for Special Education
Most of the following Web sites have been adapted for text-only use, to assist users who may be using screen readers. The sites have been organized into categories, to make it easier to find what you need.
Transition Parents Inclusion Disability Resources Technology Government Curriculum/Strategies/Intervention Cable Network Support for Teachers Virtual Field Trips Research Assistive Technology Hardware and Software Visit the School to Work Interagency Transition Partnership site (http://www.sna.com/switp/parents.html).
What is the stated purpose of the site?
What are the benefits for teachers, counselors, other school personnel or parents of the site?
What are three ideas you have for using this site?
Select one of your students or create a fictional case study student whose family has requested assistance with planning his or her transition from high school to the next phase of his/her life. Use the Web sites below to provide the student and the family with considerations and resources which will be helpful.
Student's Name Age ______
Educational Goals following high school:
Employment Goals: Independent Living Goals: Social/Recreational Goals: Related Web Sites
National Transition Assistance for Youth with Disabilities
School-to-Work National Office
National Institute on Life Planning for Persons with Disabilities
Job Accommodation Network
Visit the Parents and Educators Resource Center site (http://www.perc-schwabfdn.org/). If you were the parent of a middle school-age child with learning disabilities, list three resources that would be of interest to you at this site. Try out five of the links and describe each one.
Resources: URL: URL: URL: URL: URL: If you were a teacher of students with learning disabilities, how might this site be used to acquaint your students with the meaning of ělearning disabilitiesî?
Visit the Parents Helping Parents site (http://www.php.com). What resources from this national center are available to help you as an educator? For the geographic area in which you live, to what parent resources does this site refer you?
URL: URL: URL: URL: Related Web Sites
Parent's Place
Child and Family Studies Program at Allegheny University
Family Village
Federation for Children with Special Needs
Through the Looking Glass
Begin a resource file for parents who have a child with a particular disability, such as attention deficit disorder or learning disabilities. Visit the Web
sites in the parent section below and list the resources available from the site.
Disability area: URL: URL: URL: URL: URL: URL: URL: URL: Related Web Sites
Family Education Network
Resource Sites for Parents of Special Needs Children
National Parent Information Network
Visit the Consortium on Inclusive Schooling Practices (http://www.asri.edu/cfsp/brochure/abtcons.htm). Select an issue related to inclusion (e.g., What kinds of curriculum and instructional strategies work best for students who are included in general education classrooms?).
Summarize the three key points of the policy paper.
What are three ways you might use such a policy paper?
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Transition
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Useful URLs:
Useful URLs:
Useful URLs:
Useful URLs:
Publications, resources, searchable databases, model programs
Information on national priorities, funding, programs
Helps families with information on transition, life and person centered planning, government benefits, advocacy, guardianship, housing, supported employment
Service of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities; publications, facts about job accommodations
Parents
Activity 1
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Activity 2
Description of resources:
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News magazine of topics of interest to parents, online chat with pediatrician, bulletin boards
Numerous projects to support families and professionals with information and resources
Information, resources, and communication opportunities for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities
Massachusetts-based resource center for parents, projects, updates
Independent living movement news, resources, conferences, links
Activity 3
Age of child:_________
Description of resources:
Description of resources:
Description of resources:
Description of resources:
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Special needs channel, newsgroup, topical stories, searchable index, links
Topical articles, newsgroups, networks, links
Sponsored by ERIC; parent news, searchable database
Inclusion
Activity 1
Related Web Sites
Institute on Community Integration
Research, training, publications, resources
The Association for Persons with Severe Disabilities
Conference, newsletter, discussion groups
Activity 2
Imagine that you are trying to help parents evaluate the benefits of an inclusive setting for their child. Your school administration is also unclear as to the capabilities of your school site to offer such a placement. Brief description of child and learning needs and strengths:
Site that offers suggestions for families in deciding on placement options for their child:
Site that offers suggestions and resources for schools/teachers who are considering inclusion:
Site that offers research on outcomes of inclusive settings:
Related Web Sites
Center on Human Policy
Policy, research, and advocacy information and resources
Disability Resources
Activity 1
Visit the SERI site (http://www.hood.edu/seri/serihome.htm). Imagine that you are a special education teacher who is trying to help a general education include a student with Asperger's Syndrome. List the links that will help this teacher and start a resource file for yourself for the future with information related to Asperger's.
URL:
Description:
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Related Web Sites
Internet Special Education Resources
Nationwide directory of professionals who serve learning disabilities and special education communities in assessment, placements, therapy, advocacyAll Aspects of Special Education
Comprehensive, frequently updated links to sites, with descriptionsNational Institute for Mental Health
Publications, topical articles on learning disabilitiesNet Connections for Communication Disorders and Sciences
Learning Disabilities On-Line
Resources, essays, audio clips from experts, online newsletterDown Syndrome WWW Page
Organizations, support groups, inclusion and education resources, family essays, events, and conferencesCenter for Accessible Technology
Publications, services, links, trainingLibrarian's Guide to the Best Information on the Net
Categories of resources, linksAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Searchable database, resources, brochuresNational Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc.
News, links, resources for families and professionalsAllyn & Bacon
Textbooks, instructional resourcesDisability Net
News items, advertising, services, discussion groupsCouncil on Education of the Deaf
Curriculum materials, instructional strategies, job board, teacher preparation programsInternet Resources for Special Children
United Cerebral Palsy
Innovative projects, research, resource center, fundraisingSolutions@disability.com
Newsletter, links, products, services to promote independent livingPitsco's Launch to Special Education Resources
Listservs, links, resources, lesson plansPaula's Special Education Links
Comprehensive, resources, lesson plans, disability-specific articlesSpecial Needs Network
Canada's Special Needs Education project, links, discussion groupsClosing the Gap
Resource Guide, newspaper, articles, conferences
Activity 2
Imagine that you are a teacher of preschool students with physical disabilities. Parents of your students are planning for the holidays and request your help locating appropriate toys. Use the Toy Catalog site (http://www.nas.com/downsyn//toy.html) to help find five toy producers whose catalogs you would want to review.
URL:
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Related Web Sites
Special Olympics International
Programs, magazineNational Association for the Mentally Ill
News, research, resources, helpline, books, topical information
Activity 3
Visit the CEC site (http://www.cec.sped.org). Find out what training resources are available on the new IDEA legislation.
Imagine that you are a special educator interested in moving to a new state. What employment opportunities are available there?
State to which you want to move:
Jobs available there:
Related Web Sites
Center for the Study of Autism
Subgroups, issues, interventions, overview in different languagesNational Federation for the Blind
Links to news, events, research, jobline, resources
Technology
Activity 1
Visit the ATA site (http://www.ataccess.org). Find the resource center nearest you and determine what services they could provide which would enhance your program.
Related Web Sites
CHADD
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder support group and information/resourcesDown Syndrome Support Group and Information/Resources Network
The Association for Retarded Citizens
Support group and information/resources network for families and professionals working in the field of mental retardation.
Activity 2
Imagine that you are trying to increase the access for your students to technology in the classroom. Searching the Web sites listed below, find out which sites provide you with strategies, information on benefits and outcomes, funding sources, and technical assistance.
Name and URL of site:
Type of information:
Name and URL of site:
Type of information:
Name and URL of site:
Type of information:
Name and URL of site:
Type of information:
Name and URL of site:
Type of information:
Related Web Sites
Technology and Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children
Publications, links, conferences
Government
Activity 1
You want to do some research in your classroom about the effectiveness of a particular strategy on learning outcomes. Visit the government sites listed below and find some sites that will help you select a specific grant to apply for.
Focus of research project:
Site with grant information appropriate for my project:
Site with grant information appropriate for my project:
Site with grant information appropriate for my project:
Site with grant information appropriate for my project:
Related Web Sites
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
Information on programs and servicesU.S. Government Printing Office (Federal Register, public laws, etc.)
Federal Resource Center for Special Education
Technical assistance project, publications, conferencesNational Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
Publications in English and Spanish, news, posters, search for organizations
Curriculum/Strategies/Interventions
Activity 1
Have your students visit the Blue Mountain Arts Web site (http://www.bluemountain.com) and send a greeting card to a friend or family member.
Describe the card.
How could you use this site with students? Describe three activities related to language arts/reading, mathematics, and science that would be appropriate for the grade level, age, and disabilities of the students with whom you work.
Related Web Sites
Office of Special Education Intervention Techniques
Organized by academic skill area, descriptions of research-based strategiesBlue Web'n Learning Applications
Sponsored by PacBell; lesson plans and teaching resourcesEducation World
Searchable database of more than 50,000 sites related to curriculum ideas and hot picks of the weekKathy Schrock's Guide for Educators
Classified list of sites useful for enhancing curriculum and professional growth, updated dailyNational Geographic
Constantly changing sites, projects, and informationYahooligans
Child-safe search engine, links, discussion groups
Activity 2
Visit the Regional Technology Education Consortium page at http://rtec.org and find a software review for a piece of software that would be appropriate for one of the students with whom you work.
Software Title and Publisher:
Description:
Related Web Sites
Web66
Resources to help schools set up online projects, manage Web pages, set up networksBusy Teachers' Web Site K--12
Subject areas to search for lesson ideas, interactive Web projects, and links
Activity 3
Visit the Math Forum site (http://www.mathforum.com) and select a lesson plan that would be appropriate for your students.
Title of Lesson:
Objectives:
Grade Level: _________
Brief Description:
Related Web Sites
Frank Potter's Science Gems-Mathematics
An exhaustive collection of K--12 lesson plans and activitiesMEGA Mathematics
Innovative hands-on math lessons with activities and materials for grades 4--12.Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
Variety of math and science lessons for grades 4--12; publications, servicesFamily Math Home Page
K--6 math program; activities
Activity 4
Visit Carol Hurst's Web site (http://www.carolhurst.com) and select a book title and activity that will be appropriate in your classroom or program. Describe it below.
Curriculum Theme:
Title and Author of Book:
Lesson Ideas:
Related Web Sites
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
National lending library of books on tapeLibrary of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Services and programsChildren's LiteratureóResources for Teachers
Lesson plans, teaching ideas, links, classroom partner projects
Activity 5
Visit the Chatback Trust (http://visitweb.com/chatback) and try out this site by communicating with an historical figure. Select a figure who would be appropriate to help your students learn about a significant period in history for them.
Historical figure you chose:
Describe your interaction:
Historical figure appropriate for your students:
Lesson description:
Related Web Sites
Eduplace
Houghton-Mifflin's hands-on, cross-curricular activities to supplement their reading program, Invitations to Literacy
Cable Network Support for Teachers
Activity 1
Visit the PBS site (http://www.pbs.org) and select an upcoming educational special that would be appropriate for your curriculum/students. What support resources are available for teachers?
Curriculum area::
Title of Program::
Support materials available:
Related Web Sites
The listings below are for cable channels that offer support materials, lesson plans, and activities found nowhere else to support teachers. The content changes frequently and new features are added all the time.
CNN Interactive
Up-to-the-minute news reports with subjects classified for searchDiscovery Channel On-Line
Feature stories, expeditions, games, frequently updated
Activity 2
Visit the Jason Project site (http://www.jasonproject.org/front.html). What are the two novels for this year's project? How might you use these novels with students who have learning disabilities in an upper grade classroom studying the rain forest?
How might your students participate in the project?
Names of Novels/Authors:
Lesson Ideas:
Related Web Sites
A&E
Lesson plans and resourcesThe Weather Channel
Student Collaborative Projects
Classroom Connect
Mayaquest 98 and Africa Quest 98, along with other experiential adventures; teacher resources and lesson ideas
Virtual Field Trips
Activity 1
Visit the White House site (http://www.whitehouse.gov). What are the advantages of a virtual field trip to the White House over a real-life visit? What are the disadvantages?
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
What are some lesson ideas to go along with your virtual field trip?
Related Web Sites
Activity 2
Visit the Exploratorium site (http://www.exploratorium.edu). List five ideas for your classroom virtual field trip.
Related Web Sites
NASA's Quest Project
Online interactive projectsGlobal On-Line Adventure Learning Site
Follow real-life adventurers as they post daily reports on their travels
Research
Activity 1
Visit the CAST site (http://www.cast.org). What is universal design? Why is it so important for students with disabilities?
Universal design is . . .
It is important because . . .
Related Web Sites
John F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development
Research topics, training, and information dissemination on behavioral, intellectual, and brain developmentNational Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research
Topical articles, links to projects, resources, legislative/policy updatesNational Center to Improve Practice
Resources, links, online conferencing on issues in special education and technology
Activity 2
Visit the ERIC site (http://ericir.syr.edu). Find a lesson plan that would be appropriate for your students. List its site.
Select a topic related to a specific disability or issue in special education for a library search. How many articles did you find?
How does the ERIC search help you with your work as a teacher?
Related Web Sites
Trace Center
Information and links on assistive technology devices and software
Assistive Techology Hardware and Software
Activity 1
Visit the IntelliTools site (http://www.intellitools.com). What is an overlay?
Print out an overlay and a lesson and describe how you might use them with your students.
Related Web Sites
IBM Special Needs Solutions
News and announcements, product information, links, downloads of softwareApple Computer Disability Home Page
Lots of useful links, resources
Activity 2
Parents of a student who has severe difficulties with keyboarding and spelling want to investigate speech input as an alternative for his writing assignments. What options for speech input word processing are listed in the ABLEDATA database?
What resources does the Center for Accessible Technology provide for evaluating the advantages and disadvantages for the different systems? Visit their site (http://www.wl.net/CAT/) to find out.
Related Web Sites
Assistive Technology Services
Overview of Vermont services and resources, newsletters, online magazines, links to resources inside and outside of VermontAssistive Technology On-Line Main Menu
Comprehensive, searchable resources in AT; funding, organizations, research, policy, glossary, devices, and servicesDon Johnston Inc.
Software, assistive technology devices, classroom tips, technology tips