Internet Resources

Alt+Shift

Alt+Shift is a collabortive and impact-focused organization advancing:

• The belief that every student is capable of learning thriving within his/her educational environment
• Educator skills, knowledge and drive to improve learning
• Partnerships to co-construct systems at all levels to benefit students (source: Alt+Shift website).

Alt+Shift Contact List for Upper Peninsula Assistive Technology

The Alt+Shift website maintains a list of contacts for Assistive Technology

High Incidence Accessible Technology (HIAT)

The High Incidence Accissible Technology (HIAT) is a wonderful resource site from Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. Check out the technology quick guides, video tutorials, book share and more.

Reading

Spark Notes: Free online study guides (can be read with text-to-speech software).

Learning Ally (formerly Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic): Learning Ally is a national non-profit dedicated to helping students with print disabilities, including blindness, visual impairment and dyslexia. Learning Ally improves the way students learn at home and in the classroom.

Starfall: Starfall Education Foundation is a publicly supported nonprofit organization, 501(c)(3). We create free and low-cost experiences whereby children can successfully learn through exploration. On the Starfall website and in Starfall classrooms, children have fun while learning in an environment of collaboration, wonderment, and play. We teach through positive reinforcement to ensure children become confident, intrinsically motivated, and successful.

Math

 WebMath: Webmath is a math-help web site that generates answers to specific math questions and problems, as entered by a user, at any particular moment. The math answers are generated and displayed real-time, at the moment a web user types in their math problem and clicks "solve." In addition to the answers, Webmath also shows the student how to arrive at the answer.

 Varsity Tutors (formerly hotmath.com): View step-by-step answers to math homework problems from your textbook. 

Varsity Tutors (formerly aplusmath.com): Interactive math resources for teachers, parents, and students featuring free math worksheets, math games, math flashcards, and more.

TouchMath: TouchMath is a multisensory math program that makes critical math concepts appealing and accessible for students who struggle to understand grade-level content. TouchMath is committed to maximizing student potential through its worldwide delivery of hands-on math programs, cultivating success with individuals of all abilities and learning styles. (purchases required to use these resources)

Science

NASA: Education by grade-level and topic.

Discovery Education: Free student resources.

Social Studies

Library of Congress: The Library of Congress has many websites designed for young readers and for the whole family to explore together.

National Geographic Kids: National Geographic for Kids.

National Park Service: National Register of Historic Places.

Google Earth: Explore with satellite imagery, maps, terrain and pictures. 

Other Resources

Reading

• Predictable books
• Changes in text size, spacing, color, and background
• Book adapted for page-turning
• Use of pictures/symbols with text
• Talking electronic device to speak challenging words
• Single word scanners
• Electronic books
• EZC reader strips: highlighted strips to help students focus on written text

Resources for Composing Written Material

• Word prediction software (such as Co-Writer)

Math

• Enlarged math worksheets
• Money calculator/coinulator
• Talking watches/clocks
• Calculator (with or without print out)
• Talking Calculator

 Resources for Motor Aspects of Writing 

• Pen/pencil with adapted grip
• Raised/highlighted line paper
• Durable paper (such as stone paper by Oxford)
• Carbon-less notebooks
• Slant Board
• Pre-written words/phrases
• Computer with word processing
• Voice recognition software
• Talking calculator
• Weighted pencils/pencil weights

 Resources for Learning/Studying

• Print or picture schedule
• Color-coded folders
• Highlighters
• Recorded material
• Voice output reminders for assignments/tasks
• Electronic organizers
• Alarms/electronic reminders
• Software for concept development
• Software for organization of ideas
• Hot Dots: cards for learning math or phonics facts.  Can be purchased or made
• Graphic organizers
• Timer
• StepPad: recording of step-by-step instructions

Low-Tech Resources

• Highlight tape
• Reading bars
• Color Overlays
• Carbonless notebooks
• Sticky notes
• Franklin Dictionaries (speaking dictionaries)
• Color-coding
• Writing guides
• Label makers
• Magnetic letters/numbers
• Personal white boards
• Book stands
• Clipboards
• Pencil grips

Resources for Computer Use/Access

• Keyboard with accessibility options
• Word prediction, abbreviation/expansion to reduce keystrokes
• Keyguard
• Arm support
• Track ball/joystick with on-screen keyboard
• Alternate keyboard
• Switch with scanning
• Voice recognition software

Resources for Communication

• Communication board with pictures/words/objects
• Eye gaze frame
• Simple voice output device
• Voice output device with speech synthesis
• Switches
• Talking photo album
• Boardmaker (Examples can be found at Mayer-Johnson)

Resources for Sensory Integration

• Fidgets/squeeze balls
• Weighted vests and blankets
• Sit-Fit
• Bean bags
• Mood sand
• Brushes
• Chewelry (Chewable jewelry)
• Latex resistance bands

Vision

• Magnifier
• Large print books
• CCTV (Closed Circuit Television)
• Screen magnifier
• Screen magnification software
• Screen color contrast
• Screen/text reader
• Braille materials
• Braille translation software
• Enlarged or Braille/tactile labels for keyboard
• Alternate keyboard with enlarged keys
• Braille keyboard and note taker

Hearing

• Signaling device
• Closed captioning
• Computer-aided note-taking
• Phone amplifier
• Personal amplification system/Hearing aide
• FM system