Inclusive classrooms with complex, diverse students have many challenges, including that of effective physical design. One included element that should be considered is a relaxation station, designed to teach and promote everyday self-regulation skills within a calmer and more private space. A relaxation station is an essential component in every…

Sensory integration dysfunction (SID, also known as sensory processing disorder, SPD) is a condition that exists when a person's multisensory integration fails to process and respond adequately to the demands of the environment. Children with SID (CwSID) are also learners with disabilities with regard to responding adequately to the demands made…

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), amended in 2008, is a federal law intended to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities. It applies to employers, state and local government agencies, places of public accommodation, transportation facilities, telephone companies, and the U.S. Congress. Under Title II of the ADA,…

The paper focuses on the development of relatively low-cost microcomputers, which provide a potentially powerful tool for the rehabilitation field. The paper discusses such areas of application as sensory enhancement/translation, manipulator controls, information amplification, special control interfaces to other devices, recreation and…

The application of microcomputers for handicapped individuals has tremendous potential. Barriers needing research include: access by the handicapped to the available software, aids that are portable, the problem of obsolescence. (SEW)

Suggestions are made for incorporating finger-spelling with sound blending in spelling instruction for handicapped and nonhandicapped children. Teaching materials are described, and five steps in teaching how to spell a three letter word are listed. (CL)

Describes assistive technologies that are available to help schools meet the requirements of Individualized Education Plans for students with disabilities. The offerings include computer devices and specialized software programs. (EV)

ABLEDATA, a computerized information database, provides information on commercially available rehabilitation products in 13 major categories, including personal care, mobility, communication, and prosthetics. Product information includes manufacturer's name, availability, cost, and formal evaluation results. The network is accessible to anyone via…

Four articles are presented on the use of living and learning aids for people with various disabilities. (DLS)

Therapeutic recreation professionals can work with computer specialists to develop uses for microcomputers with special populations. Computers can help sensory-impaired individuals, physically disabled, the aged, and special education students. Computer professionals benefit from receiving feedback from therapeutic recreation professionals on…

The use of microcomputers with handicapped children is examined in terms of special equipment (largely on particular physical handicaps); general equipment that can be modified for particular handicaps but which builds on standard hardware; and software intended for children with physical, emotional, or cognitive handicaps. (CL)

Discusses the efforts made to develop and initiate service to handicapped persons in a public library, including descriptions of in-house and outreach programs, as well as several machines which make information and services more accessible to the deaf and blind. (CHC)

Some forms of assistive device technology are not available to many disabled children or adults because there is not a centralized system to link the technology with those who need it. This hearing explores ways to promote widespread availability of assistive devices. Examined are types of devices, the costs of such devices, methods of…

Signaling devices can help individuals with disabilities call for help, see and feel sound, and monitor what is happening in another room. This pamphlet describes signaling devices within the following categories: emergency, telephone, doorbell, smoke and fire, baby cry and room monitor, light and vibrating, security, wake-up, and child monitor…

On the basis of questionnaire responses from 25 visually handicapped adults, the authors maintained that continued use of optical aids was affected both by the type of lens prescribed and by the provision of appropriate training and followup. (GW)