A Parent's Guide to Special Ed / Special Needs

http://www.disabilityrights.org/title.htm

This online parent’s guide is divided into three parts: the process (from identifying your child to placement), problem solving, and resources.

AbilityHub

http://www.abilityhub.com/

AbilityHub directs you to adaptive equipment and alternative methods for accessing computers. 

ABLEDATA

http://www.abledata.com

ABLEDATA is a federally funded project whose primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States.  

Adaptive Technology Center for NJ Colleges

http://www.TCNJ.EDU/~technj/atcenter/

The mission of the Adaptive Technology Center for New Jersey Colleges is to increase opportunities for college students who have disabilities to meet the academic demands of college through access to appropriate technology tools. 

All Kinds of Minds

http://www.allkindsofminds.org/

All Kinds of Minds provides programs, tools, and a common language for parents, educators, and clinicians to help students with differences in learning achieve success in the classroom and in life.

Alliance for Technology Access

http://www.ataccess.org/

The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a network of community-based Resource Centers, Developers and Vendors, Affiliates, and Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies.

AlphaSmart

http://www2.alphasmart.com/

The AlphaSmart is the easiest-to-use portable writing tool in the world!

American Sign Language Browser

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

Michigan State University has gathered useful resource to easily find the sign of many words.

The Arc (Mental Retardation)

http://thearc.org/

The Arc is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for people with mental retardation and their families. 

The Archimedes Project

http://archimedes.stanford.edu/

The Archimedes Project aims to education those who will develop the next generation of software and hardware about the obstacles and opportunities that technology presents for individuals with disabilities.

The Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO)

http://atto.buffalo.edu/

ATTO provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms.

The National Assistive Technology Research Institute from the University of Kentucky developed the first Assistive Technology Viewer (ATV) to provide students in classes with an easy way to view and learn about a variety of assistive technology devices.

ATEN - Acronyms You Should Know:

http://www.aten.scps.k12.fl.us/resources/aysk.html

Check out this helpful glossary of assistive technology terms from ATEN.

Awesome Library

http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Library/Special_Education/Special_Education.html

The Awesome Library has links to special education topics such as: assistive technology, attention deficit disorder, blind and visually impaired, cleft lip and palate, deaf and hearing impaired, developmental disability, gifted, home schooling, IEPs, learning disabilities, mental health, mental retardation, physically challenged, and severe and chronic illness.

Barrier Free Education

http://barrier-free.arch.gatech.edu/

Resource site helping students with disabilities gain access to math and science education.

The Boulevard

http://www.blvd.com/

A Directory of Products and Services for the Physically Challenged, Elderly, Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals.

Center for Advanced Technology in Education

http://cateweb.uoregon.edu/

CATE is committed to transforming teaching and learning through the use of computing and communication technologies.

Center for Applied Special Technology

http://www.cast.org/

Founded in 1984 as the Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST is an educational, not-for-profit organization that uses technology to expand opportunities for all people, including those with disabilities.  Click on Bobby for a way to evaluate the accessibility of your web pages.

Center for Universal Design

http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/

Evaluates, develops and promotes universal design in housing, public facilities and products.

Closing the Gap

http://www.closingthegap.com/

For twenty years Closing The Gap has built a reputation as the leading source for information on innovative applications of computer technology for person with disabilities.

Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)

http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/

Parents or teachers who become involved in disagreements over appropriate education for children with disabilities will find this site extremely valuable.

Council for Exceptional Children

http://www.cec.sped.org/

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is "the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted."

Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD)

http://www.cldinternational.org/

Provides services to professionals who work with learning disabled students.  Includes info. sheets on relevant LD topics.

CSUN Center on Disabilities

http://www.csun.edu/cod/

CSUN sponsors assistive technology training programs.

Dana/Brain Information

http://www.dana.org/ 

Dana.org serves as a gateway to brain information. At this site you will find information about the programs, activities, and publications of the Dana Foundation and the Dana Alliance, as well the latest news about the brain.

disAbility Information & Resources

http://www.makoa.org/

Features a long page of assistive technology links.

Equal Access to Software & Information

http://www.rit.edu/~easi/index.htm

Students and professionals with disabilities have the same right to access information technology as anyone else.

ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities

http://ericec.org/index.html

ERIC EC provides information on the education of individuals with disabilities as well as those who are gifted.

Family Center on Technology and Disablility

http://www.fctd.info./

The Center serves organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities and offer a range of information and services on the subject of assistive technology (AT).

Family Village

http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/school.htm

This School includes educationally-related resources for families with a child who has disabilities--plus additional resources "Just for Kids!!"

Fast Forword

http://www.scilearn.com/

Software available based on the latest brain research, for rapid gain in language and reading.

The FRC supports a nationwide technical assistance network to respond to the needs of students with disabilities, especially students from under-represented populations. Through its work with the RRCs and the technical assistance networks, the FRC provides a national perspective for establishing technical assistance activities within and across regions by identifying and synthesizing emerging issues and trends.

Guide to Assistive Technologies for Children with Learning Disabilities

http://www.schwablearning.org/index.asp

A parent’s guide to helping kids with learning disabilities

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Practices

http://www.ideapractices.org/

The IDEA Partnerships are four national projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services to deliver a common message about the landmark 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Partners, working together for five years, inform professionals, families and the public about IDEA '97 and strategies to improve educational results for children. 

Instant Access Treasure Chest

http://www.fln.vcu.edu/ld/ld.html

The foreign language teacher’s guide to learning disabilities.

IntelliTools Activity Exchange

http://www.IntelliTools.com/

IntelliTools^® has been developing and producing computer products for special education for two decades. Their primary focus is to meet the needs of children in elementary schools who face challenges ranging from learning disabilities to significant physical disabilities. Their purpose is to provide high-quality, computer-based, educational products for students, their teachers, therapists, and parents.  Here are some great activities to try!

Internet Resources for Special Children (IRSC)

http://www.irsc.org/

The IRSC web site is dedicated to communicating information relating to the needs of children with disabilities.

Joy Zabala's Resources for Assistive Technology in Education

http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/JoyZabala.html

The purpose of this page is to serve as an introduction to Joy Zabala's work and to provide resources for learning more about assistive technology devices and services in educational settings. It provides links to informational sites as well as sites which provide opportunities for you to participate in collegial discussions and research on assistive technology.

LD Online

http://www.ldonline.org/

One stop shop for special education information for parents as well as teachers. 

Learning Disabilities Resources (Richard Wanderman)

http://www.ldresources.com/

This site has been providing resources for people with learning disabilities since 1995. 

Learning Needs.com

http://www.learningcompany.com/jump.jsp?itemType=HOME_PAGE&itemID=107

Use the search wizard to find software suggestions for special needs students.

Mercaz Harmony - International Center for Inclusion

http://www.ganharmony.org/

Mercaz Harmony offers a variety of programs dedicated to individuals with special needs and their families, opportunities and activities towards better inclusion in school, society, and life in general.

Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/

Microsoft is dedicated to developing technology that is useable and accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Learn about built-in accessibility features in Microsoft products that you can adjust to meet your needs and preferences.

Microsoft Step by Step Tutorials

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/

These Step by Step Tutorials introduce you to some of the most commonly used accessibility features. The instructions show you how to use the mouse or keyboard to navigate, select options, and change settings. This information is presented in a side by side format so that you can see at a glance how to use the mouse, the keyboard, or a combination of both.

Misunderstood Minds

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/

A companion site to the PBS special on learning differences and disabilities.  Explore stories from the show and find information and resources for parents.

National Arts & Disability Center (NADC)

http://nadc.ucla.edu

NADC is the national information dissemination, technical assistance, and referral center specializing in the field of arts and disability.

National Attention Deficits Disorder Association

http://www.add.org/

Provides information to educators, parents and students on ADD.

National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education Through Technology, Media & Materials

http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/

The National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP), located at Education Development Center, Inc., was funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs from 1992-1998 to promote the effective use of technology to enhance educational outcomes for students with sensory, cognitive, physical and social/emotional disabilities. 

NICHCY's Database of Organizations

http://www.nichcy.org/search.htm

A database of over 1,000 organizations provided by The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html?src=mr

Links to various special education resources.

Onion Mountain Technology

http://www.onionmountaintech.com/50675/

Onion Mountain Tech. believes that every student has the right to be as independent and successful as possible, and believes that there are tools, techniques, and strategies that can help kids learn and grow to the best of their abilities. They provide consultations, evaluations, training, workshops and presentations as well as a full line of low and mid tech tools in their LoTTIE Kit™ (Low Tech Tools for Inclusive Education) product line.

Outside the Box (ADHD)

http://adhd.kids.tripod.com/

Here is a place for parents and teachers who recognize the special needs of misunderstood kids who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and related learning disabilities, kids who are gifted but who struggle, kids who don't exactly fit inside the box of the classroom.

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Eduational Rights

http://www.pacer.org

PACER Center claims its mission is "to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.

RehabTool.com - Product Search

http://rehabtool.com/search.html

Find the right technology match for your needs, and assist you in selecting or purchasing assistive devices and other adaptive equipment.

Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

http://www.resna.org/

RESNA is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability. Our purpose is to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology. We serve that purpose by promoting research, development, education, advocacy, and the provision of technology and by supporting the people engaged in these activities. RESNA was founded in 1979 as a not-for-profit professional organization. There are currently over 1600 individual and 150 organizational members.

See it Right

http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_webaccessservices.hcsp

Blind and partially sighted people find many websites difficult or even impossible to use, simply because of the way these sites have been designed. RNIB want to encourage designers to create sites that are accessible to everyone. They also want to provide users with a clear mark of good, accessible website design. So they have created the 'See it Right' Accessible Website logo for sites we have assessed and judged to have achieved a reasonable standard of accessibility.

SigningAvatar

http://www.signingavatar.com/products/cddescript.html

SigningAvatar™ software uses computer-generated, three dimensional (3D) characters called "avatars" to communicate in sign language with facial expressions.

Special Ed News

http://www.specialednews.com/

Special Education News answers a need in education for in-depth, timely news related to educating students with disabilities. The Web site and newsletter are journalistic publications centered on the news of the special education field. The Web site is also designed to offer unique resources to special education professionals in one convenient place. These include places for educators and others to exchange their views, find links to important information at other sites on the Web and keep track of news and events across the country.

Special Education News

http://www.specialednews.com/

Special Education News answers a need in education for in-depth, timely news related to educating students with disabilities. The web site and newsletter are journalistic publications centered on the news of the special education field. The web site is also designed to offer unique resources to special education professionals in one convenient place. These include places for educators and others to exchange their views, find links to important information at other sites on the web and keep track of news and events across the country.

Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI)

http://seriweb.com

Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) is a collection of Internet accessible information resources of interest to those involved in the fields related to Special Education. This collection exists in order to make on-line Special Education resources more easily and readily available in one location.

Techknowledge: Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access

http://www.catea.org/

TechKnowledge is the information and referral arm of Georgia Tech's Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access. TechKnowledge's mission is to disseminate information on assistive technology as well as other issues of concern to people with disabilities, and to help all individuals work, recreate and function more independently.

Trace Center Product Design Ideas Browser

http://trace.wisc.edu/

The Trace Research & Development Center is a part of the College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founded in 1971, Trace has been a pioneer in the field of technology and disability. The Trace Center is currently working on ways to make standard information technologies and telecommunications systems more accessible and usable by people with disabilities.

University of Connecticut Assistive Technology Lab

http://www.uconnced.org/

The Assistive Technology Training Center (formerly the Assistive Technology Lab) is a unit of the A.J. Pappanikou Center for Disability Studies, a University Affiliated Program, within the Neag School of Education of the University of Connecticut. The Assistive Technology Training Center was established in 1986 with the mission of improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities, through access to technology.

Virtual Assistive Technology Center

http://vatc.freeservers.com/

This site is intended as a service to individuals with disabilities and those who work with them.

The What's and How To’s of Inclusive Education

http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/

This web site is designed for general education teachers, special education teachers, parents, and school staff to help provide some answers about how inclusive education can be accomplished. Resources for making accommodations are included as well as links to other web sites and resource lists for learning more about inclusive education. 

Wrightslaw--Special Education Law & Advocacy

http://www.wrightslaw.com/

Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about effective advocacy for children with disabilities.