This webliography was created for the September 2008 Technology Perspectives column that appears in Today's Catholic Teacher magazine.
There are many reputable Web sites where teachers can review the law, learn about specific disabilities, find information about differentiating instruction, and even connect with other classroom teachers across the country who are exploring ways to provide additional support to students with learning disabilities. In addition, use of technology by students with special needs is growing by leaps and bounds and there are a number of sites that offer information about assistive technologies and technology-supported instruction.
The law
- Building the Legacy—IDEA 2004: Hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, this Web site explains how IDEA impacts education.
- Individuals with Disabilities Act 2004 (IDEA)—The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA): This page provides a clear, concise explanation of the IDEA provisions related to students who attend private schools and offers other helpful information about IDEA.
- Wrightslaw: A Web site for educators, parents, and advocates which includes up-to-date information in articles, cases, newsletters, and other resources.
Information about specific disabilities
- Cornucopia of Disability Information (CODI)—University at Buffalo: The CODI site is a repository of documents related to various disabilities and also offers a directory of online resources.
- Disability and Need-Specific Resources: Hosted by the Special Needs Ontario Window (SNOW) in partnership with the Canadian Abilities Foundation and Ontario Provincial Schools, links on this page provide access to information about a wide range of disabilities including autism, blindness, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, and much more. Some sites are specific to Canadian organizations, but the information is not location-specific.
- Special Education—Hilton C. Buley Library: Scroll to the bottom of this page to find links to information about specific disabilities. Canadian and U.S. sites are referenced.
Classroom Management and Teaching Strategies
- Enabling Education Network—University of Manchester: Housed in England, this international network provides materials designed to help educators reduce the barriers faced by educators who are working to ensure that all students have equal access to learning programs.
- Outside the Box! Especially for Teachers: Scroll down to find links to a wealth of multidisciplinary lesson plans, projects, and more that are all recommended for use with students with special needs.
- Teaching Strategies: Also hosted by the Special Needs Ontario Window (SNOW) in partnership with the Canadian Abilities Foundation and Ontario Provincial Schools, links on this page provide access to information ranging from basic classroom routines to tips for working with students with a variety of special needs.
Assistive Technology
- Assistive Technology Training Online Project—University at Buffalo: Assistive technology basics along with tutorials and resources for teachers exploring use of assistive technology with special needs students.
- Accessibility—Microsoft: This PC-based site includes product information, tutorials and online guides for accessing and using features, and articles.
- Accessibility—Apple: Mac users can learn about accessibility features in OS X and other software commonly found on Macs such as Garage Band or Keynote.
Web 2.0 tools and special education
- Successful Teaching: In this blog post, a veteran special education teacher offers several tips for preparing special needs students to use Web 2.0 tools.
- Free Resources from the Net for (Special) Education: Canadian Paul Hamilton maintains this blog which reviews Web 2.0 tools and free software that can be used with special needs students.
- Sesame Street Podcasts—CTAP Region IV: This site is very popular with teachers of primary-aged students with special needs. You will need to have iTunes downloaded on your computer to access this collection of podcasts for young children.