Appendix 4 - Some Useful Web sites

Apple Disability Resources – www.qt-tv.net/education/k12/disability/

An Apple Mac site which explains the access software available for those with a Mac and highlights the support features which are built into a Mac to support those with a disability.

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) – www.cast.org

This organization supports the use of technology for those with disabilities to encourage access to learning for all. Their site includes information about teaching strategies, teaching tools, concepts, issues and initiatives.

Closing the Gap – www.closingthegap.com

This US organization provides support materials on the Internet, in newspaper format and via an annual conference for using technology for those with special needs. The library includes many articles including those on curriculum development and inclusion.

Hands and Eyes Newsletter – home.earthlink.net/~vharris/

This online newsletter includes ready-to-use art and learning activities for visually impaired pupils. These have been developed by a teacher for the visually impaired for use in an inclusive classroom.

Internet Resources for Special Children – www.irsc.org/blind.htm

The parent of a pupil with multiple disabilities developed this Web site. It is a resource with information and links to other Web sites of interest in the area of special needs.

Microsoft Enable – www.microsoft.com/enable/

This site includes descriptions of accessibility features in Microsoft operating systems and applications. There is also a catalogue of accessibility aids designed for Windows operating systems.

The National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP) – www2.edc.org/NCIP/

The National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP) in Special Education through Technology, Media and Materials holds information about educating a visually impaired child, and pupils with other special needs, in mainstream education.

National Grid for Learning – www.ngfl.gov.uk

This is a collection of resources brought together by the UK Government to help raise standards in education and support life-long learning. There is a section for special needs resources.

RNIB Accessing Technology Web site – www.rnib.org.uk/technology/

This technology Web site contains information for blind and partially sighted people who are using or would like to use technology in employment, at study and for leisure. There is also information about the Technology Information Service and the Technology factsheets are available here.

RNIB Curriculum Clipboard – www.rnib.org.uk/curriculum/welcome.htm

This site offers information and advice to all professionals supporting a visually impaired pupil accessing the Curriculum. It also contains regularly updated news and information and VI qualified subject specialists are available to answer questions.

Sensory Information Service – www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/Vpages/F4/V46.htm

SIS is an information service designed for the deaf and visually impaired community. There is a large technology section.

Special Education Exchange – www.spedex.com

This is a resource for educators, professionals, parents, consumers, pupils or anyone with an interest in special education.

Teaching Math to Visually Impaired Students – www.tsbvi.edu/math/

This site gives examples of how a teacher can teach maths to a visually impaired pupil. It gives comprehensive information and examples of how to teach various aspects of mathematics from graphs to quadratic equations.

Technology Guide to Assist Pupils with VI in meeting curriculum goals – www.setbc.org/special/virg/

This US guide looks at a framework for addressing a range of technology options for meeting general learning expectations for the visually impaired pupil in a mainstream classroom. Outcomes in reading, writing and maths are concentrated on.

V I Guide – www.viguide.com

This site is a guide to Internet resources about visual impairments for parents and teachers. It has pointers to other Web sites concerned with Access Technology, services, organizations, research, education and leisure.

BLIND-L – mailto:listserv@listserv.uark.edu

BLIND-L is an email discussion group that discusses issues about visually impaired people using computer. Hints and tips on using Access Technology may be found here. See listserv.uark.edu/archives/blind-l.html for information on how to subscribe.

news:alt.comp.blind-users

This is an Internet newsgroup dedicated discussion of computer technologies for blind and visually impaired users. Consult your Internet provider for information on configuring newsgroup software.

Appendix 5 – Additional resource information

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list as it contains only some of the available software. It is important to discover the individual requirements of a pupil with a needs assessment before purchasing any software.

Speech output systems

Screen Magnification systems

Cursor enhancement

Overlay keyboards

Tactile image machines

This ICTS website is maintained by Inclusive Technology.