Group items tagged

"The iPad Accessibility Features Module is a 2 to 2.5 hour module designed to deepen the participants understanding of iPad features that support students with special needs. This facilitator guide is designed to help you instruct educators, parents, and/or students on the use of iPad accessibility and keyboarding features as well as the iPad basic features that can be used to support the learning needs of students as they access the curriculum. A variety of handouts are included within the iPad Facilitation Manual"

"Welcome to Conversations in Multiple Media, which will be a regular section of the forthcoming Universal Design for Learning: A Journal of Theory, Research, & Practice in which experts from the education field comment on a single article. This first installment focuses on "The Variability of Learners," a chapter from a new book, Universal Design for Learning: Theory and Practice, by Anne Meyer, David H. Rose, and David Gordon."

Nice visual of UD in architecture/design/etc.

"The Communication Matrix is an assessment tool designed to pinpoint exactly how an individual is communicating and to provide a framework for determining logical communication goals. It was first published in 1990 and was revised in 1996 and 2004 by Dr. Charity Rowland of Oregon Health & Science University. It was designed primarily for speech-language pathologists and educators to use to document the expressive communication skills of children who have severe or multiple disabilities, including children with sensory, motor and cognitive impairments."

InfoUse, in collaboration with the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), is conducting an Assistive Technology Act Data Collection Project for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Our 4-year project designed and implemented a Web-based performance reporting system for the Assistive Technology Act state grants program. This system was designed to meet the information needs of the Assistive Technology Act grantees, NIDRR, and Congress, and to fulfill the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). The project is also conducting evaluation studies, described in more detail under Activities & Resources. We are creating a Chartbook on Assistive Technology that presents national estimates on the need for and use of assistive technology. The project is producing statistical estimates, by state, on the need for and use of assistive technology. The project is studying "model approaches" to capacity building systems that provide assistive technology training to professionals and individuals with disabilities. Research on employment-related assistive technology is also underway.

"Expanding the growing reach of universal design for learning" Article in the Virginia Department of Ed newsletter on UDL

MITS Freedom Stick 1.0 The MITS Freedom Stick is the result of global collaboration and the leadership of Ira Socol. The design and primary technical work was all done by the Regional Support Center - Scotland North and East. We are extremely grateful for their time, effort, and generosity. Much of the support for our "Americanization," localization, and development of the accessible Firefox Browser came from the Mozilla Corporation, and Mozilla Education. The MITS Freedom Stick is designed to provide students with information and communication access on any computer using a Windows or Linux operating system. When you insert the USB Flash Drive into the computer the LearnApps software should load giving you a menu in the toolbar on the lower-right corner of the screen.

"Alexicom is the only Internet-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system available today. There is no longer a need to purchase a large bulky device that can cost thousands of dollars. You can now have an AAC system that will work anytime and anywhere, online or offline, at a fraction of the cost compared to any other systems available today. Designed by parents of an AAC user and speech-language pathologists, Alexicom is extremely affordable. At only $40 a month with no contracts or $408 per year, Alexicom is designed to be extremely user-friendly and has the ability to grow with the user as his or her needs change."

"This Issue Brief harnesses the thinking of NCTI stakeholders and the literature in the educational and AT field to provide insight for current and future investment, development, and research. The Issue Brief discusses five themes that define state-of-the-art assistive technology: 1. Convergence 2. Customizability and universal design for learning (UDL) 3. Research or evidence-based 4. Portability to promote independence 5. Interoperability Underlying these themes is a design imperative: devices should be simple - simple to learn, to use, to integrate, and to support."

"Simtrix's new computer mouse A New Zealand company creates an intelligently-designed lap-top device to save the mouse from extinction. Simtrix's Grant Odgers talks about his new species of cutely designed lap-top mouse that nestles into the tips of your fingers."

"EduApps is an initiative developed by the JISC Regional Support Centre Scotland North & East and consists of four different collections of incredibly useful software: * AccessApps provides a range of solutions to support writing, reading and planning, as well as sensory, cognitive and physical difficulties. * TeachApps is a collection of software specifically designed for teachers or lecturers. * LearnApps, as its name implies, is specifically designed for learners. All learners or students can benefit from LearnApps. * MyStudyBar is our new kid on the block, providing a suite of apps to support literacy. Currently we host over 90 open source and freeware software applications which can be entirely used from a USB stick on a Windows computer. "

So who wants to test this out and see how it all works? Sounds promising!

Patti, BIll Nellis has develolped PD using these apps. He shows the participants how to create their own Thumb Drive with a collection of AT apps that run entirely from the Thumb Drive. It is a WONDERFUL idea and has tons of application for therapists or AT professionals who travel from school to school.

"Just as a carpenter needs to locate and use the correct tool for the job, teachers need to select technology tools to assist all learners in the classroom. Many tools can also assist in providing Tier 1 differentiated instruction for all learners and Universal Design for Learning. Use this wiki to learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Response to Intervention (RTI), free web tools and assistive technology (AT). Each set of "tools" might not be all encompassing. Continuing the carpenter analogy, every tool available is not necessary in order to complete a successful project. In addition some manual tools (non-technology) might be better than power tools (technology tools) for some projects. Teachers can fill their own toolbox with specialized tools to make learning more effective and efficient for all all students."

"Looking for Universal Design (The View from Here, Part 2) "

"The Strange & Wonderful World of Ants is a beautifully designed, educational, and quirky children's iPad App. It features an adjustable reading level making it appealing to a wide range of children and adults. * Dynamically adjustable reading level. Appropriate for readers aged 7-12. Younger readers can enjoy the app with a parent. * Gorgeous design. Stunning illustrations and interactive animations. * Educational content. Makes it fun to learn about the weird and inspiring world of the ants. "

MrNussbaum.com was developed with the idea that crucial concepts, themes, ideas, and fact sets taught in the classroom can be enhanced over the internet through interactivity. Furthermore, for teachers to have a reliable k -8 internet site to use in the computer lab or in the classroom, that likely covers one or many themes currently being taught. MrNussbaum.com offers dozens of interactive games specifically designed to pinpoint one or several essential concepts taught in elementary years, and dozens of research themes designed to make the process of gathering information interactive and enjoyable. MrNussbaum.com, however, does not just present information, but in addition, provides numerous interactive activities to complement the presentation of interactive information.

"JobTIPS is a free program designed to help individuals with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder explore career interests, seek and obtain employment, and successfully maintain employment. JobTIPS addresses the social and behavioral differences that might make identifying, obtaining, and keeping a job more difficult for you. Though JobTIPS is designed for direct use by individuals with autism and other disabilities, this program (including all of the printables, assessments, and videos) is also suitable for delivery by teachers, family members, clinicians, mentors, and job coaches."

Why? * To increase participation and achievement for ALL students including those with significant disabilities * To position ALL students to take advantage of emerging educational technologies in inclusive learning environments. What? * The integration of interactive white boards (SMART Boards), SMART Solutions (e.g., SMART Table, SMART Document Camera, SMART Sync) and other mainstream technology (IPADS/IPODS, Nintendo DSi) with assistive technology for use during whole and small group instruction in all educational settings. The key is including ALL students using a Universal Design for Learning Toolkit (technology, traditional teaching methods,pedagogy) in their current educational setting to ensure meaningful academic and social participation. How? * By using SMART Boards and other mainstream technology as well as assistive technology to facilitate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI) so that learning environments, opportunities and activities are accessible by diverse groups of learners. Understanding how the Participation Model can extend UDL and DI so that the learning and participation of students with the most significant learning challenges are increased and enhanced.

"The Communication Matrix is an assessment tool designed to pinpoint exactly how an individual is communicating and to provide a framework for determining logical communication goals. It was first published in 1990 and was revised in 1996 and 2004 by Dr. Charity Rowland of Oregon Health & Science University. It was designed primarily for speech-language pathologists and educators to use to document the expressive communication skills of children who have severe or multiple disabilities, including children with sensory, motor and cognitive impairments."

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) helps all students progress through the general-education curriculum by reducing barriers to instruction. Find out how SLPs are using UDL to help their students.

a concise yet thorough description of UDL

PowerPoint Games and Game Templates There are Two Types of PowerPoint Game Templates Below 1) Whole Class Participation - Most of these games are designed for use in a classroom setting where the teacher has their computer hooked up to a projector or large screen TV so that everyone in the class can view them. 2) Games for Individual Student Use - Most of these games are designed to be used in a one computer to one student set up. Most are simple drill and practice games, but some can be modified to encourage problem solving skills.