Fact Sheet

Provides background information on the Tech Act beginning with the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act in 1988.
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Assistive Technology Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to commonly-asked questions about assistive technology from the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Web site.
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Assistive Technology Guide for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Parent's Guide

Provides an overview of current technologies to help parents select tools for their children who have problems learning. Link opens a PDF document.
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Assistive Technology Industry Association

A trade association representing the interests of the assistive technology industry to business, government, education and agencies that serve people with disabilities.
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Assistive Technology Links

Useful links to a wide variety of assistive and adaptive technology.
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Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO)

Provides information on assistive technology applications that help students with disabilities (including physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities) learn in elementary classrooms.

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Assistive Technology for Children with Autism

Article discusses how various modes of technology can be used for children with autism to increase or improve their overall understanding of their environment and their communication, attention, social interaction and organizational skills.
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Assistivetech.net

Comprehensive database of assistive technology products and links to various disability services and resources from the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access.
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Association of Blind Citizens - Assistive Technology Fund

Provides funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. Allows blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance overall quality of life.
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Center for Applied Special Technology Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

UDL is a framework for designing curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. Find resources for research, professional development, policy, publications, products and resources.

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Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access (CATEA)

CATEA supports individuals with disabilities of any age within the State of Georgia and beyond through: expert services, research design and technological development, information dissemination and educational programs.
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Closing the Gap

Provides practical up-to-date information on assistive technology products, procedures and best practices through a newspaper, annual conference and on-line service.
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Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Technology & Media (TAM) Division

Promotes the availability and effective use of technology and media for children with disabilities and/or who are gifted.
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DREAMMS for Kids

Developmental Research for the Effective Advancement of Memory and Motor Skills (DREAMMS) is an Assistive Technology information clearinghouse and search facility.
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Described & Captioned Media Program

Program provides services for students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind. Available to schools and families are a free loan library of described and captioned educational media and information related to accessible media.
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Discover How Built-in Accessibility Compares Between Windows 7 & Mac OS X Part 1: Windows 7

Learn about the free, built-in assistive technology and accessibility features in Windows 7 during this Webcast from the USDA TARGET Center Discovery Series.

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Discover How Built-in Accessibility Compares Between Windows 7 & Mac OS X Part 2: Mac OS X

Learn about the free, built-in assistive technology and accessibility features in Mac OS X during this Webcast from the USDA TARGET Center Discovery Series.

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Early Connections

Resources for educators and care providers who want to connect technology with the way young children learn.
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Family Center on Technology & Disability

Offers a range of information and services on the subject of assistive technologies to parents, educators and children with disabilities.
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Family Center on Technology & Disability (FCTD) Member Database

Use the FCTD member database to find organizations and programs in your state that help families of children with disabilities understand and locate assistive technologies.
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Financial Aid Resources for Purchasing Assistive Technology

Lists resources in the U.S. to help finance assistive technology, including wheelchair accessible vans, adaptive technology and computer programs that can assist those with special needs as well as the accessories needed to help achieve goals.
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First Stop for Free Assistive Technology

A one-stop source of free assistive technology to help enhance the quality-of-life, independence and employability of people with disabilities.
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Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education (GRADE)

GRADE's mission is to improve the accessibility of distance education for students with disabilities throughout the nation by providing technical assistance, training and research.
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International Society for Technology in Education

A variety of tools and resources to help educators around the world bring educational technology into the classroom.

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Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

Free service offering guidance on accommodations for people with disabilities in the workplace and in the classroom.
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Learning Disabilities & Assistive Technologies (AT)

Provides information and resources for service providers, teachers, parents and consumers about how AT can help people with learning disabilities.
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National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP)

Program provides technical assistance to the 56 state and territorial assistive technology programs as authorized under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.

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National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI)

NCTI offers information on research, trends and information for researchers, developers and vendors who are working to ensure that technology tools meet the needs of students with disabilities.
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National Lekotek Center

Organization with a national network of affiliates dedicated to making play and learning accessible for children with disabilities and providing supportive services for their families.

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Opening Doors: Technology & Communication Options for Children with Hearing Loss

This publication provides background on early intervention, the use of technology and other support available to children with hearing loss and their families. Also available in Spanish titled: Que se abran las puertas: Opciones de tecnologia y comunicacion para los ninos con perdida auditiva.
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Providing Low Cost Loans for the Purchase of Assistive Technology

Analysis of the first year of operation of the Federal Alternative Financing Program for Individuals with Disabilities, which provides loans to purchase assistive technology for people with disabilities. Link opens a PDF document.

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RFB&D--Learning through Listening

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) offers an accessible audiobook library for students with disabilities such as visual impairments and dyslexia. Find an RFB&D contact near you.

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Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

Promotes research and development, education, advocacy and the provision of assistive technology while at the same time supporting the individuals engaged in these activities.

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Reuse of Assistive Technology (AT)

Information about the benefits of reusing assistive technology (AT). People in need of AT may often take advantage of AT reuse programs since used assistive technology is more affordable and sometimes free.
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State Assistive Technology & Telework Financial Loan Programs

State by state information from the Alternative Financing Technical Assistance Project on assistive technology and telework financial loan programs.

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Teaching & Assessing Students with Significant Disabilities

Information from the Louisiana Department of Education on education tools for students with significant disabilities. Includes sections on assessment, curriculum, instruction and developing an Individualized Education Plan. Though some of these resources apply specifically to the Louisiana Department of Education, they provide information and ideas that can benefit educators and parents in all states, for example the site's Instructional Materials Library.

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TechMatrix--Assistive Technology Tools for Learning

Tool for finding educational and assistive technology products for students with different disabilities. TechMatrix's search tool generates results based on subject area and learning supports, including adaptive devices, text-to-speech software, touch screens, electronic references and resources, multiple formats of text, alternate access to computers and peripheral devices (input and output) and more.
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Technology Assessment of the U.S. Assistive Technology Industry

A study produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security for the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.

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Technology Related Articles from LD OnLine

Information on new developments in technology, and practical insights into the promise and realities of making technology work for people with learning disabilities.
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Testing Accommodations for Adults with Disabilities

Provides information for test administrators regarding mandated testing accommodations for people with documented physical disabilities, earning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and emotional or psychological disabilities.

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Tool Kit on Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

This tool kit explains how universal design can be applied to teaching and assessing students. In a classroom using a universally designed curriculum one might find books on tape, interactive software, magnifiers or highlighted materials.
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Trace Research & Development Center

Information on how to design equipment, World Wide Web sites, information kiosks, etc. that are accessible.
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Using Arms & Hands in Activities & Routines

This issue of Tots-n-Tech (TnT) newsletter discusses various ways to adapt materials using low-tech solutions so that children can participate in activities and routines that require use of arms and hands. TnT’s mission is to provide up-to-date information and resources about adaptations, including assistive technology, to use with infants and toddlers for states, Early Intervention providers and families across the country. This link opens a PDF document.

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Using Computer-based Tests with Students with Disabilities

Presents issues to think about when designing computer-based testing for all students, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency. It also describes how to start the move from paper and pencil testing to computer-based testing.

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