Resources
The resources included in these guidelines are to be used as examples for administrators, families, and educators. Although not an exhaustive list, these are the most up-to-date documents, publications and materials that are being used by professionals in the AT field.
All attached appendices may be printed and used with permission. Regular updates and reviews should be completed to ensure that the most recent information, technologies and devices are used.
Assistive Technology Funding Resources
Disability Resources.org — The DRM Web Watcher provides links to a wealth of resources for the funding of AT.
Financing Assistive Technology — Handbook for Funding (some information may be data, but it includes many resources and helpful information. Published by the Trace Center.
National Legal Services Inc. — A federally funded 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.” Its Web site includes a series of booklets on funding AT, a compendium of court and hearing decisions relating to AT, articles, legal rulings, and the like.
General Resources
Alliance for Technology Access — This Web site provides information and resources on AT that can facilitate children with disabilities to live, learn, work, define their futures, and achieve their dreams.
Assistive Technology Resources for Parents and Families — This site provides a free PDF directory with a multitude of links and resources.
Assistive Tech — This comprehensive, searchable site has an exhaustive list of assistive devices and descriptions of their key components.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Connecting Young Kids (YAACK) — YAACK deals with issues related to AAC and student. This site is full of great information and strategies for getting started with AAC. This is a great site to check out early on if you have questions or are considering AAC assessment for a student.
Center on Technology and Disability — The US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs provides information about AT to organizations that work with families of students with disabilities. Included is a family information guide to AT which is a comprehensive resource for parents and guardians on funding for AT; AT in the IEP; as well as many links to other resources on AT. The site has a resource guide titled Family Information Guide on Assistive Technology available to download.
Family Place in Cyberspace — This site is located on the Alliance for Technology Access Web site and is an initiative funded by the Stulsaft Foundation to address the AT needs of families of students with disabilities. It includes links to other family oriented resources as well as case studies, FAQs, and, general information on AT and schools.
Great Schools.org — Links to articles about family support geared towards children with learning disabilities.
LD Online — This Web site has a variety of resources for families, teachers and individuals with learning disabilities.
National Assistive Technology Research Institute (NATRI) — NATRI is an organization the University of Kentucky and the US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs support. NATRI conducts research that produces data and products that will help improve the delivery of AT services to students. Besides a host of general information, their Web site includes specific information for families in their AT Planner: From IEP Consideration to Classroom Implementation.
National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education through Technology, Media and Materials (NCIP) — This URL will take you to a resource in the library of the Web site for the National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education through Technology, Media and Materials (NCIP). Information includes Parent-Professional Partnerships in the consideration of AT, as well as function-specific topics (seating and positioning/communication).
National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) — NECTAC has extensive resources for states about using AT with children, abstracted bibliographies, links to federally funded projects about AT with infants, toddlers and children. Copies of state resource materials may be accessed by using the pull-down topical menu and selecting AT.
National Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities —This Web site includes a variety of links to resources (not AT specific).
Pacer Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) — Simons Technology Center includes links to free downloads as well as information resources that can be purchased from the center.
PBS Parents: Inclusive Communities — Includes links to a variety of resources about AT and disability-related topics.
Project Participate — This site provides families, educators, administrators and therapists with simple strategies to increase the active participation of children with disabilities. There are several pages on “Gadgets & Gizmos” that present inexpensive, do-it-yourself solutions for reading (e.g., turning pages), writing (e.g., drawing with markers), play, and home.
Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers — These centers provide training and information to parents of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and to professionals who work with them. This assistance helps parents to participate more effectively with professionals in meeting their children’s educational needs.
The Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) — ATTO provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms and includes basic information about AT, AT decision-making, device tutorials, and links to national AT resources. This is an easy-to-navigate site that contains useful information for parents and caregivers.
The New Freedom Initiative’s Online Resource for Americans with Disabilities — This is a comprehensive online resource managed by the US Department of Labor Office on Disability Employment Policy that provides links to AT information that can be helpful for parents.
Tots ’n Tech — This site for a national research program about AT that includes information about adaptations and devices for infants, toddlers and children. Includes resource information and links to many useful sites.
VI Guide — A guide to Internet resources about visual impairments for parents and teachers.
Assistive Technology and Transition Resources
Assistive Technology and Transition Package — This package contains AT protocol for transition planning, student information guide for self-determination and ATmanagement, and AT goal-setting worksheet
Assistive Technology Protocol for Transition Planning — The purpose of this protocol is to review the student’s AT needs when transition planning.
Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology and Transition Planning — This guide offers families information and resources to effectively prepare for and participate in periods of transition in their children’s lives. In family-friendly language the guide discusses transition plans and the role of AT in them, offers checklists and suggestions, and provides a range of resources aimed at helping students make successful transitions to higher education, employment and independent living.
“Hey Can I Try That?” — A student handbook for choosing AT.
Assistive Technology Web Resources
AAC TechConnect— AAC TechConnect has created Device Assistant, a resource designed to provide information on nearly 100 AAC devices currently on the market from major manufacturers. The information is provided in cooperation with all the manufacturers and the feature-match tool can be used to search for a device, and also for side-by-side comparisons.
AAC-RERC— Augmentative and Alternative Communication Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center functions as a collaborative research group dedicated to the development of effective AAC technology. This Web site includes a variety of research-based information including handouts of presentations and webcasts.
Ability Hub — The purpose of abilityhub.com is to help individuals find information on adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers.
Abledata — Provides objective information on AT and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the US.
ACOLUG — The Augmentative Communication On-Line User’s Group is an Internet Listserv that allows users of augmentative communication and their families to communicate with each other and with professionals who are interested in augmentative communication.
Atomic Learning (subscription required) — Atomic Learning’s AT professional development solution provides over 5,000 online video tutorials on common ATsoftware and hardware (e.g., accessibility features of Microsoft Office, Apple iPad, etc.).
Alliance for Assistive Technology (ATA) — ATA aims to increase the use of technology by children and adults with disabilities and functional limitations. ATA encourages and facilitates the empowerment of people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities.
Assistivetech.net — This site provides access to information on AT devices and services as well as other community resources for people with disabilities and the general public.
Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs — The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) is a national, member-based organization, composed of state Assistive Technology Act programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act. ATAP provides support to state AT program members to enhance the effectiveness of AT programs on the state and local level, and promote the national network of AT programs. ATAP represents the needs and interests of the state ATprograms and is the national voice of the AT programs.
Assistive TechnologyTobii ATI — This Web site provides training documents for Tobii products.
AT/AAC enABLES — This Web site demonstrates how AT and augmentative and alternative communication enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all aspects of life.
AT Training Online Project — Provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms.
Book Builder —This interactive online tool enables educators to develop their own digital books to support reading instruction for children aged 3—10. Here teachers can create, edit, and save universally designed texts that support diverse learners.
Bookshare — Bookshare has e-books available for individuals with print disabilities. This service is now free to public schools.
The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) — CAST is the developer of the Universal Design for Learning framework. This site includes free books, web-based software applications, and training materials.
Center for Implementing Technology in Education —This site isfunded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Education Programs. Cited.orgprovides support to teachers and administrators through identification of best practices, innovative online technical assistance tools, professional development, and communities of practice.
Click, Speak — A free Mozilla Firefox extension that reads the Internet and highlights phrases and sentences as it reads.
Closing the Gap — This Web site provides parents and educators with information that enables them to locate, compare, review, and implement AT.
Council for Exceptional Children — This Web site provides information on AT, educational technology, technology for administration and record keeping, universal design, research, current issues on technology, and resources.
Don Johnston Webinars and video training — The Web site provides training in Don Johnston products such as Co: Writer, Read: OutLoud, Write: OutLoud, etc.
Dynavox — This Web site provides free online training for products within the Dynavox company.
Early intervention for young children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other disabilities — This Web site provides guidelines for early intervention to maximize the language and communication development of young children with special needs.
The Family Center on Technology and Disability — The site provides a wide range of resources on assistive and instructional technologies, from introductory fact sheets through CEUs, for practitioners and educators.
Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT)— This Web site provides information regarding AT with the aim to improve student achievement, productivity, independence and inclusion.
LibriVox — LibriVox is a collection of free public domain audiobooks in MP3 format narrated by volunteers.
Literacy instruction for individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other disabilities — This Web site provides guidelines for teaching literacy skills to learners with special needs, especially learners with complex communication needs such as autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental apraxia, and multiple disabilities.
Mayer Johnson — This Web site provides training resources for the Boardmaker software family.
NIMAS — This Web site serves as a resource to state- and district-level educators, parents, publishers, conversion houses, accessible media producers, and others interested in learning more about and implementing AIM and NIMAS.
OATSoft — This site is dedicated to improving AT and computer accessibility through the power of Open Source development techniques. OATSoft makes the best Open Source Assistive Technology Software (OATS)easy to find.
Paint.net — This is a free image and photo editing software for Windows that can be used to create accessible quizzes, tests, and worksheets.
Pennsylvania Training and Assistive Technology Project — This Web site provides resources and videos for training.
Project Gutenberg — Searchable database for free public domain e-books in various formats.
Quality Indicators of Assistive Technology Consortium (QIAT) — This site offers an e-mail listserv allowing individuals to network with AT leaders throughout the U.S. The listserv provides a forum to ask questions regarding AT, UDL and instructional technology.
Special Education British Columbia The Learning Center — This Web site provides software and hardware AT resources that support participation, communication, and learning of students with disabilities.
Standards.Gov— This site provides background materials and useful links for locating information about the use of standards in government for regulatory and procurement purposes.
TASC — This Web site provides training modules and resources for educators, parent groups to create an awareness and understanding of AT and the role it plays in the improvement, functioning and independence of students with disabilities.
TeacherTube — This isan educational site featuring lesson plan videos and teacher/student-made videos.
TechMatrix — TechMatrix is a free tool for finding assistive and learning technology products for students. Users can generate a matrix based on subject and type of learning support.
The Tots ’n Tech Research Institute (TnT) —TnT provides information regarding AT for infants and toddlers.
WordTalk — This is a free text-to-speech program for the PC that works within WORD and Outlook.
Assistive Technology Resources for Implementation
National Assistive Technology Research Institute (NATRI) — This site includes an ATplanner designed to support teachers, families, and administrators as they work in collaboration with other IEP team members in planning and implementing assistive technology services. The planner consists of a separate booklet for teachers, families, and administrators. The planner consists of a separate booklet and is accompanied by a user’s guide that contains reproducible documents that can be used by teachers, families and administrators.
Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative — This site provides tools for evaluating student AT needs as well as implantation of AT.
Georgia Project of Assistive Technology — This site provides tools for evaluating student AT needs as well as implantation of AT.
Texas Assistive Technology Network — This site provides tools for evaluating student AT needs as well as implantation of AT.
INTEGRATE — This blog discusses the different ways in which AT can support learning and be implemented in the classroom.
Assistive Technology Resources for Administrators
Connecticut State Department of Education Bureau of Special Education — Provides information regarding the special education regulations that direct services for students with disabilities.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) — Provides information and resources that promote the health and well-being of people with disabilities through increasing technology use.
National Public Web site on Assistive Technology — Provides information on ATdevices and services as well as other community resources for people with disabilities and the general public.
U.S. Department of Education — Provides information about the regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).
American Foundation for the Blind — Provides information and resources for individuals with visual impairment.
National Assistive Technology in Education Network, Assistive Technology Trainers Handbook — This handbook provides an overview of effective training strategies and describes specific ways that these strategies can be used to improve training about AT.
Resources for Training in Connecticut
Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) — The AT program at ACES focuses on evaluation and needs assessment of the student within the educational setting; assistance with the selection of assistive devices; assisting the team with implementing and integrating the use of the AT within the student’s educational program; and education, training, and technical assistance to the student and team.
Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) — BESB is responsible for the confidential registry of people who are blind in Connecticut and provides, within available resources, comprehensive low-vision services, specialized education services, life-skills training, case management, and vocational services to individuals of all ages who are legally blind and to children who are visually impaired. The agency assists them in acquiring the skills and support services necessary to be independent.
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) — BRS provides appropriate, individualized services, develops effective partnerships, and shares sufficient information so consumers and their families may make informed choices about rehabilitation process and employment options.
Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) — CREC provides districts with customized and flexible support for AT to meet the needs of students. CREC’s AT services include AT technical assistance and training to build capacity within district; AT and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluations; membership in CREC’s AT Consortium; and RESC alliance newsletter.
Connect-Ability — Connect-Ability offers information, tools and technical assistance to job seekers and employers rather than provide direct job placement services.
Connecticut Association of Centers for Independent Living (CACIL) — CACIL provides information, counseling and support to people with disabilities who are developing a housing plan that will enable them to live independently.
Connecticut Tech Act — The Connecticut Tech Act Project is a statewide program that helps to increase access to AT for individuals with disabilities of all ages.
Cooperative Educational Services (CES) — CES identifies and provides quality educational opportunities for educators, students, families, and communities in coastal Fairfield County. CES’s AT services include evaluation and consultation and technical assistance services to assist school districts in determining the technology needs of disabled students on an individual basis.
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) — The purpose of DDS is to create the conditions under which individuals with developmental disabilities and their families experience presence and participation in Connecticut town life; opportunities to develop and exercise competence; opportunities to make choices in the pursuit of a personal future; good relationships with family members and friends; and respect and dignity.
EASTCONN — EASTCONN is one of the RESCs in Connecticut, and serves the educational needs of schools, organizations, communities, and individuals of all ages in northeastern Connecticut. The AT program at EASTCONN includes a) ATconsortium; b) AT consultation; c) AT demonstration and lending library; d) AT student assessment and e) AT training.
Education Connection — Education Connection, the regional educational service center in western Connecticut, promotes the success of school districts and their communities. Education Connection provides educational and related services.
LEARN — LEARN initiates, supports, and provides a wide range of programs and services that expand opportunities and enhance the quality of learning in the educational community. Through its leadership, resources and work with schools, students, families and other community agencies, LEARN promotes regional and statewide cooperation and provides a framework for districts to achieve their goals.
New England Assistive Technology (NEAT) Resources and Education Center — NEATprovides information and services and access to equipment and devices that can change the lives of people of all ages, with all types of disabilities.
Office of Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities (PandA) — PandA is an independent state agency created to safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut.
State Education Resource Center (SERC) — SERC provides professional development and information dissemination in the latest research and best practices to educators, service providers, and families throughout the state, as well as job-embedded technical assistance and training within schools, programs, and districts. SERC’s Technology In Education (TIE) initiative provides training, technical assistance, and materials dissemination to general and special education teachers and administrators, student support services personnel, paraprofessionals, and family members regarding educational technologies (learning tools) that may facilitate the teaching and learning process and lead to greater student achievement.