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Confirmation Bias is a psychological principle/logical fallacy. This recent (2015) study documents how people will seek out ways to justify or confirm their beliefs when presented with cognitive dissonance. Date: November 16, 2015 Source: University of Iowa Summary: Once people reach a conclusion, they aren't likely to change their minds, even when new information shows their initial belief is likely wrong and clinging to that belief costs real money, new research shows"

Welcome to ConnectABILITY a website and virtual community dedicated to lifelong learning and support for people who have an intellectual disability, their families and support networks. The core of our community is accessible, self-directed access to valuable information and tools, ready on demand.

This short booklet provides information about children and young people who use a variety of different ways to communicate, how you can help support them and where to go for further information. You should read this booklet if you live or work with children and young people whose speech is difficult to understand or who have no speech.

"People with cognitive disabilities have an equal right to technology and information access. A coalition of disability organizations and individuals asserted this right in a formal declaration, announced at the Thirteenth Annual Coleman Institute National Conference on Cognitive Disability and Technology, held October 2, 2013, in Broomfield, Colorado."

"Every voice should be heard Some people are hard to hear -- through no fault of their own. Disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome and Rett syndrome make it harder for many individuals to communicate on their own. Many people use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools in order to help make their voices heard. We work to help bring out the voices of those with complex communication needs through good tech that actually makes things easier and supports everyone in helping the individual succeed."

"Effective communication is a fundamental element of life. Relationships, choice, employment, and so much more are severely limited by an inability to communicate. Let's make effective communication a reality for people with disabilities. Join TASH's new campaign, Communication for All. The campaign was created to promote life-long communication for people with disabilities through awareness, professional development, access to communication technologies, instruction, and support. Join the campaign group (members-only) to promote life-long communication for all!"

"At Microsoft, we envision a future where people with permanent disabilities or situational limitations have the technology they need to work efficiently and independently from any device. We're committed to helping people of all abilities access information and have fulfilling interactions everywhere, both in person and virtually."

This site highlights the employment successes of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) who are working in paid jobs in their communities. Through the use of innovative, front-line employment support practices, these individuals are earning money, forming networks, and contributing to their communities. Learn more about these people and the promising practices that led to their success. 

A variety of tools to help people better understand copyright.

Has great resources on IEP goals for people who are blind.

"All people with a disability of any extent or severity have a basic right to affect, through communication, the conditions of their existence. All people have the following specific communication rights in their daily interactions. These rights are summarized from the Communication Bill of Rights put forth in 1992 by the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities."

Kinesthetic learning (also known as tactile learning) is a learning style in which learning takes place by the student carrying out a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or watching a demonstration. People with a kinesthetic learning style are also commonly known as "do-ers". The Fleming VAK/VARK model (one of the most common and widely used categorizations of the various types of learning styles)[1] categorized learning styles as follows: Visual learners Auditory learners Reading- or writing-preference learners Kinesthetic learners[2]

Kinesthetic learning (also known as tactile learning) is a learning style in which learning takes place by the student carrying out a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or watching a demonstration. People with a kinesthetic learning style are also commonly known as "do-ers". The Fleming VAK/VARK model (one of the most common and widely used categorizations of the various types of learning styles)[1] categorized learning styles as follows: Visual learners Auditory learners Reading- or writing-preference learners Kinesthetic learners[2]

"Imagine being unable to say, "I am hungry," "I am in pain," "thank you," or "I love you," - losing your ability to communicate, being trapped inside your body, surrounded by people yet utterly alone. For 13 long years, that was Martin Pistorius's reality. After contracting a brain infection at the age of twelve, Pistorius lost his ability to control his movements and to speak, and eventually he failed every test for mental awareness. He had become a ghost. But then a strange thing started to happen - his mind began to knit itself back together. In this moving talk, Pistorius tells how he freed himself from a life locked inside his own body."

Links to Ian Bean's free resources to accessible materials, videos and other activities, along with documents and information useful to those working with or parenting young people with severe and complex needs. All of their resources have been virus checked and determined to be safe to download for use at school or at home.

"Progressive Language helps your communicators progress to full communication! Ever since we released our first core word vocabulary in multiple grid sizes, back in Proloquo2Go 2.0, we've been recommending that people choose the largest grid size they can use. Choosing a large grid size gives you the most language on a single screen. With more language available at a glance, you can quickly recognize the words you want to use. You don't have to remember which folder a word is in and then navigate there"

Article from the people at makeuseof

The importance of ensuring that people with AAC needs have communication options when their technology isn't available or appropriate.

Video that makes the point if you design for people with disabilities everyone benefits.

"Talking with a person who uses AAC - what to do, and what not to do! - in order to be a good communication partner. What people who use AAC have to say about communication partners."

"Over time I have created quite a few help guides, presentations, and other training resources for Google-related topics. Although these resources can be found elsewhere on this site and other locations, I have pulled them all together in one place to make it easy for people to find a needed resource, as well as to be sure you are accessing the most recent version"