June 2008 — News
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Addressing the Needs of Students with Disabilities in Math (Part 1)
http://www.ncld.org/content/view/307/378/). Students might require special hardware such as larger keyboards with more space between keys, keyboards for use with only the left hand or only the right hand, programmable keyboards, touch screens, switches, eye tracking devices, head-pointing devices, track balls, and so on.Enhance Your Knowledge
Learning Disabilities Online is a comprehensive resource on learning disabilities and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. You'll find an in depth series for teaching students with math disabilities, and for understanding the nature and legal aspects of individualized education plans, accommodations and modifications.
CAST, the Center for Applied Special Technology, is meeting the demand for inclusive education policies and practices through its focus on universal design for learning. Publications on effective classroom practices and curriculum enhancements, teacher practices for engaging students with disabilities, and general and special education policies from its National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum are available on the Web or for download. One of the latter of particular interest regarding testing is Jay Heubert's (2002) High-stakes testing: opportunities and risks for students of color, English-Language Learners, and students with disabilities.
SciTrain, formerly Barrier Free Education, is a research initiative from the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access at Georgia Tech. Its purpose is to enhance the effectiveness of high school math and science teachers who have students with disabilities. This is accomplished via their research, instruction on how to make coursework, classrooms and labs more accessible, and information resources for teachers including assistive technology for their courses.
Begin your search for vendors and products for children and adults with special needs at Closing the Gap. The extensive resource directory of computer-related products includes hardware, software, other assistive technology, producers, and organizations (e.g., those in your state) that serve this population. You can search for software by disability, access aids, professional management, skill level, academic content area, or define your own category. Hardware can be found via disability and input/output device. Plus, you can search by product category. There's also a bi-monthly newspaper and annual conference.
This should serve as motivation to come back for part 2 in this two-part article series and a look at some specific products.
