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Jump to: Choose a Topic... Assistive Technology Augmentative Communication Autism Challenging Behavior and Positive Behavior Supports Educational Rights Inclusive Education Information on Learning Disabilities Networks, Supports, and Advocacy Groups

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) is any device that helps a person with a disability complete an everyday task. Assistive technology includes many specialized devices like typing telephones for people who are deaf and motorized wheelchairs for people who cannot walk. Federal law states that school districts must consider assistive technology for any child in special education. To find out more about assistive technology, read our article Assistive Technology: How Technology Can Hep Your Child Be More Active and visit the Web sites below.

• The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
  ATA is a national network of community-based resource centers, developers, and affiliates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and to increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies. See, in particular, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Index.
• Infinitec.org: Infinite Potential Through Assistive Technology
  This non-profit corporation was formed in conjunction with the United Cerebral Palsy Association to help people with disabilities and their families access life-enhancing technology.
• LD In Depth: Technology Information
  On the official Web site of The National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, the section on technology information explores new developments in technology, and offers practical insights into the promise and realities of making technology work for people with learning disabilities.
• Neighborhood Legal Services
  Find information from the U.S. Department of Education at the Web site for the National Assistive Technology Advocacy Project, a project that supports the advocacy efforts of attorneys, advocates, service agencies, persons with disabilities and their families as they seek funding for AT services and devices.
• PLUK: Family Guide to Assistive Technology
  Created by Parents, Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK), this site provides parents with information about assistive technology, including examples of software and technology, answers to questions about funding, and recommendations for making assistive technology part of a child's education.
• State Tech Act Sites
  This lists U.S. state and territory Tech Act Projects, established by the U.S. Department of Education to provide people with disabilities and their families with information about the availability of assistive technology products and services.
• ISAAC: International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication
  ISAAC provides information and support to people anywhere in the world who cannot speak. They focus on research, education, and promoting awareness.

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Augmentative Communication

• Closing the Gap: Communication Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation
  This site provides practical up-to-date information on assistive technology products, procedures, and best practices. Visit the FAQs, online forums, or subscribe to their newsletter for more information on AAC.
• The United States Society for Alternative and Augmentative Communication
  This national association is dedicated to improving the services, supports and products used by children and adults in need of AAC. It includes information on AAC intervention, devices, funding for AAC, and related resources.
• University of Nebraska Barkley AAC Center
  This University's center on AAC has tutorials for AAC devices, information on new technology, and links to vendors and other resources.
• Simpified Technology
  This website has information about low technology solutions.
• AAC Intervention
  This website has many creative solutions for modifying materials for students who use AAC.

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Autism

• Autism-PDD Resources Network
  This site includes brief summaries on many methods of treatment, including sensory integration, behavioral approaches, and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). It also includes helpful information on parents' rights.

• Association for Positive Behavior Supports (APBS)
  APBS is an international organization dedicated to promoting research-based strategies that combine applied behavior analysis with person-centered values and systems change to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviors in individuals with challenging behaviors. The Association is made up of professionals, family members, trainers, consumers, researchers, and administrators who are involved and interested in positive behavior support.
• Autism Society of America
  This national organization is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism, their families and the professionals with whom they interact. The site includes information on autism, resources for families, news updates and links to their 200 regional chapters.
• Autism Speaks
  This organization is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; and to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society.
• Families for Early Autism Treatment
  This non-profit organization provides education, advocacy, and support for the autism community. The site includes research updates, handbooks, and links to regional chapters.
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
  This national center is a central source of a variety of information on a variety of disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth. Current information on IDEA, No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities), and research-based information on effective educational practices is available.
  
• Refrigerator Mothers
  This is the companion site to the program presented in 2002 by P.O.V., public television's award-winning showcase for independent non-fiction films. Refrigerator Mothers traces the history of widespread and discredited theories placing blame for autism on mothers. The Web site offers advice from the five mothers profiled in the show, as well as current autism resources.
• TASH: Equity, Quality and Social Justice for People with Disabilities
  Web site of an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals. Includes resources on education, health, and public policy as well as links to regional chapters.

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Challenging Behavior and Positive Behavior Support

• Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports
  Established by the U.S. Department of Education, this center offers information for schools, families, and communities on positive behavioral interventions and support.
• SPAN: Statewide Parent Advocacy Network - Positive Behavior Supports Fact Sheet
  This step-by-step guide assists in identifying the underlying causes of challenging behavior in a child and provides recommendations for responding.

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Educational Rights

• Council for Exceptional Children
  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. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically under served individuals with exceptionalities, and provides resources for professionals, parents, and caregivers.
• Exceptional Parent Magazine
  The Web site of this national magazine offers multiple online resources and articles for parents and families of children with special needs.
• Family & Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE)
  The FAPE project is a partnership that aims to improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities. It links families, advocates, and self-advocates to communicate the new focus of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The project is one of four projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education to reach parents and policymakers and represents the needs of 6 million children with disabilities.
• National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)
  NECTAC is the national early childhood technical assistance center supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). NECTAC’s mission is to strengthen service systems to ensure that young children with disabilities and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate and family-centered supports and services.
• National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
  In addition to offering online resources for parents, families, and caregivers, this site connects visitors to local resources.
• Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
  Part of the U.S. Department of Education, OSEP is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. Find out more about current legislation, grants, and parent-training and information centers.

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Inclusive Education

• Circle of Inclusion
  This site for early childhood service providers and families of young children offers demonstrations of and information about the effective practices of inclusive educational programs for children from birth through age eight.
• Early Childhood Research Institute on Inclusion
  This site, based on the research findings of a U.S. Department of Education grant, offers information about inclusion, research results and online resources.
• Inclusion
  Part of the University of Northern Iowa, this web site is designed for educators and parents to help provide 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.

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Information on Learning Disabilities

1. Struggling to Learn from PBS Parents
2. A Primer on Dyslexia from PBS Parents
3. Misunderstood Minds
   
   • LD OnLine
   • Learning Disabilities Association (LDA)
   • National Center for Learning Disabilities
   • National Association for the Education of African- American Children with Learning Disabilities
   • Schwab Learning

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Networks, Supports and Advocacy Groups

Building social supports and networking with other individuals and families is important for both children with disabilities and their families. Visit these online communities to connect with other families and find additional resources.

For Children and Parents

• Family Village
  This global community integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities for persons with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
• Kids Together
  This community site provides helpful information and resources that enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities as well as communities.

For Parents

• Beach Center on Families and Disability
  The Beach Center is a federally funded research and training center that offers training, technical assistance, and information on issues for families with children with disabilities.
• Council for Exceptional Children
  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. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically under served individuals with exceptionalities, and provides resources for professionals, parents, and caregivers.
• National Parent Information Network
  Funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education, this national network has current news, online resources, and numerous networking opportunities for parents and educators.
• Parents Helping Parents
  Parents Helping Parents is a family resource center serving parents of children with special needs.
• Parent to Parent Network of Pennsylvania
  This network and the accompanying Web site was created by families for families of children and adults with special needs. They connect families in similar situations with one another so that they may share experiences, offer practical information and/or support.
• Peak Parent Center
  The Web site of this Colorado-based organization helps parents of children with disabilities reach out and assist other parents and professionals. Their goal is to ensure that children, youth, and adults, with disabilities lead rich, active lives and participate as full members of their schools and communities.
• TASH: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps
  TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm.

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