This article reminds people that children and people with disabilities are people too. They can participate just like anyone else they just need tools to help them succeed. Through technology we can help people with disabilities feel more independent and empowered. This a great article and connection to resources for my upcoming career in special education. Not only does the article offer some great ideas but also who/where you could contact to learn more.

This was an article desribing how teachers can use AT in their classrooms. AT can be used to "develop, monitor, and provide instructions, and for students to access and engage in learning." AT is a way to reach students needs. Through AT it can assist in the following areas organization, note taking, writing, productivity, access to reference materials, cognitive assistance, and material modification. This article gave me some great ideas to use with my current and future students. Each student learns differently whether they have a disability or not we as educators need to provide them with the most developmentally appropriate learning experiences so that they can be successful. That maybe through AT. AT can enhance and engage students more than the traditional way of teaching.

AT technology helps children with many disabilities. This article focuses on children with learning disabilities. Through AT children can focus on and celebrate their strengths. AT technology helps them "bypass" their challenges. AT can assist in all areas of school and life. Reading, Writing, Math, Organization, Etc... There are so many ways to assist students with AT such as alternative key boards, audio books, electronic worksheets, calculators that verbalize what you are typing, etc... I knew about some of these items but I have not had the oppurtunitity to work with any of them. At least now i have some background knowledge so if I ever need them or have the oppurtunitity to implement them into my classroom I will at least know a little. I also have this great resource to go to now if the situtation arises where I am looking for answers on AT.

This article desribes then and now. It explains how many different disability challenges can be reduced by AT. This a great article for parents or beginning educators who do not know where to begin with AT. It provides some great simple information and where to go next for more detailed information. I plan to use this article myself for basic knowledge and would recomend it to parents when they are seeking ways to help their child.

This article focuses on children with autism. Children with autism typically have communication and social needs. Technology can assist in the communication needs but the author warns against using technology to teach social skills. This is due to the fact that a computer is not a real person. To teach social skills children need to be interacting with other people. It is all about creating a balance. This reitterates the fact that no child autism or not is the same. Not one thing is going to work for all. Through having this resource and using co-workers, parents, etc... as resources we can better meet the needs of all students. Not one particular learning experience will meet the needs of all students. We as teachers need to vary the methods we use to teach depending on our individual students.

This article outlines the most common devices used for motor disabilites such as mouth wand, head wand, single switch access, sip and puff switch, oversized ball tracking mouse, adaptive keyboard, eye tracking, and voice recognition software. These devices help people with motor disabilities be successful in the workplace, home, school, etc... This a great tool to use as a resource to show people with motor disabilities that yes it is challenging for you but there are devices that can help you become more independent. I plan to use this for my general background knowledge and if i ever need to use as a resource again for a student i know where to find it. It also has information on where i can get more information on AT.

This resource provides examples of AT all across the board from pencil grips to voice recognition software. Schools are now required because of FAPE to provide students with AT that are in need. The challenges for schools in that area are lack of training and funding. However, the article does provide many success stories that make AT worth it. AT can be as simple as having a student in a regular education classroom take notes on carbon paper so that the student with learning needs can focus there attention on listening and get a copy of the notes later. This resource makes AT reachable to all educators whether you have the funding and training or not. There is no excuse not to meet the AT needs of your students. I plan to use this resource in the future with my students.

This article focuses on children with learning disabilities. This is a great resource to recomend to parents. This will help them to better understand how the school is going to meet the needs of their child. The article describes how AT can meet the needs throughout the enture curriculum such as reading, writing, math, etc... The article not only provides great information in a simple way but resources where to get more information. I would use this article when talking to parents about AT.

This is not an article but it is a resource on where to get information on other articles based on AT. The topics include accessible instruction, teaching through symbols, creating the least restrictive environment, and how students find their voice. Those are just a few of the articles that can be found on this website. This is a great resource to use for background knowledge and to go to when you have a particular student in mind. I plan to use this for my general content knowledge and if/and when i have a student with AT needs i will be using this as a resource to find ways to best meet the students needs.

This article outlines the reality of what high school means to so many youth. It is a challenging time they not only are dealing with social challeges about coming of age but the realitity of soon high school is going to end and they are going to either need to get a job or go to school. Money contraints are often a factor. This article suggests a transition program that helps students prepare for after high school life. Transitioning from high school to adult life is a huge jump many students are not prepared. A lot of students face the harsh reality when they go to college but in college they often have a support system of the school to help them what about the students who are not planning on going to school. Having a transition program will help all children not just children with disabilities. If i were a high school teacher i would be pushing that to be part of my curriculum.

This article defines transition which he outlines that it is very different than change. Transition is the process of people letting go of the way things used to be. Letting go of their personal connections to the change. This article shines a new light on the word transition. It makes it very clear that transition is a process and to aide in the process we can plan for a transition. As a future teacher I plan to use transition planning not just in the older grades but the primary grades. Transition can be hard for so many kids and as an educator it will be my job to help them transition smoothly. This will be through teaching them coping strategies, and preparing them for what the change will be.

Transitioning from high school to college is a huge transition. For many it is an exciting time but for others it is the fear of the unknown. You go from your parents being in charge of your everyday life to you being the sole oerson in charge. You suddenly have to be organized and in charge of not only your own learning but your living quarters. To be successful in college you need to make social connections, use the school they have resources to help you. This is a great resource to use with seniors in high school or juniors preparing to go to school. This gives them a taste of what to expect and that is okay to feel anxious and scared. Those are valid feelings but know who to contact at the school who can support you such as a RA or guidance. Schools have many resources discover them before you really need them so that you are prepared and feel secure that they are there if and when you need them.