Special populations refers to students in identified groups, such as urban, rural, and minority students, English language learners, and students with disabilities.  Resources include creative instructional strategies to meet the needs of these students using technology.

 

Related Resources

Accessibility Resources

This is an extensive list of resources linking to information on making computers and software more accessible to persons with disabilities.

Human-Computer Interaction

Accessible Book Collection

The Accessible Book Collection provides high interest/low reading level digital text to persons with disabilities. In order to access the collection, a small subscription fee is required.

Accessible Book Collection

Accessify

Accessify is dedicated to furthering the cause of web accessibility by offering free tools and other useful resources. The website includes web accessibility news, accessibility tools and wizards, an archive of features, and links to useful accessibility resources.

Ian Lloyd

Accommodations and Modifications: Adjusting the Classroom Experience

This article defines the terms "accommodations" and "modifications" and describes how they are used in the classroom for students with learning disabilities.

Schwab Foundation for Learning

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All Students Being Equal

This article presents an overview of available technologies for special education needs.  The article organizes software recommendations around several categories: literacy support, communication aids, mobility tools, vision support, and auditory assistance.  Access to Techlearning.com requires free registration.

Techlearning

Alternate Formats and Learning Materials

People with print disabilities may find the references in this resource helpful as they attempt to locate sources of digital content. This resource highlights accessible options for obtaining both digital electronic text and digital audio. Some resources focus specifically on serving individuals with print reading disabilities while others offer content more widely.

CAST

Applied Language Solutions

Translation sites and multi-lingual content will provide linguistic support to your students. There are many free translation sites such as appliedlanguage.com. (Preview them in advance of using with students as most support their services with online ads.) Teach English language learners how to use these to support vocabulary development. Share these resources in parent newsletters to promote communication.

ASL Browser

The ASL Browser was developed by the Michigan State University Communication Technology Lab. Online mini-videos create a free ASL glossary; a CD-ROM version is available for $19.95.

ASL Clip and Create

ASL Clip and Create is available on 4 CD-ROMs, offering nearly 5,000 signs for $49.95.

ASL Pro

ASLPro.com offers free online dictionaries, including an alphabetized dictionary as well as a conversational dictionary with categorical common phrases.

ASL Video Dictionary and Inflection Guide

The ASL Video Dictionary and Inflection Guide was developed by the Rochester Institute for Technology and presents signs in sentences or phrases, allowing the user to understand how signs change with meaning and inflection. The CD-ROM can be ordered for $50.00; there are demonstration video clips available on the Web site.

Assistive Technology 101

This resource includes information for parents and teachers on the basics of assistive technology (AT) and how to choose AT devices. 

Family Center on Technology and Disability

Assistive Technology and the Individualized Education Plan

This resource provides parents with necessary information about Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and assistive technology (AT). It includes tips on how parents can be active in the development of their child's IEP and the determination of his or her AT needs. 

Family Center on Technology and Disability

Assistive Technology for Children with Autism

This article provides strategies and examples for determining the best visual representation system for students with autism. Includes suggestions for low, mid and high tech tools.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities

The AUCD's mission is to advance policy and practice for and with people with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and their communities by supporting our members in research, education, and service activities that achieve our vision. On their website you can find information about ways technology is being used to educate students with disabilities.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities

Choices, Choices

Choices, Choices uses real-world scenarios to help students learn problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Clicker 5

Clicker 5 is a writing support and multimedia tool from Crick Software that uses display grids and word lists to enable young children to produce writing. Graphics and images can be used flexibly in the writing product.

Cornerstones

Cornerstones is a technology-infused approach to literacy development designed for early elementary children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Language and literacy activities are based on three video-based stories and activities from the PBS show, Between the Lions.

C-Print

C-Print is a system of delivering real-time captioning to one or more recipients from trained captionists who work with special software that helps reduce keystrokes by abbreviating common words. C-Print offers a meaning-for-meaning transcription, not a verbatim transcription. The system was developed and is maintained by the Rochester National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

Creating NIMAS Files

This resource contains detailed, step-by-step instructions on creating accessible materials for students with disabilities.

CAST

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