ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LINKS
General | Recreation | Learning Disabilities | Deaf and Hard of Hearing | Vision | Speech and Language | Autism | Literacy | Family
W.A.T.I.
W.A.T.I. - The mission of WATI is... "to ensure that every child in Wisconsin who needs assistive technology (AT) will have equal and timely access to an appropriate evaluation and the provision and implementation of any needed AT devices and services".
CESA 2
CESA 2 - Follow this link to the CESA 2 lending library where you can try before you buy.
Selected links to assistive technology
Closing the Gap - A web site offering a variety of articles, resources and interactive activities related to assistive technology. It offers the "Question of the Week" to encourage visitors to share their knowledge and feedback with other visitors. the site now has a search capability to allow visitors to search their Resource Directory of computer related products for individuals with special needs.
Technical Descriptions of Assistive Tech Equipment - The Technical Glossary provides descriptions of broad categories of adaptive technologies with links to various products and their vendors.
National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education through Technology (NCIP) - Provides information on a wide variety of assistive technology, with an emphasis on implementation.
General Sites for Disabilities
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) - The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a network of community-based Resource Centers, Developers and Vendors, Affiliates, and Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies. These ATA Members can be found all across the country. We hope that this web site will let you get to know us a little better, make use of our resources, contact one of our members and perhaps consider joining us in achieving our mission of "connecting children and adults with disabilities to technology tools."
Trace Research and Development Center - Includes the Abledata database of assistive technology (found under Cooperative Electronic Library), software toolkits (a collection of freeware and shareware with a focus on computer access for individuals with disabilities) and many disability related articles and papers.
Yahoo's Disability Resources - Assist in helping for search for information on a variety of disabilities.
Recreation
Very Special Arts - Founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith as an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and led by Interim CEO Deborah Stuart, VSA arts is an International organization that creates learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities. The organization offers arts-based programs in creative writing, dance, drama, music and the visual arts implemented primarily through our vast affiliate network in 41 states and the District of Columbia and 86 international affiliates in 83 countries. VSA arts' programs now serve 4.3 million Americans and 1.3 million people in other parts of the world.
Learning Disabilities
LD OnLine - The interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers and children.
LD/ADD Resources - This page is specifically geared to provide information to youth and adults with learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder.
Deaf / Hard of Hearing
Sign Language Dictionary - HandSpeak is the largest, fast-growing popular sign language dictionary online. Approximately 3,090 signs and still growing daily.
National Information Center on Deafness - Leading the world in undergraduate and graduate programs for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students.
Vision
International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind - Founded in 1940, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the nation's largest and most influential membership organization of blind persons. With fifty thousand members, the NFB has affiliates in all fifty states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, and over seven hundred local chapters. As a consumer and advocacy organization, the NFB is considered the leading force in the blindness field today.
Recording for the Blind - The nation's educational library for people with print disabilities. We have an 83,000-title library of taped textbooks, reference and professional materials for people who cannot read standard print because of a disability.
American Foundation for the Blind - Every seven minutes, someone in America will become blind or visually impaired. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is committed to leveling the playing field for the 10 million blind or visually impaired Americans. A nonprofit organization founded in 1921 and recognized as Helen Keller's cause in the United States, AFB is a leading national resource for people who are blind or visually impaired, the organizations that serve them, and the general public.
American Printing House for the Blind - The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) was founded in Louisville, Kentucky in 1858, making it the oldest institution of its kind in the United States. APH is also the world's largest company devoted solely to creating products and services for people who are visually impaired.
Lighthouse International - Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation. Through its pioneering work in vision rehabilitation services, education, research and advocacy, Lighthouse International enables people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted to lead independent and productive lives. Founded in 1905 and headquartered in New York, Lighthouse International is a not-for-profit organization, and depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations.
Speech and Language
Apraxia-Kids - Has your child recently been diagnosed with apraxia or dyspraxia of speech? Are you concerned about a child who seems to be late to start talking? Are you a teacher with an apraxic child in your classroom? Or an experienced speech language pathologist or parent wishing to become more fully informed about apraxia? If this describes you, you're at the right place!
American Speech and Language Association (ASHA) - Early Hearing Detection and Intervention as well as links to community and regional resources.
Autism
Wisconsin Autism - The purpose of this information is to help families find services that they need. It is based on research and parent recommendations.
Literacy
Don Johnston Company - Don Johnston Incorporated is the leader in learning intervention resources. They provide the high-quality intervention products that struggling students and students with disabilities need to achieve literacy. They offer reading, writing, word-study and computer access products, as well as professional development services for educating teachers on using technology in the classroom to teach reading and writing.
Intellitools - For two decades, IntelliTools has been a leading provider of hardware and software giving students with special needs comprehensive access to learning. IntelliTools is also the leading provider of professional development for a growing number of teachers, parents and specialists - all committed to realizing the dream of educational equity for all.
Family Resource Sites of Children with Special Needs
Internet Resources for Special Children - The IRSC is a non-profit web site, which has been providing parents, educators, medical professionals, and caregivers with information regarding children with disabilities
The Family Village - Welcome to the Family Village! We are a global community that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with cognitive and other disabilities, for their families, and for those that provide them services and support.
Parents Helping Parents - Mission: Helping children with special needs receive the resources, love, hope, respect, heath care, education and other services they need to achieve their full potential by providing them with strong families and dedicated professionals to serve them.
The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities - NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. Our special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22).