Significant Disabilities Web Resources

The internet is full of information and resources. Included in this area are some sites that may be of particular interest to families, educators and individuals who support people with more significant cognitive disabilities.

Assistive Technology Vendors
Vendors of Switch Accessible Software
Links to Instructional Resources
Freebies
Professional / Family Organizations
State & Government Agencies

Vendors

Able Net: Source for MeVille to WeVille and Star Reporter curriculum programs for teaching students with significant disabilities. Source for AAC devices including the TANGO.
Attainment Company: Source for Go:Talk and other AAC devices; also source for software, books and vocational related tasks.
Augmentative Resources: Source for literacy devices, communication books and language learning games.
Don Johnston: Source for software including Picture This, BuildAbility, Pix Writer, Writing with Symbols 2000. Manufacture of Start to Finish Early Literacy Starters books.
Enable Mart: Source for switches and switch interfaces, step by step communicator and TechTalk.
Enabling Devices: Toys for Special Children: Provides assistive and learning devices for children, resources for switches, switch toys, and AAC devices.
Gus Communications: Source for Overboard software and Gus Pocket Communicator.
IntelliTools: Source for IntelliTools products including Overlay Maker and Classroom Suite. Checkout the activity exchange!
Judy Lynn Software: Source for cause effect software for children with special needs.
Marblesoft: Software programs for early learning and switch accessible computer games.
Mayer-Johnson: Makers of Boardmaker software; suppliers of AAC devices and other software programs.
News 2 You: This is a weekly newspaper for emergent readers. Picture symbols are used along with the text to allow symbol users an opportunity to read the news. You pay a yearly subscription fee, and then you will be able to download the issues from the Web site. Each issue has 3-4 pages of current events, a craft or recipe, a joke, and an activity page that relates to the week's lead story. News-2-You is now available in Regular, Simple and Higher Editions.
RJ Cooper: Source for switches, AAC devices and software.
Slater Software: Makers of Pix Writer, Picture It and Simply Science software. Check out the “free stuff” link on website for free activity downloads, updated monthly.
SoftTouch Software: Source for software programs appropriate for students with significant disabilities including: Test Me, Score Me,Switching on Science and American History programs. Many software applications also operate using Intellikeys or switches.
Switch in Time Accessible Software: Software programs (MAC/PC) which enable kids of all ages to actively participate in exciting musical activities using their existing adaptive computer equipment. Free downloads available for MAC only.

Vendors of Switch Accessible Software

Test Me, Score Me
Teen Tunes Plus
Attention Teens
SoftTouch, Inc.
www.softtouch.com
Switching on Science: Habitats
Switching On Science: Earth
Switching On American History
SoftTouch, Inc.
www.softtouch.com
Cowriter: Solo
DraftBuilder: Solo
Buildability
Start to Finish Literacy Starters
Don Johnston, Inc.
www.donjohnston.com
Simply Science: Animals
Simply Science: Energy
PixWriter
Slater Software, Inc.
www.slatersoftware.com
Functional Life Skills
Functional Literacy Skills
The Conover Company
www.conovercompany.com
ClickIt!
Intellitools Classroom Suite
Intellitools, Inc
www.intellitools.com
Poetry Power CD
AAC Intervention
www.aacintervention.com
Drum Kit
Switch It
Inclusive TLC
www.inclusivetlc.com

Instructional Resources

Science

Portaportal for Science -Weblinks created by Amy Michael and Cheryl Mendis
Science PowerPoint presentation
PowerPoint
Yucky kids website
Missouri Botanical Gardens website on Biomes
Rockingham County Public Schools website with Kidspiration templates

Math

Cool math games Contains a variety of on-line math games from simple addition to geometry
Kings List of Online Math Activities - Contains links to many on-line math games. Check out the beginning math links.
NCTM Illumination - National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Explore on-line games as well as lesson plans for all levels of math.
AA Math - Interactive on-line math lessons for K-8 content.
Aplus math - On-line math games, create flashcards or print worksheets for all levels of math.
Elementary - Elementary interactive math lessons.
ABC teach - Printable worksheets.
ABC teach - Printable worksheets.
Rain forest math - Interactive on-line math activities K-6.

Social Studies

SOL Virginia Geography - SOL Virginia Geography
SOL Pass Activities - SOL Pass Activities
Kids Commonwealth - Kids Commonwealth website to learn about Virginia
PBS Social Studies site
Social Studies resources
Rockingham County Schools - Rockingham County School’s websites for Social Studies
Trade booklists for Social Studies SOLs - Trade booklists for Social Studies SOLs
DOE Social Studies - DOE Social Studies resource page

English Literacy

Poetry4Kids - Poetry for Kids is a site designed for kids to read and learn kid-friendly poetry.
Giggle Poetry - Giggle Poetry a site designed for children to learn and explore the art of poetry.
Lyrics Search Engine - A Lyrics search engine allows you to search popular songs that can be used to motivate struggling readers.
Adapted Stories - Adapted Stories is subscription based website with materials designed for teachers, parents and therapists who work with children at an early literacy level and who need extra visual support.
Nellie Edge - Nellie Edge site has free little books for downloading and printing designed for young children.
Do2Learn - Do2Learn is a site with games, songs, communication cards using visuals.
ReadPlease - Software that reads anything on your computer screen.
PALS - PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) for lesson plans and activities.
Compact for Reading - A Compact for Reading & School-Home Links
Bookshare - Bookshare is an accessible on-line library for people with print disabilities.
Route 66 Literacy - Route 66 Literacy a new Internet-based educational service that provides reading and writing instruction to beginning, adolescent and adult readers with disabilities.
Learning In Hand - Access to electronic books that are read on hand-held computers.
TinSnips - TinSnips includes resources for teachers such as worksheets, activities, techniques and teaching tools.
Symbol World - Symbol World is a website for people who use symbols.
Widget Software Resources - Widget Software Resources list available for free or purchase.
Sites for Teachers - Educational websites for teachers.
PortaPortal - PortaPortal site of Amy Michael, teacher, Augusta County Schools.
Askability - Askability is a website presented entirely in symbols to help inform users of current events.
Teachnology - Teachnology include free and easy to use resources for teachers.
HotChalk's Lesson Plan Page - HotChalk's Lesson Plan Page with free lessons.
Earobics -Earobics, a reading program designed for struggling readers.
Baltimore City Schools - Baltimore City Schools adapted books site with free books adapted using Boardmaker.

Freebies

Augmentative Alternative Communication: Caroline Musselwhite's website contains tips regarding AAC use, literacy development.
Bry-Back Manor: Many activities for early learning including a section for picture recipes.
Do2Learn: Includes a variety of activities for classroom instruction including picture cards, templates of schedules, math templates, graph paper templates, etc.
Priory Woods School: The resource section of this web site contains free downloads of a wide variety of materials including worksheets, curriculum documents, lesson plans and simple programs.
Symbol World: This website contains stories and content related material created using picture symbols.

Professional / Family Organizations

Council for Exceptional Children: CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted.
TASH: TASH is an international membership associationleading the way to inclusive communities through research, education, andadvocacy.
Down Syndrome Association ofGreater Richmond: The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond includes parents, family members, friends and professionals working together to improve the quality of life of persons with Down syndrome.
ABLEDATA: A federally funded project which provides information on assistive technology devices and rehabilitation equipment. Go to this site to search for AT Products.
New Mobility: A lifestyle magazine for wheelchair users, covers health, employment issues, relationships, recreation, travel, legal issues, products and more.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA): An interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability. Go to the RESNA website for a list of all assistive technology loan funds in the USA.
The Center for an Accessible Society: A national organization designed to focus public attention on disability and independent living issues. You will find information developed through NIDRR funded research.
International Rett Syndrome Association: IRSA is an organization that dedicated to providing families with the latest medical information, aggressively funding research, offering meaningful support, and raising public awareness and advocating for those living with the neurological disorder called Rett syndrome.
Exceptional Parent: Information, support, ideas, and outreach for parents and families of children with disabilities.
Muscular Dystrophy Association: The MDA is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to conquering more than 40 neuromuscular diseases that affect millions of Americans of all ages.
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America: The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis.
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation: As a predominantly service-based, non-profit organization, our primary mission is to ensure the best quality of life for those coping with MS by providing comprehensive support and educational programs.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society: The National MS Society helps each person address the challenges of living with MS through a 50 state network of chapters. They fund more MS research, provide more services to people with MS, offer more professional education and advocacy.
National Organization on Disability: The mission of the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) is to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life.
National Council on Independent Living: The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is the oldest cross disability, grass roots organization run by and for people with disabilities.

State Government Resources

Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS): Employment and community living services to people with disabilities and employers.
Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI): Services for blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind individuals to achieve their maximum level of employment, education, and personal independence.
Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH): Interpreter, technology and information programs for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS): Provides information to Virginians with disabilities interested in assistive technology devices and services.
Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS): Administers Virginia's Medicaid and other Medical Programs
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD): VBPD serves as Virginia's Developmental Disabilities (DD) Planning Council. They work for the benefit of individuals with DD and their families to identify needs and help develop policies, programs and services that will meet these needs in a manner that respects dignity and independence.
Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA): VHDA is the state’s mortgage finance agency. Created in 1972 by the Virginia General Assembly, their mission is to help low- and moderate-income Virginians attain quality, affordable housing.
Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC): Staff at WWRC provide training and therapy to people with disabilities to enable them to re-enter the work force and live more independently.
Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATFLA): The mission of ATFLA is to facilitate favorable credit financing of assistive technology for Virginians with disabilities.
WorkWORLD: WorkWORLDTM is decision support software for personal computers that is designed to be used by people with disabilities, advocates, benefit counselors, and others. The software helps people find employment-based paths to higher net income through the best use of Federal and State work incentives and benefits.
The Choice Group: The Choice Group was established in 1998 as a private rehabilitation and employment services organization.
The Greater Richmond ARC: The Greater Richmond ARC provides a variety of innovative services and programs designed to meet the needs of our clients and their families.
US Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD's mission is to increase home ownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR): NIDRR, within the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation, offers a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. It is also the source of three federal grants to the ATLFA, with which we operate our loan fund.
Rehabilitative Services Administration (RSA): RSA, within the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation, oversees formula and discretionary grant programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently. RSA provides funds to each state for vocational rehabilitation. RSA also is the source of a federal grant to the ATLFA for its newest program, Telework.
New Freedom Initiative: A website developed for government issues for people with disabilities.