Thirty to forty years ago educators had at most the challenge of tape recorders and players and transistor radios to confront as electronic distractions in the classroom. Then pagers were introduced and became associated with drug trafficking and gang activity. Not long after, the first cellular phones were introduced and, when they became…

This report analyzes the first year of the Federal Alternative Financing Program (AFP), a program designed to help individuals with disabilities who need to purchase assistive technology (AT) find a way to pay for the equipment. The program receives funding under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 and provides low-cost financing for…

This bulletin is one of a series reporting on a nationwide study "Qualification and Preparation of Teachers of Exceptional Children," which, since its inception, has been a major project of the Office of Education. This publication reports the aspects of a broader study which deals specifically with teachers of children who are blind. The…

This listing provides directory information for community organizations offering services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing on the local and regional levels. Listing is in alphabetical order by state and city and includes information on the types of services the organization provides. (CR)

This listing provides directory information for organizations, centers, associations, and offices that provide services for people with deafness or hard of hearing on a national level. Services provided include information, referral, and outreach relating to education, hearing, speech, interpreting, rehabilitation, religion, recreation, medical…

This article discusses interdisciplinary thematic units in the context of special and general education curricula and ways that technology can be used to enhance interdisciplinary thematic units. Examples of curriculum integration activities enhanced by technology are provided in the context of productivity tools, presentation/multimedia tools,…

Purpose: We present the concept of the Green House, articulated by William Thomas as a radically changed, "deinstitutionalized" nursing home well before its first implementation, and we describe and discuss implications from the first Green Houses in Tupelo, Mississippi. Design and Methods: Green Houses are small, self-contained houses…

This fact sheet provides a national picture of the secondary school experiences of students with autism who received special education services under the auspices of school districts, by addressing the following questions: What is the pattern of course taking of secondary-school-age students with autism and in what settings are courses taken? What…

This report compares actual performance with the projected levels of performance set out in the National Council on Disability's (NCD's) annual performance plan. The findings of this report show a positive link between the allocated resources and NCD's performance. NCD's assessment review showed that it was successful in meeting its goals and…

These guidelines were developed to help school and early intervention personnel and families understand the nature and benefits of assistive technology and how to use current best practices to provide assistive technology to children with disabilities. Information is provided in a simple question and answer format on the following topics: (1)…

The Department issued this Notice of Policy Guidance (notice) to address the requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, as they apply to the education of blind and visually impaired students. This notice updates the Office of…

Education professionals may feel uncomfortable or unprepared when interacting with students with disabilities within school settings. Several federal mandates have been passed in the last 30 years to ensure that students with disabilities receive the same educational services as students without disabilities. Although these students are now in the…

The difficulties encountered by students with hearing loss and special learning needs are often attributed exclusively to hearing loss, particularly when there are no other obvious physical or sensory handicaps. A Louisiana public school system has addressed this issue for the past 9 years and has included both regular and special education…

Speech perception outcomes in young children with cochlear implants are affected by a number of variables including the age of implantation, duration of implantation, mode of communication, and the presence of a developmental delay or additional disability. The aim of this study is to examine the association between degree of developmental delay…

The national focus on excellence in education is commendable, Leave No Child Behind and the possibilities for classrooms of tomorrow. The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for Teachers-Students and developed by the NETS Team-National Educational Technology Standards Writing Team and the Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers U.S. Department…