Jason Ranker argues that struggling students need "opportunities to use print and produce meanings in diverse and multifaceted ways." His case study of two fifth-grade girls who used digital video production to better understand aspects of the civil rights movement reveals ways in which multimodal literacy practices "can create new possibilities…

Earplugs are sold in most pharmacies. Because I teach at a college of pharmacy, I want my students to understand a particular feature of earplugs called the Noise Reduction Rating, or NRR. The NRR is a rating of the effectiveness of earplugs at decreasing the amount of sound (or noise) entering the ear. Typical values range from 12 dB to 33 dB;…

Communication is accomplished in many ways--through gestures, body language, writing, and speaking. Most people communicate verbally, without giving much thought to the process, but others may struggle to effectively communicate with others. The ability to express oneself affects behavior, learning, and sociability. When children are unable to…

This paper presents an analytical framework for selecting and matching assistive technology to learners with a disability. The purpose of this paper is to analyze assistive technology literature for students with disabilities. The literature search rendered N=57 literature and n=17 manuscripts were identified in the special education technology…

This curriculum, designed for young children ages 3-6, focuses on math, science, and social studies and includes integrated activities to use with over 30 software titles. Young Children as Explorers: Interactive Learning Experiences addresses learning standards established by the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, National Research…

This brief paper considers ways in which people with learning disabilities can benefit from both mainstream and specialized computer hardware and software. First, definitions are provided of terminology, including terms such as dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, non-verbal learning disorder, and dyslexia. Discussion of the role of assistive…

This resource sheet is for parents who have recently found out that their child has a hearing loss. The early years are a critical time for learning language. This document discusses the importance of early intervention, which means getting started as early as possible to address the individual needs of a child with disabilities. Early…

This article discusses the adaptation of single switch technology and activities, found in a wide range of battery-operated toys, electrical devices, and/or computer software, for children with disabilities. Incorporation of multiple toys in the individualized education program (IEP) to enhance the rate of skill acquisition and generalization,…

Discusses the role of institutions of higher education in the provision of assistive technology to meet students' needs. New forms of assistive technology, especially digital applications, are raising new issues of accessibility. Professionals at institutions of higher education must be well informed about technology changes to enable students and…

Discussion of online distance learners with disabilities focuses on the essential components of a Web-based course, the learning advantages that arise from equal access Web formatting, and design strategies that lead to creating accessible, online materials. Highlights include legal mandates, including Americans with Disabilities Act; assistive…

Examines effects of ancestry and severity of disability of vocational rehabilitation consumers. European Americans, individuals with higher costs, and persons who received assistive technology were more likely to be closed rehabilitated. Individuals from other ancestry groups, who were coded severely disabled, or who had been in the system for…

In this systematic replication of a previous study (R. W. Schlosser, D. M. Blischak, P. J. Belfiore, C. Bartley, & N. Barnett, 1998), the effects of speech and print feedback on spelling performance were evaluated. Four children with autism and no functional speech were taught to spell words with a speech-generating device under 3 feedback…

Visual impairment (blindness or low vision) is a leading cause of disability among older adults and is most often due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is predicted that 2.95 million people will have AMD by 2020 (Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group, 2004). Unfortunately, there is no cure for AMD, nor can lost vision be restored.…

From the evidence Johnston has presented, it is clear that the number of children being born deaf in Australia has fallen off and that this decline is likely to continue as a result of the technological and social factors he outlines. It also seems that this reduction in numbers is reflected in other countries for which data are available. It is…

In my response to the commentaries made about my article, I observe that the commentators find no obvious errors with my estimates of the size of the signing deaf community. However, most of them are not as pessimistic as I am partly because of the position they take on a number of issues. Namely, the supposed uniqueness of Australia in its…