One of nine brief guides for special educators on using computer technology, this guide focuses on utilizing the telecommunications capabilities of computers. Network capabilities including electronic mail, bulletin boards, and access to distant databases are briefly explained. Networks useful to the educator, general commercial systems, and local…

The directory of technology resources for the disabled lists 15 information clearinghouses, 11 publications, 147 commercial vendors, and 13 conferences. (DB)

COMPUPLAY, a program of the National Lekotek Center (Illinois) for handicapped children (ages 2-14) emphasizes the value of parent/child play activities using computers and provides computer support and resources to parents and professionals. (DB)

To help industrial arts teachers make decisions about the use of computer programs in classes containing disabled students, critical elements of appropriate computer software are discussed, includingpurpose and objectives, principles of learning, and major software problems. Recommendations are also presented for developing software and joining a…

The National Special Education Alliance (a national network of local computer resource centers associated with Apple Computer, Inc.) consists, one year after formation, of 24 non-profit support centers staffed largely by volunteers. The NSEA now reaches more than 1000 disabled computer users each month and more growth in the future is expected.…

The L&J Software Analysis Checklist II was designed to assess the therapeutic value of software for educational and clinical utilization. Its three sections focus on program specifics, skill area components (such as sensory motor, cognitive, perceptual, psychosocial and life skills), and other information. Each of the skill area components is…

The article discusses concerns of producers and users of computer software for those with special needs, reviews current research findings and projects, and reports on a survey of special educators (N=22) that identifies characteristics of desirable software. (Author/DB)

The article reviews the development, functions, and impact of the National Special Education Alliance (NSEA), a network of centers disseminating information on adaptive computer technology. NSEA member centers are listed by state with name, address, and access information. (DB)

This article describes how a group of elementary teachers set out to master their instructional software to turn the collection into an effective aid for enabling the success of students with and without disabilities. It discusses planning for systematic intervention and positive outcomes through the use of computer programs. (Contains…

The paper demonstrates how school districts can have a low cost software library for instruction by utilizing public domain software. Such software can be used to augment the curriculum and to meet the individual needs of special education students. Specific examples of how one school district has used public domain software in computer-assisted…

This guide to using computers with infants and toddlers was developed by the "Let's Play! Project," a 3-year federally supported project that worked to promote play in infants and toddlers with disabilities through the use of assistive technology. Following an introductory section on getting ready to use the computer with a young child, the first…

The Internet is a growing source of information for persons worldwide, but for many people with disabilities the Internet can be a confusing jumble of images, frames, scripts, and colors that make little sense. Although learning how to make Web pages accessible to all takes some effort, it is effort well spent for one very good reason:…

This review of computer applications for curriculum-based measurement for students with disabilities looks at available software that provides automatic test administration, scoring, and feedback; automatic graphed analysis for teachers; and supplementary skills analysis. Such applications can save teacher time and provide accurate information…

The document is part of the final report on Project STEEL (Special Teacher Education and Evaluation Laboratory) intended to extend the utilization of technology in the training of preservice special education teachers. This volume focuses on the second of four project objectives, the development of a special education teacher computer literacy…

This guide focuses on the use of computers and cooperative learning techniques in classrooms that include students with disabilities. The guide outlines the characteristics of cooperative learning such as goal interdependence, individual accountability, and heterogeneous groups, emphasizing the value of each group member. Several cooperative…