Assistive Technology Resource Guide

Technology can open doors and break down barriers for children, youth, and adults with disabilities. Whether in the classroom or workplace, assistive technology (including devices, software, recordings, and much more) can increase, maintain, or improve the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Use this guide as a starting point to talk about assistive technology when considering accommodations in the classroom or for the job site.

Writing

Software and other technology devices are available to help prepare reports, letters, create projects, and use a word processor. The following are few examples of Assistive technology that can assist a student in writing:

Digital Recorder- To dictate responses, assist with note taking and allows teachers to record lectures.

Portable Word Processor- To use for taking notes; e.g. Braille, adapter, Alpha Smart or Dana with word processor software, spell and grammar checking capabilities.

Inspiration Software- (Draft Builder) Computer software program student’s use to plan, research and complete projects successfully. With the integrated Diagram and Outline Views, they create graphic organizers and expand topics into writing.

Proofreading and word prediction software (Write Out Loud or CO:Writer) – Software Program to help with proper spelling, punctuation, grammar and word usage.

Speech Recognition Software programs- Speech recognition programs

(Dragon Naturally Speaking) work in conjunction with a word processor. The user “dictates” into a microphone, and his spoken words appear on the computer screen as text. This can help a user whose oral language ability is better than his writing skills.

Screen Readers- These systems can display and read aloud text on a computer screen, including text that has been typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, letters), or text appearing on the Internet.

Spelling

There are many portable devices that can help students with spelling regardless of where they are.

Digital recorder- record difficult to spell words.

Hand-Held Spell checker - auditory output (e.g. Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus)

Other portable devices- Portable word processor with built-in spellchecker (e.g. Alpha Smart or Dana) or a PDA with dictionary/thesaurus software.

Reading

Assistive Technology can help when reading instructions or manuals, completing a test, or reading text on a computer screen.

Highlighter or highlighter tape

Books on tape (Audio Books/Publications)- Reading from the Blind and Dyslexic, Bookshare.org, or CD-Rom

Screen Reader- Computer with text reading software (e.g. Read please, Jaws, Wynn, Kurzweil). These systems can display and read aloud text on a computer screen, including text that has been typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, letters), or text appearing on the Internet.

Math

Assistive Technology can assist in measuring, counting change, calculating materials to complete a project, and maintaining a budget.

Modified paper (e.g. bold line, enlarged, raised line, graph pager, etc.)

Calculators- Talking calculators with speech output and headphones or calculator with large print display, large keypad

Adapted measuring devices

Internet Resources-Assessing free resources from the net related to math (e.g. gomath.com, webmath.com)

Organization and Memory

Adaptive tools can help to better focus, plan and finish task or meet deadlines.

Print or picture schedule

Organization aids (e.g. Color coding, appointment book, personal data assistant with alarms, Palm Pilot)

Digital recorder

Pagers

Watches with multiple alarms

Electronic organizers or Personal Digital Assistants-These computer based organizers can sync with an individual’s information stored on his/her computer. Additionally, there are many software programs that can be added to these organizers to assist with a specific function or task.

Cell phones- Can be used as an organization device by utilizing features such as calendar.

Speech prompting device

Listening and Communication

Listening and Communication devices make it easier to ask questions or seek clarification when interacting with teachers, friends, parents or co-workers.

Listening

Personal FM Listening System

Voice to text software

Speech enhancing devices (amplifiers, clarifiers)

Communication

TTY

Text to speech devices

Assisted Listening devices

Signaling system or environmental control units

Additional Resources

Additional Ideas on AT tools to assist students can be found at Schwablearning.org

(http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=286&f=relatedlink)

Printable Version - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dj64wp6_048rs3td4

MP3 Player For Taking Notes

Creative MuVo MP3 player/recorder

This tiny, portable device requires no cables and allows you to directly connect to a PC USB port. With a replaceable AAA battery and skip free playback enjoy your audio files everywhere you go. Carry your files to and from meetings or classes. The built-in microphone records 125 hours of high quality voice recording. It's perfect for capturing ideas and saving quick reminders anytime - anywhere. Plus record lectures, transfer them onto your laptop and slow down the voice for more detailed note taking. The high-resolution backlit LCD display allows you to see what's playing. Scroll through the playback options and select shuffle playback or play your files in the order you like it. Listen to files with either the included earbuds or standard headphones/speakers. Manufacturer's Website: http://us.creative.com/welcome.asp The MuVo Mp3 Player/Recorder can be found at www.at4all.com . At4all.com is a free online service to list and find equipment. Equipment is available for loan, for sale, for demonstration, or for giveaway. The MuVo Mp3 Player/Recorder is a loaner device that can be checked out to individuals who reside in Nebraska and have an account on at4all.com. For more information on how to check out a loanable device visit www.at4all.com!

Google Tools

Google Account - A Google Account is a user account allowing the user to access to more Google services like Google Groups. Plus it is completely free. To sign up for a google go to http://www.google.com/accounts.

Google Searches:
Basic Searches - www.google.com

Google Scholar – used to search scholarly papers www.google.com/scholar

Google Directory –The web organized by topic into categories. www.directory.google.com

Google Educator – tools for the classroom. www.google.com/educator

Google Book Search – some books that are full text and some half text that you can read online for free if you have a google account. www.books.google.com

igoogle – Set up your dashboard –
Google offers the ability to create a personalized iGoogle page that gives you at-a-glance access to key information from Google and across the web. On this self-designed page, you can choose and organize content such as:
* Your latest Gmail messages
* Headlines from Google News and other top news sources
* Weather forecasts, stock quotes, and movie show times
* Bookmarks for quick access to your favorite sites from any computer
* Your own section with content you find from across the web

Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Power Point – www.docs.google.com
Create and share your work online, edit and upload quickly
Import your existing documents, spreadsheets and presentations, or create new ones from scratch. Access and edit from anywhere. All you need is a Web browser. Your documents are stored securely online.
Share changes in real time. Invite people to your documents and make changes together, at the same time.
It's free -- you don't pay a nickel

Google Notebook www.google.com/notebook
With Google Notebook, you can browse, clip, and organize information from across the web in a single online location that's accessible from any computer. Planning a trip? Researching a product? Just add clippings to your notebook. You won't ever have to leave your browser window.

To learn about more google products go to www.google.com and search

“even more”

Slideshare

Slideshare

Slideshare (online resource) Here’s a quintessential free Web 2.0 application that consists entirely of user-generated content that is shareable, searchable, and often downloadable. As its name suggests, slideshare hosts slideshows; and anyone can create a free account and upload to slideshare. Uploads can include PowerPoint, pdf, or OpenOffice (odp) file formats.

Uploaded files on slideshare can be tagged to facilitate topical searching. As well, slideshare facilitates comments, favorites, etc. It also provides forums for specific communities built around shared interests.

This summer, slideshare became even more powerful by introducing the concept of “slidecasts”. You are now able to upload audio commentary and/or musical accompaniment. The audio file must be hosted elsewhere on the net, but this isn’t difficult to do, and there are several sites where audio files may be hosted free of charge.

I recently tried out slideshare and posted a presentation about quetions you can ask on a college visit. The process of using Slide Share was easy. On slideshare.com you will find lots of presentions and information to learn from. (Click on the slide)

Slideshare

www.slideshare.net/

Word Talk Free add-on for MS Word

Word Talk

For people with reading and writing difficulties, having text reinforced by hearing it read aloud can be very useful. Specialised programs have existed to do this for a long time, and in many cases are extremely helpful and highly appropriate and should be seriously considered, perhaps in consultation with professional advice where necessary.

WordTalk is a free plug-in developed for use with all versions of Microsoft Word (from Word 97 upwards), which can help people with reading difficulties use Microsoft Word more effectively. It will speak the text of the document and will highlight it as it goes. It contains a talking dictionary to help decide which word spelling is most appropriate. It sits neatly in your toolbar and is highly configurable, allowing you to adjust the highlight colours, the voice and the speed of the speech.

WordTalk is a free add-on for MS Word. This slide-show introduces WordTalk and shows how to install and use it. WordTalk only works on microsoft compatible computers.
(Click on the slide)

Slide presentation by Paul Hamilton

WorkTalk
www.wordtalk.org.uk/index.html

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!

'Amazing Race' Former Contestant Inspires Children With Learning Disability

September 6, 2007 Kelly McCorkle Parkinson, a former Miss South Carolina beauty queen and contestant on The Amazing Race season 7, graced the homecoming festivities of the West End Baptist Church last month and served as an inspiration to many children.

Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, she was diagnosed with a learning disability and was told by doctors that it would likely prevent her from accomplishing goals she had set for herself. However, she proved doubters wrong as she fulfilled her dreams, which included winning beauty pageants and joining the renowned reality show, The Amazing Race.

"A few months ago, I heard Parkinson speak and she was outstanding. Several of the other girls at our church also heard her and thought she made an impact on their lives and could do the same to even more," West End Baptist Pastor Rodney Cook said.

Parkinson encourages children diagnosed with a learning condition to pursue major strides in life by uplifting others with her experiences with the Miss America pageant and The Amazing Race.

"I am honored to be able to share my testimony with West End, South Carolina and the nation," Parkinson said. "I believe my testimony is a way of trying to reach people and tell them if I can do it, they can too with the help of God."

In addition to promoting education for people with learning disabilities, Parkinson is also involved in ministry, serving as a pastor's wife to her husband, Scott.

"It is an honor to be doing this full time," Parkinson said. "I believe it takes one person to minister to another, and I'm happy that we are able to do that in each other's lives."


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: The Gaffney Ledger
(Image courtesy of The Gaffney Ledger)

Questions to ask the Disability Service Coordinator When going on a College Visit

Once you narrow your college choices, it’s important that you meet with the disability services coordinator at each college to determine services and accommodations that may be available. This may help determine the college that will best meet your needs. You must request services from the disability services office each term or semester. You will not receive services unless you make the request.

What documentation must I bring to identify myself as a student with a disability entitled to a reasonable accommodation? How current must it be?
How is confidential information handled?
Who decides if I qualify for accommodations and are the accommodations I need available?
How much advance notice is needed to have textbooks recorded on tape?
Is tutoring provided? What is the cost?
Are waivers or substitutions granted to students who, because of their disabilities, cannot pass certain courses, such as foreign languages or statistic?
Are courses in basic skills or study skills offered? Are they available for credit? Can they be counted as hours toward full-time status? What is the cost?
Is there a support group on campus for students with disabilities?
Is there assistive technology available on campus?



reference: www.educationquest.org

Study Groups Online

Web site melds study groups

By Catherine Tsai, Associated Press Writer | August 14, 2007

DENVER --Aaron Allina was newly out of college with an engineering degree when a former employer asked him to do a computer programming task.

Allina scoured online search engines and forums looking for programming help. From Portland, Ore., it took him three weeks to find someone in New York who took him under his wing.

Now in Denver, Allina has created a business and Web site, StudyCurve.com, to make the search for expert help much faster.

"It goes back to wishing I had something like that," Allina said.

StudyCurve melds social networking with education to help middle school to graduate school students find experts to answer questions and to form virtual study groups, Allina said.

StudyCurve users create online profiles with a list of their classes, interests and subject areas. They can post photos, form groups on various topics, and designate "study buddies."

Users can ask questions that StudyCurve sends out only to other users who tag themselves as having expertise on that topic. They can provide answers and rate other people's answers. People whose answers get a certain amount of high ratings become listed as experts.

Unlike "expertise location systems" that some companies use to help employees answer questions or find experts in-house, StudyCurve offers the potential to pick the brains of millions of users.

The site, which hopes to attract advertisers, also allows users to look up previously asked questions and their answers.

"The focus of this particular group is excellent," said Forrester Research Inc. analyst Charlene Li, who studies social networking. "A general site for `these are my friends and this is what music I like' -- that wouldn't fly in the age of MySpace and Facebook."

StudyCurve officially launched Tuesday from ground zero, after about 30 beta testers used the site for a month.

One tester, 22-year-old Bruce Clark, said he wished the site were around when he was still in school but that he will keep using it. The digital media studies graduate has swapped ideas on typography and layouts with other testers on the site.

"It's really cool to finally have a whole forum that isn't just completely text-based and is a little more personal," said Clark, who graduated from the University of Denver this spring.

"I really like Facebook, but I don't get a lot done there."

StudyCurve represents a new wrinkle in the educational possibilities of the Internet, which already allows students to chat online with far-flung tutors or take courses over the Web.

"That's exactly the way the new generation of workers wants to be able to get assistance, where they drive the learning. They're not waiting for someone saying you have to go to class," said Forrester senior analyst Claire Schooley, who looks at e-learning.

Instead of sending an instant message to a classmate on a calculus problem, a student using StudyCurve could potentially ask millions for homework help, if the site catches on.

"It's something we're going to see more and more of, is this need to learn when you want to, when you need to and when you're on the move," Schooley said. "It's the direct opposite of sitting down and listening to somebody in a classroom."

Metropolitan Community College

Metropolitan Community College - Omaha NE

Metro makes adaptive equipment available, if needed, to students with documented disabilities. Some items are issued to students on loan, while other items are made available for use on campus. This equipment includes but is not limited to:

Zoomtext
JAWS
WYNN
CCTV
Readplease
Adaptive Keyboard with touch sensitive mouse pad
Track Ball
Split Keyboard
Tape recorders
Victor Vibes and Wave for Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic
Talking Calculator
Comteck amplification system

Disability Support Services

CONTACTS Elkhorn Valley Campus/Fremont Center Adrian Lewandowski Voice (402) 289-1315 Fax (402) 289-1398 Fort Omaha Campus Melinda Classen Voice (402) 457-2580 Fax (402) 457-2788 Larella Rangel Voice (402) 738-4099 Fax (402) 457-2788 South Omaha Campus Chris Holst Voice (402) 738-4757 Fax (402) 738-4640 Larella Rangel Voice (402) 738-4099 Fax (402) 738- 4640 Sarpy Center Deb Eppenbaugh Voice (402) 537-3841 Fax (402) 537-3834

Online Video: The Next Step

The Next Step

This 19-minute video from the Texas Developmental Disability Council presents personal stories from five Texans with disabilities who enrolled in colleges, universities or technical schools. The video is well-produced – fun and engaging. It gives first-hand observations of the higher education experience for people with disabilities. This one takes a long time to load. Be patient. It is well-worth the wait.

/www.txddc.state.tx.us/resources/publications/NextStepVideo.asp

Assistive Technology & Transition Planning

Youth learn in all environments, not just in school. Therefore, it's critical to consider utilizing assistive technology in all the youth's environments including, home, schools and in the community. For example, independent living skills include tasks such as turning on lights, calling for assistance, changing the TV channel or talking on the phone. Typically these are more frequently part of home life, not the school day. However, often the expertise on how assistive technology could be utilized to develop these skills exists with the school and community based assistive technology professionals. Successfully combining assistive technology considertations in all youth enviroments requires communications between the family,school and community agencies which allows everyone to share their perspectives and expertise.

Let's Start Planning for Transiton with Assistive Technology

The steps below do not always occure in the same order and sometimes you have to go back and try again. But, they provide a starting point for evaluating how assistive technology can benifit youth in school and beyond into adult life:

• Establish an understanding of the youth's present level of academic performance by utilizing your state’s standardized grade level student's expectations to identify both areas of strength and where additional assistance may be needed.
• Develop a written vision of life after high school in a detailed post-school outcome statement.
  
• Consider whether assistive technology can help achieve the outcomes.
• Identify who’s going to do what in acquiring the technology, providing training in its use if needed, and funding it. Also determine whether the funding source will allow the technology to go with the student into post-high school education and work.

Finally, as the old saying goes, “The harder you work, the luckier you’ll get.” Good luck.

For more information go to Impact: Assistive Technology and Transiton Planning

Mid-Plains Community College

If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation while attending this college, please contact: Robin Rankin, North Platte Community College-North Campus, 308 535-3637 or 800 658-4308, Ext. 3637; Sherry Mihel, North Platte Community College-South Campus, 308-535-3710; or Jeremy Jorgensen, McCook Community College, 308 345-8128 or 800 658-4348, Ext. 8128.

ADA Accommodations Materials at Mid-Plains Community College:
1.Talking Calculator
2.Talking Book Cassette player
3.Jaws Software
4.Write out loud Software
5. Carbon less notebook paper
6. Vibrating and Chime wireless personal pager
7.Amplified Telephone
8.Alpha Smart
9. Expert Mouse four button trackball
10.Kinesis keyboard
11. PC Armrest
12.Microcsset tapes and players to assist with recording lectures
13. Fanny packs for carrying recorders
For more information on what Mid-Plains Community College can offer contact the North Platte campus at 1-800-685-4308

Students Rights and Laws Pertaining to Transition and Assistive Technology

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a special education law which requires schools to provide a "Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)" to students with disabilities who meet eligibility criteria. Under this law, schools are obligated to provide transition services to eligible students which will enable them to develop skills necessary for adult life. These services must consider the student's transition needs pertaining to work, independent living, community integration, recreation and transportation.

IDEA and Assistive Technology

IEDA requires that Individual Education Program (IEP) teams consider whether the student requires any assistive technology devices and services.The term assistive technology device means "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a person with a disability." The term "assistive technology service" refers to any service the directly assist a person with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 requires equal access to federally funded programs, such as public school system, by people with disabilities. To be eligible for services under Section 504 you must be a person with a disability which interferes with one or more major life functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, learning, walking seeing, hearing, breathing, speaking, and working. People with a disability who are not eligible for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT (IDEA) may be found eligible for services under Section 504.

Section 504 requires the provision of assistive technology to ensure equal access to programs. A 504 plan can include transition services and technology which will allow a student to participate in course work, career exploration, career/vocational experiences such as on-the-job-training or job shadowing, as well as opportunities to explore community integration and independent living needs. This technology can include assistive listening devices, interpreters, computers for written work, accessible work stations, taped or written materials, and more.

The American's with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA is a nondiscrimination law pertaining to people with disabilities. The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. It also mandates the establishment of telephone relay services.

For more information on Rights and Laws pertaining to persons with disabilities visit www.disabilityinfo.gov

Technology is all around us

Technology is in the classroom, used in the work environment, accessed for recreation, and may even be used at your local place of worship.
When reading a register that I get in the mail I recently came across an article titled "Tuning into technology" By Jennifer Burker. A church in Rochester in New York have a new way of reflecting on the weekly scripture readings, thanks to their pastor. Instead of flipping through the pages of a Bible, parishioners now can turn on their computers or iPods, download the most recent installment of the podcast of "Your Sunday Reader," then sit back and listen as the pastor reads and discusses the week's Scripture selections. What a great way to reach people. Each week the pastor post's a new podcast. For more information go to www.stmarycanadaigua.org.

Mind Mapping

A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, and decision making.
Using mind mapping as a study techniques, helps improve your ability to learn through visual clarity and structure, which improves retention.

MindApp

Think, Organize, Communicate

MindApp helps you create elegant mind maps easily. MindApp mind maps capture and communicate your ideas and plans. MindApp is the perfect brainstorming tool whether you are doing a quick personal brainstorm or you are capturing a group session.

Try MindApp for Free www.mindapp.com
Download MindApp and see how easy it is to create powerful mind maps.
Purchase mindapp for $29.00

Quiz??????

Take your Quiz to a whole new level by using the ipod and iQuiz.

The first step to creating your very own iQuiz pack is downloading iQuiz Maker free from Aspyr. iQuiz Maker lets you write your own True or False and multiple choice questions and choose themes to customize the look of your quiz. Add a new group, add a quiz, type in your questions, select your answers — even write the messages players see when they win or lose. You can have your own quiz up and running in minutes. And when you’re done, you can save your quiz and share it with friends.

www.apple.com

Bookshare.org

Bookshare.org gives print 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.

Individual Subscriptions

Individual Subscriptions enable "all-you-can-read"* access to books in easy-to-use digital formats for a full year. Subscriptions cost 50 dollars plus a 25 dollar sign-up fee the first year.

Books and periodicals from Bookshare.org contain the full text of the publication (not pre-recorded audio) that can be read with the adaptive technology of the reader's choice. A talking software application is included with membership, providing members with one option for reading the books. The publications are also available in contracted digital Braille.

Starting an Individual Subscription

Starting a Bookshare.org subscription takes three simple steps:

1. Register

2. Provide proof of disability

3. Submit Payment
   

   $25 sign up fee, $50 for the annual subscription

bookshare.org

Pay Attention

Since most of today's students can appropriately be labeled as "Digital Learners", why do so many teachers/people refuse to enter the digital age with their teaching practices?

Click on the T.V. to find out more.

Special Education iPod Demo

Click on the T.V to learn more about iPod's in School

Ipod voice recorders

Turn your ipod into a recorder.

Click on the ipod for more information and an example of a recorder attachment.
There are lots of recorder attachments for the ipod, find the one the meets your recording and financial needs.

Learning Style Survey

One aspect of who you are is your basic learning style. Knowing your learning style can help you understand yourself and how you can succeed. Access the following website to explore your learning style: http://www.metamath.com/multiple/multiple_choice_questions.html