Technology Resources for Education's Assistive Technology Solutions

Weekly Resources for the Assistive Technology Service Provider Community

Volume 5, Issue #30 for Week of 7/26/04

Compiled by David Grapka (email: David@Trecenter.org)

Technology Resources for Education (T.R.E.) Center http://www.TRECenter.org

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Note: Some links are time-sensitive.  Access to some may require registration or free subscriptions.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Assistive Technology is about People first, systems change second, and technology third.” David Grapka

UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

• http://www.masslive.com/living/republican/index.ssf?/base/living-1/1091004509240820.xml Technology aids learning abilities. This is more of a “current events” article . . . and a good story about one place we know of where UDL is working.
• http://babel.uoregon.edu/ Go here and click on “Virtual Language Lab.”
• http://www.cast.org/NFF/NIMAS/ National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard Report -- Version 1.0 (Technical Specifications) Students with blindness, low vision and print disabilities are expected to gain improved access to textbooks under a voluntary standardized format for electronic files, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige announced today.
• http://www.beginwithme.misd.net/ You may be interested in this project in Michigan. Its called Begin With ME! It uses UDL principals to support all students in the writing process. The project teaches teams of general and special educators how to use both assistive and instructional technology in the classroom. The project has been up and running for 3 years and involves over 65 classroom teams. Overall the results have been pretty exciting. Student writing scores have improved and teachers say they are much more confident supporting struggling students. From Susan Hardin

ADMINISTRATIVE SOLUTIONS:

* Check out the Adminsitrator’s Guide to AT on the next page!

· http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article11685.phtml Source: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Learning Point Associates and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) partnered on July 30, 2004, to offer an interactive webcast on the future of the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students, teachers, and administrators.

ASSESSMENT SOLUTIONS

• http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=5198 An Asheville, N.C.-based company says it has created an alternative to traditional treatments for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The new treatment involves asking users to move images on a computer screen using only their minds.

CONSULTING SOLUTIONS:

• http://www.rehabtool.com/video/ For the consultant/staff developer: "A remarkable documentary that illustrates how people with disabilities use assistive devices and computers to communicate, work, learn, and juggle the activities of life. The video is down-to-earth and informative. A good eye-opener!" and for only $17.95 plus S&H.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SOLUTIONS:

• http://www.whatworks.ed.gov/ On an ongoing basis, the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) gathers studies of the effectiveness of educational interventions (programs, products, practices, and policies). We review the studies that have the strongest design, and report on the strengths and weaknesses of those studies against the WWC Evidence Standards so that you know what the best scientific evidence has to say. from Matt Giugno, VESID

FUNDING SOLUTIONS:

• http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04016/start.htm The National Science Foundation’s Guide to Proposal Writing! Here is your ultimate guide to writing your next fundable grant!

NEW DEVELOPMENTS:

• http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/02/business/media/02cell.html?th The Cellphone's Next Makeover: Affordable Jukebox on the Move By LAURIE J. FLYNN Published: August 2, 2004. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1 - First there was the ring tone. Then the camera. Now the music player. In its relentless push to add features to cellphones, the wireless industry is preparing to make affordable new phones that can store and play full-length downloaded music tracks.

PARENT AND ADVOCACY SOLUTIONS:

· http://www.harborhouselaw.com/articles/choreography.ebenstein.htm , attorney Barbara Ebenstein describes choreography, music, and trial preparation as creative endeavors. Instead movement or music, the litigator uses the medium of information from documents and the testimony of witnesses. Ms. Ebenstein eloquently describes the balance of spontaneity and simplicity. When you examine documents, she explains that you should look for "negative space." Ms. Ebenstein shares her father's wise advice - "Read law!"

VENDOR PARTNER WEBSITES AND NEWS:

á         http://www.accessiblebookcollection.org    Accessible Books

á         http://www.aacconnections.com        AAC connections

á         http://www.ablenetinc.com               Ablenet

á         http:://www.alphasmart.com Announces the Neo.”

* http://www.closingthegap.com           Closing The Gap

* http://www.colligo.us/                    Where your handwriting is read back to you!

* http://www.cricksoft.com Crick Software

* http://www.ea-software.com Educational Activities Software

* http://www.enkidu.net/ Enkidu joins Dynavox.

* http://www.infogrip.com Home of the “BIGtrack”

* http://www.inspiration.com/ Inspiration

* http://www.intellitools.com                IntelliTools, Inc.,

* http://www.laureatelearning.com         Laureate Learning Systems

* http://www.magictouch.com/ The Leader in Touchscreen Technology.

* www.madentec.com Madentec

* http://www.nasdse.com                      RIATT at NASDSE

* http://www.rjcooper.com/2+2 R. J. Cooper

* http://www.sunburst-store.com Sunburst Software

* http://www.texthelp.com                   Makers of Read and Write Gold

* http://words-plus.com                       Words Plus

Please forward T.R.E.A.T.S. to your friends and colleagues who want to learn Assistive Technology Issues and Solutions. Thanks!

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

This weekly email newsletter is free and provides information useful to the community of people interested in the use of technology as a tool to help "level the playing field" for students with disabilities. 

If you have information to share that would be of value to members of our learning community, including job notices, please write and let us know. We'll be happy to share it here or at our web site. Contact, reprint, and subscription information is at the end of this document.

As always, thank you for your interest in the TRE Center and our work.  We look forward to having you share your wisdom with the people on this list and with those you serve.

Sincerely,

David Grapka, ATP, ATS,

Project Coordinator, T.R.E. Center

NASDSE Certified Assistive Technology Specialist,

RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Practitioner

Maywood School, 1979 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205

Phone: 518-456-9290.

Fax: 518-456-9289.  

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