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 article describes an online resource, TrackStar, that helps organize and annotate Web sites (more specifically, the addresses or URLs to the Web sites) into lessons, presentations, or instructional resources. Each "track" provides a user with a list of Web-based resources that have been located, organized, and summarized. Examples of uses…

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…

Colleges of Education (COEs) use the World Wide Web to disseminate and gather information. Online barriers limit the accessibility of the Web for individuals with disabilities. This study evaluated the accessibility of COE home pages. Two hundred and fifty Web sites were randomly selected for evaluation. A software program was used to quantify the…

Discussion of e-learning in special education personnel preparation focuses on student assessment in e-learning environments. It includes a review of the literature, lessons learned by the authors from assessing student performance in e-learning environments, a literature perspective on electronic portfolios in monitoring student progress, and the…

This article discusses teaching strategies for reading and writing using computer software and Internet-based electronic materials for students with disabilities. Different types of educational software are described, along with prereading strategies, reading activities, and postreading activities. A list of literacy links on the World Wide Web is…

This article describes how to organize site-based assistive technology packages, determine students' assistive technology needs, and obtain and use the appropriate technology. An assistive technology package worksheet sample and a student worksheet sample are included, along with a list of assistive technology resources on the Web. (Contains…

Describes how the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) have been integrated into teacher education in order to expand the use of technology in special education. Specific examples are provided showing how faculty can instruct teachers in ways to use this technology in K-12 classroom instruction. (CR)

This article describes nine tactics for utilizing technology to manage increasing amounts of information while attempting to discern what information is most pertinent. Specific products are highlighted to provide a glimpse of the potential power and value of these tools for enabling educators to stay apprised of new developments. (Contains one…

As the Internet and the World Wide Web grow, more teachers are authoring school Web pages. Such pages have particular potential for use in rural areas by special educators, but their quality is often poor. All Web pages should be accessible for people with disabilities. Solutions to common accessibility and other problems are described. (Contains…

Demands from students with disabilities and regulations from the federal government are prompting colleges to seek new designs in software and hardware. Many colleges are buying computer workstations and designing Web sites that meet the needs of students with disabilities. The university's attitude and organization tends to be the main stumbling…

Discusses the design, development, and teaching of two graduate-level special-education courses online using audio streaming technology. The teamwork involved in developing the system is described and suggestions are offered on how to engage instructional and technical developers in the creation of online instruction. (Author/CR)

This article discusses the benefits and outcomes of using Internet-based instruction to improve the performance of students with disabilities by developing Internet-based lessons and assessments that target the growth of higher-order thinking skills required on many state assessments. Internet resources for educators are listed. (Contains…

This article describes the development of TEChPLACEs, a collaborative Web site developed by an inclusive kindergarten class and a university development team, to test the feasibility of incorporating communication technologies into the early childhood curriculum. Contents of the Web site and the benefits to students, teachers, and families are…

This newsletter describes promising research in applying technology in the curriculum to improve learning opportunities for students with disabilities. Topics addressed include: (1) promoting access to early childhood curriculum; (2) considering assistive technology in the IEP; (3) using a web-based curriculum for elementary students with mild…