New's from Bookshare.org

Great News from Bookshare.org



The Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. federal Department of Education made a major five-year award of $32 million to Bookshare.org. This will further the objectives of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), by supplying high quality textbooks and educational materials to students with special needs.

This funding is to fully support all schools and students 26 years old and under with qualifying print disabilities in the United States, K-12 and post-secondary. We will provide these students with access to the entire Bookshare.org collection of accessible electronic books and to software for reading those books. As of October 1, 2007, we will cease charging these schools and students anything to join Bookshare.org. We also expect to add over 100,000 new educational titles in high quality DAISY and Braille formats over the next five years, getting students the terrific quality textbooks they need for academic success!

What is Bookshare.org? gives print and other disabled people in the United States legal access to over 32,300 books and 150 periodicals that are converted to Braille, large print or text to speech audio files.

How to Start an Individual Subscription:

Starting a Bookshare.org subscription takes three simple steps:

1. Register
2. Provide proof of disability (Now a Special Education teacher can submit this!)
3. Submit Payment
$25 sign up fee, $50 for the annual subscription

bookshare.org

Flash Cards

Are you tired of using your mom's recipe cards to make flash cards?

Create Your Own Flashcards studyPerfect is an advanced flashcard software that offers you an easy to use interface allowing you to create, study, and print flashcards for an infinite range of subjects to meet all your memorization needs. From textual cards for studying vocabulary, math, and history to graphical cards which allow you to upload images for subjects such as geographyy, art history, and sign language. Or you can even draw freestyle diagrams on your cards to make your flashcards fully customized! Using studyPerfect’s simple character drop down menus and shortcuts makes studying foreign languages as easy as uno, dos, tres! Easy and Efficient Simplicity and ease of use make studyPerfect a fun and easy study tool for all ages. Keyboard shortcuts help to give quick access to frequently used features while the colorful icons allow for clear navigation between features on the screen. StudyPerfect www.luminaresoft.com

Print Your Flashcards Print out your flashcards so you can easily study anywhere! studyPerfect gives you a wide variety of printing options. From 3X5 cards to ‘print and cut’, with studyPerfect it is possible to make printable flashcards so you can continue your learning even when you are away from your computer. Stay Organized Enjoy the comfort of knowing that your flashcards are stored safely on your computer so they are easily accessible when exam time comes around. Combine decks for finals or for studying multiple subjects at the same time! Share Your Cards It is easy to share flashcard decks with other studyPerfect users.Class study groups can divide the work load to share and merge decks with each other for more effective study skills and studying techniques. Download a Trail version at www.luminaresoft.com You can purchase the software for around $25.oo

Job Coach Training

FREE -One Day Workshop to be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and will be repeated at different sites in Nebraska: February 15, 2008-Hastings: March 17, 2008-Omaha, and April 18, 2008 Nebraska City.

The Job Coach Training is a one-day workshop for para-educators/job coaches who with students with disabilities in a community-based setting. It is recommended classroom teachers attend with para-educators. Supervisors, administrators, adult service providers, and Vocational Rehabilitation staff are also encouraged to attend.

Information presented:

*Preparing students for the adult world

*Transition: It's the law

*How to teach a skill/stages of job training

*Social Skills

*Behavior management strategies

*Role of the para-educator/job coach

*Overview of common disabilities

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Patty Galbraith-has coordinated the community-based, non-paid job training program for Grand Island Schools/Central Nebraska Support Service Program for 22 years. She also coordinates community-based instruction for elementary, middle and high school students and the Transitional Living Program for students ages 18-21 in Grand Island Public Schools. Prior to that, she was a classroom teacher for students with developmental disabilities for 11 years.

Cindy Hahn-has been the Transition Specialist for Grand Island Public Schools for the past 15 years. Prior to that, sh was counselor and vocational evaluator for Vocational Rehabilitation and a program coordinator for a residential facility in Colorado for adults with developmental disabilities.

There is no registration fee. Trainers, materials, and breaks will be provided. Lunch will be on your own and casual dress is encouraged. There is a minimum of 10 participants. Funding for the workshop is provided by the Nebraska Department of Education Special Populations Transition Project, administered by educational Service Unit # 9. The State Transition Coordinator is Lindy Foley.

Pre-Registration is required. To register contact Barb Fischer, Educational Service Unit # 9 P.O. Box 2074, Hastings, NE, 68902 Phone-402-463-5611 or email bfischer@esu9.org

AT Cupboard

Web address- webquests.esu16.org:8080/atcupboard/

The AT Cupboard has lots of great places to visit and fun activities to download.
This webpage is managed by Educational Service Unit 16. For more information on the AT Cupboard contact Phylis Graney-Education Technology Specialist in Ogallala.

Check out some of the cool websites from the AT Cupboard:
www.media-convert.com
Converting sound, text and video files
www.4teachers.org
4Teachers.org works to help you integrate technology into your classroom by offering online tools and resources. This site helps teachers locate and create ready-to-use Web lessons, quizzes, rubrics and classroom calendars. There are also tools for student use. Discover valuable professional development resources addressing issues such as equity, ELL, technology planning, and at-risk or special-needs students.

The Power of Portable Knowlege

Franklin Speaking Dictionary

Eleventh Edition of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary in electronic format, with access to over 200,000 words and 500,000 synonyms, voice output for auditory comprehension. Interactive learning with word games. Built-in ROLODEX Databank with calculator & metric / currency converter. Built-in QWERTY keyboard Displays up to 11 lines, with adjustable font size and contrast settings. Operates on 2 AAA batteries, or can buy additional AC/DC adapter, includes User's Guide. Size - 5L x 3-1/2W x 1/2D. Can be upgraded with computer download kit, and has slot for Bookman cards. Headphone slot. If you have trouble with spelling or don't like looking for the definition in a large dictionary, this is the device for you. Availble for check out from at4all.com. Give it a try!