Students with physical disabilities often have difficulty with writing fluency, despite the use of various strategies, adaptations, and assistive technology (AT). One possible intervention is the use of speech recognition software, although there is little research on its impact on students with physical disabilities. This study used an…

This exploratory study examined the use of symbol-supported writing software with students with Down syndrome across two school years. In Year 1, 43 participants used this software and provided data over four months. In Year 2, 17 of the same participants provided data over an additional five months. A quasiexperimental repeated measures design…

This study examined the efficacy of pentop computers on the written expression of three secondary students with mild disabilities. A multiple-probe design was used to establish pentop computers as a potentially effective tool for increasing the quality and quantity of written expression. Each student learned to use the pentop computer and the…

The ability to read fluently is a critical skill that allows the reader to concentrate on the meaning of the text. It also can contribute to a successful reading experience. However, students with physical disabilities may have difficulty reading fluently due to any number of functional, psychosocial, or environmental factors that can accompany a…

This article describes five organizational Web sites that are good resources in selecting and using software with children who have special needs. The sites represent the DO-IT project, the Trace Research and Development Center, Special Needs Opportunity Windows, the Family Center on Technology and Disability, and the National Center for…

This article discusses the use of IEP software applications from the perspectives of form (i.e., legally correct documents) and function (i.e., educationally appropriate individualized programs). The article provides an overview of the basic components of two fairly comprehensive IEP software programs and discusses the general strengths and…

This review explains how agent-based software technology works, discusses features of agent-based software that make it appropriate for students with disabilities, and describes a few current applications. It highlights the benefits of allowing students to interact with a friendly animated character but still be exposed to realistic images.…

Three students with behavior disorders who exhibited difficulty with reading in content area courses learned to use a computer program to create cognitive maps of the reading material required for class. Using a modified multiple-probe design across behaviors or stimulus sets, replicated across students, allowed for the evaluation of student…

This article examines software development techniques used by special educators through the perspective of the software life cycle. The paper argues that traditional programming techniques are becoming less and less feasible for software development within the typical funding levels and timelines of federal initiatives. More use of commercial…

A 10-year-old student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominately inattentive type, was provided with computer software and a paging device with word prompting capabilities to prompt him to initiate and complete daily tasks. The intervention was effective in promoting the occurrence of target behaviors but did not affect overall…

A study investigated the effects of a software-based early reading program on the early reading ability of 55 first-graders with disabilities or who had potential for reading failure. Results showed students showed dramatic improvements following the 16-week program, including the skills of phonemic awareness, spelling, and word identification.…

This study examined the use of a palmtop computer running a software program by transition-age students with cognitive disabilities to increase independence on vocational and independent living tasks. The purpose of this research was to test the hypotheses that a palmtop computer utilizing a Windows CE platform with touch screen capabilities and…

A case study examined the effect that cognitive rescaling of digital text had on the research and writing processes of a student with a learning disability and emotional disturbance in a self-contained alternative school environment. Results indicate the cognitive rescaling of digital text had a positive effect on the student. (Contains…

This article describes the DT Trainer, a software tool and behavioral teaching method which breaks down the learning of a task into small steps, giving the student a very high chance of success. Students are motivated to succeed with this program through ample praise statements and other on-screen reinforcers. (Contains three references.) (CR)

A survey of 91 early childhood special education teachers found they placed a high priority on characteristics of developmentally appropriate software, primarily use of computer technology, to develop and reinforce academic skills, wanted more computer training, and asked that software reflect the developmental needs of young children with…