Group items tagged

"With the proliferation of AAC apps, it seems that many people quickly get or want to get an AAC app for their child with an autism spectrum disorder. It is awesome and amazing to see so many people who need AAC begin to have access to AAC. But once there is accessibility, it is not always readily apparent what to do and it is like any technology or gadget, if you don't learn how to USE it, it could become like the 'proverbial treadmill clothes hanger' or abandoned musical instrument."

"A Bill of Rights and Principles for Learning in the Digital Age' The document, drafted by a dozen educators brought together by the MOOC pioneer Sebastian Thrun, proposes a set of "inalienable rights" that the authors say students and their advocates should demand from institutions and companies that offer online courses and technology tools. "

"iPads: Educational Access for All focuses on some of the areas of the IOS system, apps in different educational categories and suggestions for basic apps list. Written by a Curriculum Specialist in technology and support by Specialist in Assistive Technology, you will find a lot of links and suggested apps that you might not be aware of. "

The A.T.TIPScast: Assistive Technology Tools In Public Schools is a podcast about using technology to help students meet their educational goals. Each episode features at least one "A.T.TIP" that can be used to differentiate and individualize the learning process.

"There are several reasons why Chrome is regarded as the most popular browser in the world: It is considered the more secure than the competition, is one the speediest, and benefits from cloud based profiles. This last feature is particularly useful for those interested in assistive technology because it allows the user to become untethered from the device. "

YouTube channel on assistive technology videos

"This paper explores how new digital technologies can be used to design curricula that are flexible enough to adapt readily to individual differences. The authors propose that universal design for learning-as the confluence of advances in the neuroscience of human variability and in multimedia technologies-can create an "ecology for learning" which provides rich, diverse, student-centered learning pathways for all students. "

"To date, there are few guidelines to support clinicians and manufacturers in the design of effective AAC systems for beginning communicators. When AAC systems are well designed, they may enhance communication and language outcomes for beginning communicators with complex communication needs. However, poorly-designed AAC systems may potentially interfere with language learning and communication effectiveness. In this session, we will discuss guidelines for the design of effective AAC technologies for beginning communicators with complex communication needs, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with developmental disabilities (e.g., autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome) as well as older individuals with significant cognitive impairments. The session will present research results from recent studies and will suggest clinical guidelines to improve the design of AAC systems based on these research results. "

"Leading-edge technologies will play a vital role in helping equip future generations with the skills they need to thrive in the workforce of today and tomorrow. That is why we support collaborative learning in communities around the world, and why we invest heavily in education programs initiatives and partnerships through our products and tools. Our education initiatives focus on three key areas: Making learning magical Empowering innovative communities Building a foundation of technology and access "

Patrick Black's blog A special education teacher for 11 years, I currently teach students with significant cognitive disabilities in a self-contained classroom in Mt. Prospect, IL. I am a "geek" who loves to share all things technology, and have worked to integrate technology into my classroom to assist with communication, cognition, and socialization. I am a contributor to the Edreach.us Network as a blogger, and a crew member of the EdCeptional Podcasts.

"To assist local public education agencies, parents, and other government entities in building their capacity to consider and implement assistive technology for students with disabilities in order to improve access to the general education curriculum."

"The iPad offers tools for providing multiple means of representation as well as tools for students to have a variety of options to express their learning. Because it is such a cutting edge technology, it also has the added benefit of engaging students in learning. Simply put, it is a trendy and attractive tool - one that students desire to use. It has the power to be assistive without marking students look different when using it. If we can leverage this technology, the potential to support all students is tremendous."

"If you are new to speech recognition technology, you may need a little direction as you get started.  We recommend you view some of the following special resources* intended to jump start your use of this exciting technology: Tips for Improving Accuracy  Dragon Support and Troubleshooting Tutorials Microphone Troubleshooting and Set-up Guide Microphone Selection Guide"

"For the past 12 years I have conducted an annual review of the special education technology literature. This work involves scanning the contents of 31 journals and capturing each article that I think is relevant to the work of special education technology professionals. After reading, analyzing, and indexing each article, I prepare an analysis of this one-year profile of the knowledge base. The purpose of this work is to answer the question, "What have we learned lately?" "

"Microsoft celebrates what technology can do, as told by Steve Gleason, a former pro football player who is living with ALS. He uses a Surface Pro running Tobii's eye gazer technology to speak, and to narrate our commercial. Watch our Super Bowl commercial now."

"be sure to take a look at the newly added PARCC Field Test Assistive Technology Guidelines. "

"The SimScientists program in WestEd's Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) program is comprised of a portfolio of research and development projects that focus on the roles that simulations can play in enriching science learning and assessment. The capabilities of technology allow modifications of simulation-based activities to offer accommodations for English learners and students with disabilities. Science simulations can be used in curriculum activities, as embedded, formative assessments, and as summative assessments."

"A space to share my own creations, and other interesting bits that cover combining assistive technology, instructional technology and curriculum creation for students with special needs. My personal passion within teaching is finding a way to teach my students the functional academics they need to learn, while still meeting the requirements to teach to state standards. The fusion is possible, but it is a lot of work. I hope that this will grow to become a repository of sample materials that other teachers can use to support their classrooms."

$99.99 "The highly anticipated KNFB Reader converts printed text into high quality speech to provide accurate, fast, and efficient access to both single and multiple page documents with the tap of a button on the iPhone. Picture accuracy is facilitated by a Field of View Report, Automatic Page Detection, and Tilt Control. Our app allows users to capture pictures of virtually any type of printed text, including mail, receipts, class handouts, memos and many other documents that you may encounter. Proprietary document analysis technology determines the words and reads them aloud to the user with high quality text-to-speech and Braille access. Individuals with print disabilities will benefit from the synchronized speech and text highlighting capabilities. KNFB Reader will revolutionize access to print materials for the mobile professional and busy student by providing advanced state of the art mobile reading technology in a single hand-held device. "

"This site is a collection of links and resources that I use as a school based Occupational Therapist, as well as some resources I've developed. These resources are primarily in the following areas: Assistive Technology for students with physical disabilities; Assistive Technology for students with multiple disabilities; and Occupational Therapy support for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder."