Written expression is a neglected but critical component of education; yet, the writing process--from prewriting, to writing, and postwriting--is often an area of struggle for students with disabilities. One strategy to assist students with disabilities struggling with the writing process is the use of computer-based technology. This article…

Due to the prevalence of ADHD, there is a need for early intervention at the preschool level to improve children's chance of academic success in later years. Yet few preschool teachers are trained to meet the challenges children with ADHD present. This paper gives a rationale and curriculum for teacher training in ADHD, with an emphasis on Social…

Microsoft PowerPoint software is widely used in business and higher education and is growing in use with school-aged students. A small body of research has demonstrated that it can be effective in enhancing skill instruction for individuals with disabilities. PowerPoint is not a difficult program to learn, but it provides endless possibilities for…

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…

Microcomputer simulation of pupils offers one means of addressing some of the practical problems of teacher training. A simulation is described and general findings to date are summarized. Anticipated developments and potential benefits are discussed. (Author/CL)

The National Center for Supported eText (NCSeT) has a research agenda designed to investigate the effects of supported electronic text on the ability of students with disabilities to read and learn from text. This article introduces four studies conducted by research teams who have collaborated with NCSeT to implement that agenda. It describes…

The "Writing to Read" program uses microcomputers to teach a phonemically consistent alphabet, thus allowing children to write words phonetically while learning to read. Because the system requires minimal motor coordination, it may be applicable to students with disabilities. (CL)

Speech technology--especially automatic speech recognition--has now advanced to a level where it can be of great benefit both to able-bodied people and those with various disabilities. In this paper we describe an application "TalkMaths" which, using the output from a commonly-used conventional automatic speech recognition system,…

The paper describes a 15-hour workshop designed for special and regular educators with little or no previous computer experience. The workshop is intended to provide participants with a wide range of experience in the use of microcomputers in the classroom and to develop a general understanding of the value of computers in working with children in…

The Trace Center (University of Wisconsin) has assembled a registry of hardware/software programs and adaptations for the handicapped user. The registry contains information on augmentative devices for motoric, sensory, or cognitive skills; special inputs that provide access to standard software; and other programs with speech output. (CL)

Lectures can present barriers to learning for many students and although online multimedia materials have become technically easier to create and offer many benefits for learning and teaching, they can be difficult to access, manage, and exploit. This article considers how research on interacting with multimedia can inform developments in using…

Microcomputer modules were developed to help Pennsylvania State University students and inservice teachers develop 10 generic competencies regarding working with handicapped students in the least restrictive environment. Competencies touch on understanding the legal bases for education in the least restrictive environment, making use of…

A data processing chairperson at a junior high school describes her experiences in teaching special education students computer literacy skills. She notes growth in academic skills as well as in self esteem from the successful experience. (CL)

As technology evolves, so does its impact on people's lives. These changes clearly affect people's daily activities, but how might they also impact education, teachers, and the lives of students with disabilities? This article focuses on technological innovations and their potential implications for students and teachers in schools. This article…

The Basic Skills Keyboards is a software program that features a variety of game files presented in ways tied to the cognitive deficits associated with autism. The program is based on the hypothesis that such students have problems with cause-effect, means-end, and personal agency, and would develop a working knowledge of these relationships via…