August / September 2001

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If only it was true that you could load a software program, sit down, and start dictating to your computer! Speech recognition is quickly becoming a "mainstream" product, with multiple vendors, that appears in mass on the shelves of every computer store and in every catalog. The truth is, it's only as successful as the determination of the user and often the expertise of the trainer.Over the past five years, Fairfax County Public Schools Integrated Technology Services (ITS) has made speech recognition available for students with physical disabilities. The number of students using the software has grown from two to 40 within five years.

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Ask struggling readers, "Would you rather read from the computer or read from a print book today?" Ask struggling writers, "Would you rather write with the computer or with paper and pencil today?" Then ask yourself, "Do I have enough computers to fill the requests I just got from asking those first two questions?"What's the draw? Literacy technology - from digitized CDs to talking word processors - can be engaging, supportive, and forgiving. It can provide a personalized and private world in which you learn at your own pace, without embarrassment or fear of failure. It can enliven struggling students (way cool way to learn).

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Bill has been busy moving and is taking some time off. Richard shares his experience with cable Internet. Richard: Cable Internet finally hits the woodsI've been supporting a number of Web sites, and dealing with hundreds of e-mails a week for many years, all with a dial-up account and a modem.

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We have been teaching students with the most significant needs for over ten years. Recently we have seen an increase of students with autism in our classrooms. In this article we offer five strategies that we have found effective in our teaching.

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Integrating technology into the curriculum is frequently discussed as an important goal. However, can you define technology integration? More importantly, can you show others how to go about the process of integrating technology into the curriculum?Visions of technology integration have often been the domain of individuals rather than shared (Dias, 1999; Edyburn& Gardner, 1999). As a result, there is considerable confusion about what integration is and isn't.

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 Software, games and books for grades 3-8    GeoSafari Series (Educational Insights: 800-995-4436) This excellent series of trivia games, for one to four players, lets users test their knowledge in a game-show format. Players choose answers from animations, photos, illustration and videos. There's an animated clock that can be adjusted for different skill levels or ages, a glossary with great information, and printable activity sheets and certificates.

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The 14th edition of The Directory for Exceptional Children has been published and released. An explosion of early diagnosis programs for special needs youth is one of the trends reflected in this latest directory.Daniel McKeever, senior editor for Porter Sargen Publisher Inc., and his staff collect data from more than 2,500 public and private schools, hospital programs, treatment facilities, and clinics nationwide. These programs are sent a detailed questionnaire about patient conditions, demographics, therapy, curriculum, and financial details.

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Parenting Children with Learning Disabilities is written by Jane Utley Adelizzi and Diane B. Goss. In a straightforward and empathetic tone, Adelizzi and Goss sensitively offer support to parents of children with learning disabilities who wish to see their children grow to their full potential.

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From Goals to Data and Back Again: Adding Backbone to Developmental Intervention for Children with Autism is written by Jill Fain Lehman, Ph.D and Rebecca Klaw, M.S., M.Ed.In this book, Lehman and Klaw argue for the importance of bolstering developmental approaches to intervention with data collection and analysis. Through a balance of discussion and examples taken from children across the autism spectrum, they introduce a straightforward way to write developmentally sound goals that are measurable; design data collection sheets that allow for easy and accurate recording of observations; perform analyses using simple spreadsheet functions that require no mathematical skills; interpret the results of the analysis to determine if a child is making progress; and use the interpretation to inform the next round of intervention decisions.The basic text is supplemented with appendices that provide both handouts for staff or student training, and exercises (to be used with the accompanying CD-ROM) to practice the skills described.The book is intended for therapists, educators and clinical supervisors who design intervention for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, as well as for teachers who wish to add a relevant and accessible statistical component to their curriculum. It is also intended for parents who wish to participate more fully in their child's intervention or better understand available methods for evaluating their child's progress.From Goals to Data and Back Again is a 225-page book, which includes a CD-ROM.

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Clarity Solutions, the manufacturer of "Flex Arm" Auto-focus video magnifiers, announces their new CLARITYAF FLEX video magnifiers. Some new features of the video magnifiers are push button switches, rounded ergonomic design and improved quick release on appropriate models. CLARITYAF FLEX video magnifiers not only offer all that traditional video magnifiers do, but also offer a range of possibilities not often seen in the field.

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The new AlphaHub enables a classroom teacher to manage files and software on up to 30 AlphaSmart 3000s simultaneously using a Macintosh or Windows computer. The AlphaSmart 3000 is a keyboarding and computing device that allows every student in class to write, edit and review their own compositions. Incorporating a complete alphanumeric keyboard and display into a rugged, kid-proof design, the AlphaSmart 3000 is ideal for school districts that want to provide individual workstations for every student at a fraction of the cost of a full-featured PC.

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Care Simply, Inc. has launched , the first secure and easy-to-use Web site that meets the documentation and coordination demands of care teams serving children and adults with special needs.In the process of care giving, documentation and coordination happen at different times and in different ways, involving many different people. Care Simply is designed to simplify the process and help parents and other caregivers provide the best possible care for an individual.

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After two years of research and development, the world's first e-mail program designed to allow individuals with mental retardation and cognitive disabilities to communicate using the Internet is now available. The technology was developed by AbleLink Technologies, Inc. of Colorado Springs through funding from the U.S.

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Curriculum Associates offers S-BIP (Student Behavior Intervention Planner) a kit that provides a step-by-step process to effectively gather information, summarize, and report student problem behaviors. The kit addresses IDEA requirements, including Functional Behavior Assessment; Behavior Intervention Plan/Individual Education Plan; and Alternative Placement, including manifestation determination."Today there is more focus on student behavior problems than ever before. The media has drawn attention to extreme behaviors that seem more prevalent than in years past.

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Lexia Learning Systems announces the availability of Lexia Early Reading, a reading preparation software program for children ages 4 to 6. The program is designed to promote the ability to process the sounds necessary to support the development of basic reading skills. It is self contained, interactive and does not require teacher intervention.

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Voice output communication for persons with disabilities is now as easy as strapping on a watch-sized device, and touching one of its four segmented keys. AbleNet, Inc. has created the TalkTrac Wearable Communicator, the first durable, splash resistant aid that can be worn on one's arm.

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Don Johnston Inc, and AlphaSmart, Inc., have announced the release of Co:Writer SmartApplet. This writing solution brings word prediction writing support to the AlphaSmart 3000 portable keyboard. Students who struggle with writing become frustrated easily, write little and avoid the very experiences that build better writing skills.

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ATMs to be upgraded with voice-guided technologyChevy Chase Bank, the National Federation of the Blind, and the Disability Rights Council of Greater Washington (DRC) announced a plan to upgrade with voice-guided technology more than 500 Chevy Chase Bank ATMs locations in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.Under the plan, developed with the substantial assistance of the National Federation of the Blind and the DRC, Chevy Chase Bank will begin a pilot of 20 talking ATMs within the next six months. After successful completion of the pilot, upgrades of additional ATMs will continue over the following three years. Linda Royster, Executive Director of the DRC, said, "Chevy Chase Bank's agreement to install talking ATMs will substantially enhance the ability of persons who are blind to bank in an independent and dignified manner.

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