This investigation compared outcomes in disabled and non-disabled students taking courses by distance learning with the Open University UK in 2003. Students with mental health difficulties showed poorer course completion than non-disabled students. Students with restricted mobility and students with other disabilities showed lower pass rates than…

Students with disabilities and special needs have faced challenges in accessing educational content, and in taking traditional pen-and-paper tests. How might technology improve the process, while making statewide tests truly accessible to all students? NimbleTools is the first computer-based test delivery system that incorporates principles of…

Four physicaly handicapped children with mental ages between three and three-and-a-half years progressed through a sound training program teaching word generation with and without an auditory model. Treatment procedures progressed from production of single phonemes to multisound levels. Results suggested that some prereading nonvocal physically…

This study determined if the use of computer-assisted instruction would be an effective method to promote word identification using the Nonverbal Reading Approach (NRA). Three students with severe speech impairments and concomitant physical disabilities or autism were provided decoding and word identification instruction using the NRA across three…

Activities using Logo, a programing language, have been successful in helping severely physically disabled students as well as autistic children express themselves. (CL)

The application of microtechnology in a school for multiply handicapped children is explained to include a language arts program stressing sentence formation and letter matching, production of artificial speech, and communication aids for physically impaired children. Adaptations for severe physical involvement and for visual impairments are…

Advantages of computer based education are discussed and the application of computer resources for students with visual and hearing impairments, mental retardation, learning disabilities, and physical handicaps is described. (CL)

An information technology course was provided to people with physical disabilities in their Ireland homes, using computers and modem links. The course included modules on business applications software and specialized applications. Nineteen of 20 participants completed the course successfully and were awarded an internationally recognized…

The STARDUST project developed robust computer speech recognizers for use by eight people with severe dysarthria and concomitant physical disability to access assistive technologies. Independent computer speech recognizers trained with normal speech are of limited functional use by those with severe dysarthria due to limited and inconsistent…

Discusses the implications for academic computing of Section 508 of the 1986 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which ensures that handicapped individuals have access to hardware and software purchased by the federal government. Lists organizations, on-line services, and print materials that can serve as resources. (DMM)

Provides background information related to the use of computers in classrooms that have diverse populations including students with disabilities. Offers a rationale for examining structured approaches to teaching computer skills to young children. Describes one such structured approach. (TJQ)

Explained for educators of severly physically handicapped (SPH) children are basic component parts of the microcomputer system, adaptations for children unable to use a standard keyboard, and applications for communication, academic work, writing, creative arts, recreation, future employment, and young SPH children. Factors educators should…

The study evaluated the touch sensitive screen, providing computer access to students with severe learning disabilities, with visual impairments, and with physical handicaps. Results indicated the apparatus to be a valuable tool for individual or group work in a variety of skills by children of various ages and disabilities. (DB)

Describes the development at Hereward College (England) of an electronic study environment, called the Nuffield Interactive Book System, for use by physically handicapped students. Topics addressed include system design strategy, a prototype system, pretrials, revisions, system capabilities, and users' reactions. Sample screen displays are…

Describes Web sites for special-needs students, parents, and teachers: The Bridge School, servicing students with severe speech and physical impairments; Overbrook School for the Blind; and Bruce Street School for the Deaf. Lists Web sites of special schools, resources on accessible Web design, and resources for special needs. Highlights…