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The CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) organization is devoted to expanding learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). I found the CAST website to be a high-quality, valuable resource for educators and gave it a score of 5 on the DISCERN Instrument. The CAST Website defines UDL extensively and provides links to resources detailing how educators can implement UDL for their students. The website also provides a multitude of resources in their Research & Development, Learning Tools, Professional Devepment, and Library sections. I will refer back to the CAST website often to learn more about UDL and access tools for students.

The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) works to improve the lives of children and adults who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). ISAAC's vision is that AAC will be recognized, valued and used throughout the world. ISAAC's mission is to promote the best possible communication for people with complex communication needs. The ISAAC website provides information regarding their conference, International AAC Awareness Month, the Leadership Project for People who use AAC and much more.

The purpose of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wheelchair Transportation Safety (RERC WTS) website is to "make measurable improvements in transportation safety, usability, and independence for people who remain seated in their wheelchairs when traveling in public, school, and private motor vehicles". The RERC WTS website provides information regarding the WC-19 voluntary industry standard on crash-tested wheelchairs and seating systems and has links regarding this information for consumers, prescribers, manufacturers, and transporters. The website also contains information and links regarding research, news, and knowledge translation for this area!

Overview/case study of portable applications for a student preparing for college. Article is from 2010, but provides good ideas for consideration of apps in planning.

The Wrightslaw webpage on Assistive Technology examines the Law regarding Assistive Technology. In doing so it references IDEA 2004 and defines both Assistive Technology Devices and Services. Wrightslaw also addresses Assistive Technology Training, Evaluation, and Universal Design for Learning. The target audience for the Wrightslaw website includes parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys who are seeking accurate, reliable information regarding special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.

Looking for free, fun games and activities for babies, toddlers and young children? CBeebies is the home of fun and educational games for kids to play and learn at the same time. Wonderful sight for games in general, but you can search for switch and special needs.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities, www.ncld.org, provides information for children and adults with disabilities. There is information specific to LD, however, there are also links provided for the rights of students with a learning disability and parents with a child with a learning disability. It continues to provide information for adults as they continue in life with a learning disability.

The AbleNet Website offers free online educational opportunities for professionals in the area of Assistive Technology through AbleNet University. These live and recorded webinars can be accessed on the AbleNet Website under the Professional Development tab and include training in Communication, Switch Mounts, iDevices, Computer Access, Electronic Aids to Daily Living, Universal Design for Learning, and Curriculum.

Webpage for Talk to Me Technologies, which specializes in AAC systems for individuals with communicative disorders.

Description from the site: "'I Want to Say' is a 27-minute documentary short, produced by Goodby Silverstein & Partners and production company Bodega, that tells the story of Hacking Autism, a newly adopted Autism Speaks initiative devoted to unlocking the voices of children with autism through technology." Of particular note for our class, this video highlights the use of touch technology for communication.

The Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library is a webpage on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website that provides Braille and recorded books and playback equipment for those Wisconsin residents who for any physical reason cannot read normal print. It includes a link to a searchable online catalog and provides detailed information of how to access their services.

The Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI) website has a Technology page that includes links to their iAccess and AT Blogs, Technology Tutorials, AT Resources, Software Downloads, and their Assistive Technology Loan Program.

Lots of great seats and information for children in wheelchairs.

Provides information on the Snug Seat, which is a manufacturer of safety systems for children with disabilities.

OT's with Apps is a website dedicated to identifying iPod, iPhone, and iPad Apps that are suited for occupational therapy intervention and services for children and adults. The website is written and maintained by Carol Leynse Harpold, an occupational therapist and assistive technology practitioner.

Product website for Switchamajig IR for adapting devices with an infared remote. A video on the site shows how the product works.

Paper written for quadriplegics, devices for people who are newly disabled

Overall, based on both the DISCERN tool and the Hoss & Hanson document, the website appears to be a good source of information for the intended purpose, which is to provide information to Minnesotans about identifying and obtaining assistive technology. There are certainly ways that the site could be improved (updating more often, identifying additional credentials, etc.) but it is a good source of general information for assistive technology in Minnesota.

this is a nice collection of downloadable visual supports for special needs students. It is provided by the Special Education Technology of British Columbia. It is easy to search through one of the six categories to find Boardmaker pictures already for you to print and use. There are boards that can be printed for language use or visual support in the classroom and then there are boards that are specific to communication devices to download and print for the device, such as a Go Talk, or to download and transfer to a computerized dynamic display device, such as a ChatPC.

Hi- Lucky or unlucky for you, I found this link after I wrote next week's lab. However it is a nice resource - especially the content area under Books for All.