ETPRO

      Educational Technology Policy, Research, & Outreach

 



















Accessibility/Universal Design and Assistive Technology

Accessibility Guidelines Assistive Technology Search Engines Organizations Other Resource Links
Papers/Articles Learning Disabilities Research Projects Statistics
Universal Design Future Directions Online Resources  

 

 

United States Access Board for Accessible Design Federal agency commmitted to accessibility design
Title Description

Accessibility Guidelines
Accessibility Guidelines Information about web content accessibility and Federal guidelines with links to tools, resources, and training (Kansas State University)
AT accessibility resources From OIT UMCP
Good overview From the State of Kansas
Inaccessibility of Web Sites A common method of limiting access to services made available over the Web is visual verification of a bitmapped image. This presents a major problem to users who are blind, have low vision, or have a learning disability such as dyslexia. This document examines a number of potential solutions that allow systems to test for human users while preserving access by users with disabilities
Jim Thatcher Tutorials and more

Assistive Technology Search Engines
ABLEDATA Federally funded project that provides information of AT Go straight to the Product Database Search Engine
Apple's Disability Solutions Search Database Apple Computer company provides information of assistive technology.
Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access Georgia Tech
Closing the Gap Information on technology resources for people with special needs (use to be free now must join --but a trial period solution database can be accessed)

Universal Design
ABLEDATA Federally funded project that provides information on AT
Apple's Disability Solutions Lists the MAC version of accessibility features
Archimedes Project Design issues for tomorrow's technology: Stanford
AssistiveTech.net Search Engine Searchable database helps you target solutions, determine costs and find vendors of AT products from Georgia Tech
Breaking New Ground Resource Center (Purdue) Reducing Barriers for Farmers with Disabilities. But website is excellent example of proper Universal Design
Center for Applied Special Technology: Teaching Every Student

With Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a blueprint, CAST researches and develops educational strategies and tools that integrate new brain research and multimedia technologies with effective teaching practices.

Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access Development, evaluation, and utilization of assistive technology (technologies or devices designed to allow or improve performance of activities of daily living or work). From Georgia Tech
The Center for Universal Design North Carolina State University is a national research, information, and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products. Good overview of UD history.
Closing the Gap Information on technology resources for people with special needs (use to be free now must join --but a trial period solution database can be accessed)
Complete Open Source This book answers two questions: "Why should I make my web site more accessible?" and "How can I make my web site more accessible?"
CODI: Cornucopia of Disability Information. Portal for community resource for consumers and professionals by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas. (Archives)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) The largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted.
A Curriculum Every Student Can Use Design Principles for Student Access: (Policy Briefing)
Cynthia Says Web Content Accessibility Validation Tools The HiSoftware Company CynthiaSays portal is a joint Education and Outreach project of HiSoftware, ICDRI, and the Internet Society Disability and Special Needs Chapter.
Designing More Useable Documents This section of Designing a More Usable World is dedicated to cooperative efforts linked toward creating more usable documents for all. A number of interrelated efforts and projects are listed below. Go to Digital Books. Many of these links are not updated but read the Daisy section.
Deubel, P. (2003, Fall). Learning from reflections: Issues in building quality online courses Issues in building quality online courses
DisABILITY Resources on the Internet Resources to step you through
Disability Solutions Search Database From Apple
Distractability Simulation This is not a true simulation of a cognitive disability. Rather, it is a simulation of the effects of cognitive disabilities. The confusion, disorientation, and slow site navigation that you will experience in the simulation are the effects that we are trying to achieve
Don Johnston catalog Explore resources--many are geared to ALL students
Dreamms for Kids, Inc. A Non-Profit Information Clearinghouse Facilitating Technology Access for Children with Special Need
DSC Disabilities Statistic Center More Statistics at CODI
EASI Access to Information for Persons with Disabilities. Premiere Provider of Online Training on Accessible Information Technology for Persons with Disabilities reaching more than 4,000 people in over 3 dozen countries since 1993
Ensuring Access to the General Education Curriculum (Research Connections, Number 5, Fall 1999, p.2). Table of Contents
ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education (ERIC EC) Overview
Explore Other On-line Resources of Digital Texts
THE FUTURE IS IN THE MARGINS: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DISABILITY IN EDUCATIONAL REFORM New technologies will not make less work for teachers. But they will transform the work—making it more nutritious (in Piaget’s sense of aliments for learning), more differentiated, more engaging, and more democratized. Perhaps most important, these new tools will change our very concept of learning, and thus of teaching

by David Rose, Ed.D. and Anne Meyer, Ed.D. (CAST) - also can be viewed as pdf http://www.air.org/forum/AbRose_Meyer.htm and Archived PDF [6 pages-pdf].
Hermish Accessibility Access Tools Web guidelines in compliance to the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), a set of guidelines with different priority levels. The European Union suggests that websites have at least Priority level 1. The United States have their own set of guidelines named Section 508. Hermish can check your document for Section 508 compliance
HomeSite Tolerance.org Check out the bias interactive quiz, surveys and other tolerance resources
How do people with disabilities surf the web? (This video requires you to use RealPlayer) DO-IT Video on the World Wide Web
How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School Published through the National Academies Press.

IBM Special Needs Solutions

 

 IBM version of accessibility feat
Illinois Online Network: Instructional Strategies for Online Courses Learn more about a variety of strategies that help online components meet multiple learners (gives insight into how I design online courses)
Illinois Online Network: Learning Styles Resources. What type learner are you?
Inclusive Schools Mission states; developing schools & communites that are welcoming of all children and youth
Job Accommodation Network A free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities
Kansas State University Accessibility Guidelines Excellent resources, tools and tutorials
Learning Styles and Strategies Richard Felder's short article:learning styles model and implications of learning styles for instructors and students.
Low Vision Simulation Test Web developers who do not have visual disabilities often have difficulty understanding the problems users with low vision face when accessing web pages that are not designed with their needs in mind. This simulation provides and opportunity for users to experience a web page as someone with a visual disability might see it.
LRE for LIFE Project Scroll to the Multiple Intelligence
Maryland Transition Initiative Good Overview
Mass Technology Leadership Consortium: Universal Design for Learning portal (MA-TLC) was established in the spring of 2000 to develop a program of activities that will support educational leaders in public, private and parochial schools throughout Massachusetts in putting technology to effective use to improve teaching and learning. Has excellent references to UD
Mass Technology Leadership Consortium Universal Design for Learning portal
Michigan Virtual University Instructional Design Standards for Quality Online Courses Portal QuickTools for standards and usability and accessibility indicators
Screen Reader Simulation This simulation will help you to understand what it is like for a person with vision loss or low vision to access the Internet using a software program called a "screen reader."
Section 508 Website Section for web accessibility guidelines set by the government
Special Connections Universal Design Case Study Provides resources in relation to case study on universal design for learning, literacy, strategies for accessing social studies/science curriculum, powerful instructional approaches, and instructional accommodations
Special Education Resources From the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia - Included here are such topics as general sources about disabilities, resources about assistive technology, discussions about special education, and links to regional resource centers
Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) This site provides a collection of Internet accessible information resources for those involved in the special education field.
Speech Recognition Resources Links to Speech recognition software and assistance
Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning David H. Rose & Anne Meyer. ASCD, 2002. Full text online
Tools for Life Increases access to At for general student population (also includes resources and organizations
Trace Center More useable design (Universal Design) downloadable resources as well-PowerPoint and other multimedia
Trace Center Resources Computer and software guidelines for accessibility
UDL model lesson examples Numerous lesson plans that incorporate UD
UMCP Diversity Database The University of Maryland's Diversity Database is a comprehensive index of multicultural and diversity resources
United States Access Board for Accessible Design Federal agency commmitted to accessibility design
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy and practice affecting the employment of people with disabilities
Web Accessibility Initiative WAI: Strategies, guidelines, resources to make the Web accessible to people with disabilities
WebAim Expanding the Web's potential for people with disabilities. Tools and tutorials
Web Aim Tutorials WebAIM recommends first reviewing the basic concepts of accessibility (under the "concepts" menu below) and then exploring the specific techniques (under the "techniques" menu). Don't just learn the techniques. The concepts will help you understand the rationale behind the techniques.
WebXAct Accessibilty Test WebXACT is a free online service that lets you test single pages of web content for quality, accessibility, and privacy issues.
Web Content Accessibility From Kansas State University-a wealth of resources, tools, checklists and tutorials
The Web Design Group Founded to promote the creation of non-browser specific, non-resolution specific, creative and informative sites that are accessible to all users worldwide.
Wiggleworks An early literacy program from Scholastic, offers an illustration of how these design features are utilized.
Wireless for the Disabled The center is designing wireless aids that target a variety of disabilities, including mobility, vision, and hearing impairments. The researchers use off-the-shelf components to build these systems “so that they’re affordable and available,” from Technology Review

Other Resource Links

ABLEDATA Federally funded project that provides information of AT Go straight to the Product Database Search Engine
The Access Board The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities.
Accessibility Wizard for Office The Illinois Accessible Web Publishing Wizard for Microsoft® Office provides a simple way to create highly accessible and standards compliant web versions of Office documents that are more accessible and usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.
AccVerify Implements programmatic verification and reports all errors/non-compliance with the standards, plus checklist for criteria that can't be verified programmatically. Verifies the "all else fails" text version. Differentiates between 508 and WCAG. It allows for a variety of report formats, including EARL, and provides an API for developers to incorporate it in other projects. Resources and video clips also included.
Advanced Barriers [Word ... PDF] Provide interview excerpts (audio clips) from a course that looked into Section 508 accessibility standards and the Web Accessibility Initiative’s guidelines as its measure of accessibility
American Youth Policy Forum Provide learning experiences for national, state and local policymakers and practitioners for improving opportunities, services and life prospects for youth
Apple's Disability Solutions Since 1985 Apple has been committed to helping people with disabilities access their personal computer. Apple’s commitment to accessibility is evident throughout the Mac OS X operating system which is by design, easy to use, but also includes a wide variety of features and technologies specifically designed to provide accessibility to users with disabilities.
AT Categories Overview [PPT ... PDF] Provides overview of assistive technology/universal design
Augmentative Communication A Social Network
Closing the Gap Information on technology resources for people with special needs (use to be free now must join but 60 trial period)
CODI Cornucopia of Disability Information. Portal for community resource for consumers and professionals by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas.
Computer and software guidelines for accessibility For making computers and software more usable for all, many of the major computer and software developers organized an outline with four major topic areas: Computer and Software Developers, Computer Access Program at Trace, Software Toolkits, Other Computer Access Resources the history of and links to each of the operating system related toolkits.
Tom Cutshall's attempt to unblur the definitions Not sure if I agree but good overview, and food for thought as to how AT may become "engulfed" in this generic definition. Connection with IT
Definition/description of disabilities as described in federal law IDEA 97 Provides news and information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 1997 (IDEA), the nation's law that works to improve results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
Department of Education Forum on Technology in Education Envisioning the Future White papers and briefings
Designing a more useable world Provides general universal design information, standard, and guidelines, UD information by topic, and UD tools and resources.
Dick Banks on Multimedia Accessibility. This is a video/audio clip - Click the link to begin the presentation or view the transcript.
District Technology Planning for All Students:
Helping to Meet the IDEA '97 Mandate. By Denise Ethier, Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC)
Several resources (based on a workshop on the topic) related to District Technology Planning for All Students. Scroll down to see the case study scenarios (also make note of the options with and without images and graphics)
Don Johnston catalog Explore resources--many are geared to ALL students
For more information about COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) see Division of State Documents COMAR is updated biweekly corresponding with the effective dates in the most current Maryland Register issue.
Deubel, P. (2003, Fall). Learning from reflections: Issues in building quality online courses. This article supports a position (authorship, implementation, and consumer perspectives should be considered when judging the quality of an online course) with reflections of an adjunct professor, who implemented a doctoral level course, Instruction Delivery Systems, during 2001 at Nova Southeastern University that had been authored by another professor in the School of Computer and Information Sciences.
Differences between 504. 508 and COMAR - Section 504 prohibits discrimination due to disability See: Rehabilitation Act of 1973, As Amended through 1998
DisABILITY Resource on the Internet Provides disability information and resources
EdTechLeaders EdTech Leaders Online (ETLO) is a capacity-building online program for K-12 school districts, state departments of education, regional service centers, teacher training institutions and other educational organizations to enable them to provide effective online learning programs for teachers, administrators and students
Evaluation, Repair and Transformation for Web Content accessibility W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) provides information of Web accessibility evaluation tools, which are software programs or online services that help to determine if a Web site meets accessibility guidelines.
Federal Law 508 The Maryland Regulation is modeled on the Federal 508 technology standards.
How do people with disabilities surf the web? (This video requires you to use RealPlayer) DO-IT Video on the World Wide Web
IEP For more information on IEP's visit IEP in the ldonline LD In-Depth section.
Illinois Online Network: Learning Styles Resources Try several of the interactive surveys. What type learner are you?
Illinois Online Network: Instructional Strategies for Online Courses. Learn more about a variety of strategies that help online components meet multiple learners (gives insight into how I design online courses)
LD Online
Leadership and New Technologies research papers portal LNT library provides a selected and annotated set of resources found to be most useful by members of the LNT community.
Michigan Virtual University Instructional Design Standards for Quality Online Courses-portal QuickTools for standards and usability and accessibility indicators.
Microsoft Accessibility  Review a few of the case studies. There are text versions and also GREAT video/audio clips of real life scenarios
Microsoft Word State Tutorial [Word ... PDF] Provides MSDE accessibility tutorials
MSDE also includes an overview MSDE, in collaboration with the Center for Technology in Education (CTE), has been conducting workshops for teams of staff from local school systems to assist them in implementing this regulation.
NY State Education Department TWWIIA Toolkit Toolkit and other resources
Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) University of Kentucky Read through the New- Complete Version of the Quality Indicators, paying attention to the areas of Common Errors (for example page 4). Also skim the QIAT Matrix.
Recordings for Blind and Dyslexic RFB&D—the nation’s educational library for those with print disabilities—provides materials for all people who cannot effectively read standard print because of a visual, perceptual or other physical disability.
SETT framework Read About Joy Zabala, and About The SETT Framework-old and revised.
Speech to Text Software “Speaking to Write” project aims to realize the potential of speech recognition for secondary students with disabilities. This Web site provides information and resources base on the project’s experience and research.
U.S. Department of Education There are a variety of resources (perhaps the National Technology Plan is of Interest) However, the focus is to note the use of multiple ways of communication (versions of both audio and video as well as straight text)
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) The Office of Disability Employment Policy in U.S. Department of Labor provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy and practice affecting the employment of people with disabilities.
Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 From The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's (CMS)
Unified Web Site Accessibility Guidelines The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is the national network of community-based resource centers, developers, vendors, 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.
Videos but also the text versions This series of video case studies provides a look into the careers of six professionals with various impairments who are using assistive technology products in careers across many industries.
Web Accessibility for All: Failure Is Not an Option Provides an array of resources—from online and downloadable tutorials designed to help you create accessible web content, to tools to help your organization build its capacity to maintain electronic accessibility
Web Accessibility Initiative WAI provides guidelines which are widely regarded as the international standard for Web accessibility; support materials to help understand and implement Web accessibility; resources, through international collaboration.
Web Content Accessibility From Kansas State University-a wealth of resources, tools, checklists and tutorials
The Web Design Group Founded to promote the creation of non-browser specific, non-resolution specific, creative and informative sites that are accessible to all users worldwide.
WebAIM  
Western Washington University TWWIIA FAQ's and other resources

Research Projects
Archimedes Project (design issues for tomorrow's technology) Stanford
ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education (ERIC EC) Provides database of published professional literature in special education, gifted education, and related services.
ERIC/OSEP Topical Brief-Summer 1998 A CURRICULUM EVERY STUDENT CAN USE: DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR STUDENT ACCES ERIC/OSEP Special Project

Papers/Articles
A brief introduction to the SETT framework Provides brief introduction to the SETT framework, an organizational tool to help collaborative teams create Student-centered, Environmentally useful, and Tasks-focused Tool systems that foster the educational success of students with disabilities.
Assisitve Technology Evaluation Guide for Students with Learning Disabilities Learning Disabled [PDF] Provides assistive technology evaluation guide for students with learning disabilities by encouraging considering what strategies, materials, equipment, and technology tools has the student already need to address the concerns.
CODI Portal CODI (Cornucopia Of Disability Information) provides community resource for consumers and professionals by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas.
Computer Access for Students With Special Needs, vignettes of students in on-line environments Short Paper: This project demonstrates the unique ability of CMC to mainstream disabled learners in the educational system.
Day, S.L., & Edwards, B.J. (1996). Assistive technology for postsecondary students with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 29(5), 486-492. This article lists types of assistive technology appropriate for use with persons with learning disabilities at the postsecondary level and discusses ways in which assistive technology enhances learning.
Designing More Useable Documents This section of Designing a More Usable World is dedicated to cooperative efforts linked toward creating more usable documents for all. A number of interrelated efforts and projects are listed below. Go to Digital Books. Many of these links are not updated but read the Daisy section
THE FUTURE IS IN THE MARGINS: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND DISABILITY IN EDUCATIONAL REFORM by David Rose, Ed.D. and Anne Meyer, Ed.D. (CAST) - also see http://www.air.org/forum/AbRose_Meyer.htm [6 pages-pdf].
Gitlow, L. (2000). Assistive Technology. This paper addresses assistive technology and universal design for learning, and articulates what technologies are changing our concept of the nature of learning, media, learner, teaching & learning, and assessment.
Online Texts [Word ... PDF] Provides annotated bibliography of web sites, which are available online libraries and bookstores of digital text.
OS Windows Tutorial [Word ... PDF] Provides MSDE accessibility tutorial
Quality Indicators for AT services A report on the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) Consortium, which has focused its efforts on defining a set of descriptors that could serve as over-arching guidelines for quality assistive technology services.
Sagstetter, M. & Walch, M. (2002). Including all students in any activity. 2002 Technology and Persons With Disabilities Conference Proceedings. Provide a conference proposal: In this session, the author will introduce an activity framework to ensure every student is included in the regular education activities. The framework provides educators with the opportunity to consider the state standards, the intended outcome for the activity, the student objective and to identify at each step of the activity how assistive technology can be incorporated making it possible to include all students in any activity.
Several FREE webcast as scheduled. Registration is required.
Software and Web-based Accessibility [PPT] Addresses things to consider in applying software and web-based accessibility into assistive instruction.
Using Distance Education Technologies to Overcome Physical Disabilities (short paper-outdated but still insightful) - Paper delivered in Milton Keynes, England 1988 - Republished in Mindweave by Kaye and Mason in 1989.
Wearable low-vision device gives the sight-impaired a cyber helping hand   What do you get when you cross a computer and a seeing-eye dog? That's easy, according to a group of student researchers at the University of Washington's Human Interface Technology Laboratory: a first-of-its-kind Wearable Low Vision Aid. links to proptype found at: http://www.hitl.washington.edu/projects/wlva/
Wireless for the Disabled - from Technology Review
Zabala's PDF or 10 things everyone needs to know about AT. Presents note-taking guide: 10 things that everyone needs to know about assistive technology

Learning Disabilities
Brain Images Show Individual Dyslexic Children Respond To Spelling Treatment Brain images of children with dyslexia taken before they received spelling instruction show that they have different patterns of neural activity than do good spellers when doing language tasks related to spelling. But after specialized treatment emphasizing the letters in words, they showed similar patterns of brain activity.
Bright Solutions for Dyslexia Methods, research, classroom accommodations, technology tools
CAST Teaching Every Student

Supports educators in learning about and practicing Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
Charles Schwab's Secret Struggle From Stanford Magazine [PDF]
International Dyslexia Association: 2005 Conference Numerous conference handouts
Learning Disabilities Summit: Building a Foundation for the Future White Papers In August 2001, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education, showcased research papers on key issues in the identification and classification of students with specific learning disabilities. Below
National Research Center on Learning Disabilities The National Research Center on Learning Disabilities (NRCLD) conducts research on the identification of learning disabilities; formulates implementation recommendations; disseminates findings; and provides technical assistance to national, state, and local constituencies.

Reading and the Brain Hosted by Henry Winkler, who has had his own struggles with reading, Reading and the Brain explores how brain scientists are working to solve the puzzle of why some children struggle to read and others don't. Startling new research shows the answer may lie in how a child's brain is wired from birth.
Schwab Learning A comprehensive site to help parents help kids with learning difficulties

Papers - Learning Disabilities
Evaluation of the Dyslexia Training Program: A Multisensory Method for Promoting Reading in Students with Reading Disabilities The development of reading and spelling skills in students with dyslexia, by definition, is delayed and often remains delayed despite years of instruction. Three qualities are thought to facilitate reading development in these children: the provision of a highly structured phonetic-instruction training program with heavy emphasis on the alphabetic system, drill and repetition to compensate for short-term verbal memory deficits, and multisensory methods to promote nonlanguage mental representations. by Oakland, Black, Staford, Nussbaum, and Balise Journal of Learning Disabilities 1998
Lighting a Fire Under His Learning Disabilities Great article on the struggle and ultimate success of a boy who was both gifted and learning disabled (dysgraphia and ADD).
A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America’s Brightest Students America’s schools routinely avoid academic acceleration, the easiest and most effective way to help highly capable students. While the popular perception is that a child who skips a grade will be socially stunted, fifty years of research shows that moving bright students ahead often makes them happy.
Orthographic similarity and phonological transparency in spelling In a brief, exploratoryspelling intervention, second through fourthgrade students, divided in two groups of 70 students, learned to spell Latin loan wordst hat ended in -ion with either alinguistically explicit or implicit method. by Post and Carrecker Reading and Writing volume 15, issue 3, pp. 317(24)
Sound-symbol learning in children with dyslexia - Available from EBSCO This study evaluated the effect of sound—symbol association training on visual and phonological memory in children with a history of dyslexia. Pretests of phonological and visual memory, a sound—symbol training procedure, and phonological and visual memory posttests were administered to children with dyslexia, to children whose dyslexia had been compensated through remedial training, and to age- and reading level—matched comparison groups. by Gang and Siegel Journal of Learning Disabilities volume 35, issue 2, p. 137(21) 2002
Writing made easier Teaching strategies. by Richards on LD online

Statistics
CODI Archives Contains the Digest of Data on Persons with Disabilities 1992, a NIDRR publication. 'This document draws from many sources of published data and narrative explanations issued by federal statistical agencies and other sources on the subject of disability.'
DSC Disabilities Statistic Center The Disability Statistics Center produces and disseminates policy-relevant statistical information on the demographics and status of people with disabilities in American society.

Organizations
Complete Open Source This book answers two questions: "Why should I make my web site more accessible?" and "How can I make my web site more accessible?"
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. The voice and vision of special education
Creating an Accessible Webpage Provides steps that show how to create a simple, accessible web page using Netscape Composer.
DisABILITY Resource on the Internet Provides a variety of resources on assistive technology for students with disability
DREAMMS for Kids, Inc. This Non-Profit Information Clearinghouse provides facilitating technology access for children with special needs.
EASI, Access to Information for Persons with Disabilities EASI is the Premiere Provider of Online Training on Accessible Information Technology for Persons with Disabilities
HandsNet HandsNet has aggregated current human services and community development information important to low-income communities and communities of color. It seeks to foster comprehensive thinking on approaches to improving the lives of people living in these communities.
IBM Special Needs Solutions IBM software products and industry solutions help to innovate and become more flexible, while making the most of current resources and controlling costs.
IEP Tutorial Provide tutorial in relation to how to write effective individualized educational programs for students with disabilities
Individual Differences in Learning Association Inc A parent-led, non-profit organization, promoting awareness, understanding and change in the approach to educating and supporting students.
Job Accommodation Network JAN provides a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and educating callers about self-employment options.
Maryland Assistive Technology Co-op The Maryland A.T. Co-op is a program of AT: LAST, Inc. that provides discounted purchasing and training opportunities to schools, agencies, organizations, and families.
Trace Center Resources Computer and software guidelines for accessibility
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) The NAGC is an organization of parents, educators, professionals, and community leaders who address the unique needs of children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents as well as those children who may be able to develop their talent potentials with appropriate educational experiences
National AT Research Institute Good overview of Assistive Tech mandates and 508 and 504
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) NICHCY is the national information and refereal center that provides information on disabilities and disability related issues for families, educators, and other professionals with a special focus on children and youth (birth to age 22).
National Federation for the Blind Provides public education about blindness, information and referral services, scholarships, literature and publications about blindness, aids and appliances and other adaptive equipment for the blind, advocacy services and protection of civil rights, development and evaluation of technology, and support for blind persons and their families, members of the NFB strive to educate the public that the blind are normal individuals who can compete on terms of equality
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) Intends to generate, disseminate and promote new knowledge to improve the options available to disabled persons. The ultimate goal is to allow these individuals to perform their regular activities in the community and to bolster society’s ability to provide full opportunities and appropriate supports for its disabled citizens.
NETS resources To help educators meet the Equity standards
pwWebSpeak Release 2 This is a browser that translates Web content to speech for sight-impaired Web users
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer (T2RERC) is a federally funded Center whose mission is to facilitate the transfer and commercialization of innovative technologies to the marketplace for people with disabilities and the elderly.
RESNA Technical Assistance Project Promoting research, development, education, advocacy and provision of technology; and by supporting the people engaged in these activities
Special Education Resources from the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia Included here are such topics as general sources about disabilities, resources about assistive technology, discussions about special education, and links to regional resource centers
Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) This site provides a collection of Internet accessible information resources for those involved in the special education field.
Speech Recognition Resources on the Web Provides annotated bibliography of resources: links to speech recognition web sites
Trace Research and Development Center Designing a more useable world
UCPA Assistive Technology Funding United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability
The Web Design Group Founded to promote the creation of non-browser specific, non-resolution specific, creative and informative sites that are accessible to all users worldwide.
WebABLE WebABLE is the authoritative Web site for disability-related internet resources. The WebABLE site goal is to stimulate education, research, and development of technologies that will ensure accessibility for people with disabilities to advanced information systems and emerging technologies.
Web Usability Provides explanation about the relationships between author's credibility and content, and good quality of design of web site

Future Directions

Floridi, L. (1998). Rheingold's Brainstorms: Disinformation Superhighway? Addresses issues: What we might do instead is to turn our attention to the brave new world of the Internet, and ask whether the problem of disinformation might soon afflict the new interactive media as well; The management of information online is going to affect many aspects of our life increasingly commonly.
Preparing for the Revolution: Information Technology and the Future of the Research (2002) Addresses an issue: The information society has greatly expanded the need for university-level education; Lifelong learning is not only a private good for those who pursue, it but also a social good in terms of our nation’s ability to maintain a vibrant democracy and support a competitive workforce.
SETDA Is the principal association representing the state directors for educational technology. SETDA promotes national leadership in educational technology to support achievement in lifelong learning, provides professional development for state educational technology directors and builds partnerships to advance learning opportunities and improve student achievement through technology.

Online Resources



Educational Technology Policy,
Research, & Outreach
http://www.edtechpolicy.org//
dpruitt@umd.edu
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