Learning Disabilities Association of America a group of parents and professionals started LDA and led the push for passage of the first Federal legislation mandating a free, appropriate, public education for students with disabilities. LDA's mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities and to reduce the incidence of learning disabilities in future generations.
LD Online provides information on learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and professionals. LD Online works in association with the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD). LD OnLine is an educational service of public television station WETA in Washington, D.C.
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) provides information about learning disabilities, early literacy and learning resources, support for adolescents and adults with learning disabilities, public policy and advocacy tools.
NLDLine provides information about nonverbal learning disorders (NLD). NLD is a neurological syndrome consisting of specific assets and deficits. The assets include early speech and vocabulary development, remarkable rote memory skills, attention to detail, early reading skills development, and excellent spelling skills. In addition, these individuals have the verbal ability to express themselves eloquently and have strong auditory retention. Four major categories of deficits and dysfunction also present themselves:
motoric (lack of coordination, severe balance problems, and difficulties with graphomotor skills).
visual-spatial-organizational (lack of image, poor visual recall, faulty spatial perceptions, difficulties with executive function* and problems with spatial relations).
social (lack of ability to comprehend nonverbal communication, difficulties adjusting to transitions and novel situations, and deficits in social judgment and social interaction).
sensory (sensitivity in any of the sensory modes: visual, auditory, tactile, taste or olfactory)
Learning and Speaking Disability Solutions Every Mac comes standard with assistive technologies that help people with disabilities enjoy the power and simplicity of OS X. It includes features like an advanced screen reader, FaceTime, and literacy tools that help those with a wide range of abilities get more from their Mac.
MENCAP, the voice of learning disability.
"Understanding learning disability" Mencap can help you make your information easy to understand for people with a learning disability. Or, if you have a learning disability, you might like to see their easy to read web pages and publications. [UK]
Natural Language Interfaces (NLI) Group of the The Applied Science and Engineering Laboratories (ASEL), duPont Hospital for Children, and the University of Delaware. The NLI Group encompasses several laboratories that are involved in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) research. AAC systems help people with severe disabilities to communicate. The NLI group is interested in improving the efficiency and usability of current AAC devices as well as discovering novel ways in which to aid communication. The individual units of the group are
Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) connects Delawareans who have disabilities with the tools they need in order to learn, work, play, and participate in community life safely and independently. DATI operates Assistive Technology Resource Centers that offer training as well as no-cost equipment loans and demonstrations. We also provide funding information, develop partnerships with state agencies and organizations, and publish resource materials and event calendars. A used equipment recycling program is also coordinated by DATI.
Pediatric Engineering Research Laboratory has a staff of biomedical engineers and students who work with various clinicians at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children to conceive and develop engineering solutions to medical problems. PERL has affiliations with Drexel University and University of Delaware in biomedical and mechanical engineering with full facilities for mechanical and electronic fabrication of research prototypes. PERL collaborates with a number of companies to manufacture and market devices conceived and developed at PERL. Updated
Speech Research Laboratory does research on speech disorders in children, speech analysis and synthesis, and voice banking.
Resources for Test Takers with Disabilities and Health-Related Needs The Educational Testing Service (ETS) provides guidelines for test creators to consider when writing for people with a learning disability, psychiatric disability or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ETS provides reasonable testing accommodations for candidates with documented disabilities or health-related needs, as recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act. Some accommodations we offer include extended testing time, extra breaks, a reader, a recorder/writer of answers and a separate testing room.
Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center provides adult education and literacy resources, publications, and training for teachers of adults in Virginia. From the Literacy Institute of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU School of Education).
The 9 Most Unusual College Scholarships such as tall people, fire sprinkler knowledge, duct tape prom dress, and more. College is expensive but you don't need to be a genius to get a scholarship.
AbleNet products and solutions for teaching children with disabilities
Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access CATEA) is a multidisciplinary engineering and design research center dedicated to enhancing the health, activity and participation of people with functional limitations through the application of assistive and universally designed technologies in real-world environments, products, and devices.The CATEA is affiliated with the Georgia Tech College of Design. The flagship research currently focusses on helping labs identify barriers to people with and without learning challenges.
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) helps families, health care providers, and education professionals understand childhood hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Through advocacy, education, research, and financial aid, AG Bell helps to ensure that every child and adult with hearing loss has the opportunity to listen, talk, and thrive. Financial aid programs are available for families at every stage of raising their hearing-disabled child. Updated
American Council on Education (ACE) is the nation's most visible and influential higher education association. We represent the presidents of U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions, which include two- and four-year colleges, private and public universities, and nonprofit and for-profit entities.
American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS)The purpose of this program is to assist tribal governments to develop or to increase their capacity to provide a program of vocational rehabilitation services, in a culturally relevant manner, to American Indians with disabilities residing on or near federal or state reservations. The program's goal is to enable these individuals, consistent with their individual strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choice, to prepare for and engage in gainful employment. Program services are provided under an individualized plan for employment and may include native healing services. New
Association on Higher Education and Disability® (AHEAD) is a professional membership organization for individuals involved in the development of policy and in the provision of quality services to meet the needs of persons with disabilities involved in all areas of higher education.
Center for American Indian Resilience (CAIR) at the Northern Arizona University. The definition of "resilience" in general is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change (Merriam-Webster, 2016). However, there are multiple definitions that can range in their vision of resilience. For instance, CAIR has developed their definition with holistic view and the ultimate goal being reducing health disparities among the American Indian population. New
According to CAIR: The ability to move forward like a willow with renewed energy, with a positive outlook with attainable goals to achieve one's dreams, and overcome negative life experiences from current and past political and historical events, with the goal to reduce health disparities among American Indians (Sanderson, 2012).
Center on Disability Studies (CDS) is a University of Hawaìi Board of Regents recognized Center focused upon development and conduct of interdisciplinary education / training, research / demonstration and evaluation, and university and community service. CDS consists of several focused Centers and Programs that reflect the mission and vision of the Center on Disability Studies [University of Hawaìi at Manoa] Updated
Canadian Education: TransCen, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving educational and employment outcomes for people with disabilities
Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (KTDRR) is one of a number of projects within the American Institutes for Research's (AIR) Disability and Rehabilitation practice area. Knowledge translation (KT) refers to strategies that move research into practice by improving the relevance, reporting, accessibility, interpretation, and application of research results. The Center on KTDRR focuses on KT activities to support researchers in the disability and rehabilitation field.
Computer Accommodations Program (CAP) a program to assist university students, staff, and faculty with disabilities in accessing computers and information through the use of adaptive technology. [University of Minnesota] Updated
Computer / Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) CAP provides assistive technology and services to people with disabilities; Federal managers; supervisors; IT professionals; and support to returning wounded service members in their recovery, rehabilitation, transition and employment phases.
"Creating Accessible Materials" Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning. Ensuring that your course materials are accessible is a key aspect to reaching all of your students and incorporating Universal Design in your teaching. New
Disability History Museum fosters a deeper understanding about how changing cultural values, notions of identity, laws and policies have shaped and influenced the experience of people with disabilities, their families and their communities over time.
DO-IT Faculty Room DO-IT video presentations from the [University of Washington]
College: You Can DO IT! (video) College students with disabilities and staff share advice for success in college. "Moving On: The Two-Four Step" discusses tips for making a successful transition from two- to four-year postsecondary institutions, with special guidelines for students with disabilities. [University of Washington]
Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is an internet-based digital library of education research and information sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC provides access to bibliographic records of journal and non-journal literature from 1966 to the present. ERIC also contains a growing collection of materials in Adobe PDF format. ERIC's mission is to provide a comprehensive, easy-to-use, searchable Internet-based bibliographic and full-text database of education research and information for educators, researchers, and the general public. Activities that fulfill the ERIC mission are broadly categorized as collection development, content authorizations and agreements, acquisitions and processing, database and website operations, and communications.
Gallaudet University Gallaudet University is the world leader in liberal education and career development for deaf and hard of hearing students. The University enjoys an international reputation for its outstanding programs and for the quality of the research it conducts on the history, language, culture, and other topics related to deaf people.
Institute on Community Integration (UCEDD) The Institute on Community Integration is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) whose mission is to improve the quality and community orientation of professional services and social supports available to individuals with disabilities and their families. [University of Minnesota]
Institute on Disabilities, Philadelphia, PA The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University is one of the sixty-seven University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [Temple University]
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth identifies and develops the talents of the most advanced K-12 learners worldwide. As part of Johns Hopkins University, CTY helps fulfill the university's mission of preparing students to make significant future contributions to our world. Today, CTY is the Center where young talent thrives. A former CTY student started Facebook. Another co-founded Google. CTY supports and encourages academic talent and achievement; to help in locating and nurturing talent from all neighborhoods and nations; and to engage in, and communicate, meaningful research to advance the understanding of teaching the world's most capable young people. An academic center at Johns Hopkins University, CTY is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. [Baltimore, Maryland]
CTYOnline CTYOnline connects gifted students to challenging courses, engaging faculty, and other gifted students around the world. Each year, thousands of students in Pre-K to 12, from more than 60 countries, enroll in CTYOnline, CTY's unique distance learning program that offers challenging courses throughout the year. Students can work from home or school at times convenient for them, and many earn credit or placement for their CTYOnline courses.
"Learning Differently" Archive of an article published in The Arizona Republic, Jan. 13, 2005, about a group to support parents of gifted kids in the Paradise Valley Unified School District.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) sets high quality standards, recognizes excellence, provides training and support through the lens of child development, and convenes important stakeholders to further research-to-practice and public policy on behalf of children birth through age eight.
National Association of Private Special Education Centers provide educational therapeutic services to both publically and privately placed individuals that are not able to be successfully educated in the regular education environment. These services also include infants and toddlers that are served by our early intervention service members and our postsecondary college experience and adult living programs that serve individuals who have graduated or who are over 21 and are no longer eligible for services under IDEA.
National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) researches, provides technical assistance, and engages in extensive dissemination activities on the participation of youth with disabilities in national, state, and district assessments, standards-setting efforts, and graduation requirements
Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship, is a $5,000 scholarship awarded over two years ($2,500 each year) to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability (LD) and/or ADHD who will enroll in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with LD and/or ADHD in the fall.
Anne Ford Scholarship. The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year over four years) granted to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability (LD) and/or ADHD who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor's degree program in the fall.
Bill Ellis Award is presented annually to an educator or other professional who demonstrates excellence in practice and a commitment to all students, including those with learning and attention issues. Updated
Rozelle Founders Award is presented to outstanding K-12 public and independent schools that provide effective instruction and support to all students and are successful in addressing the educational and social-emotional needs of students with learning and attention issues. Updated
National Educational Association of Disabled Students has had the mandate to support full access to education and employment for post-secondary students and graduates with disabilities across Canada (in English and French) [Canada]
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) the NIDRR is a component of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), is the main federal agency that supports applied research, training and development to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. U.S. Department of Education (ED)
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. U.S. Department of Education
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) OSERS is committed to the broad values of Inclusion, Equity and Opportunity for infants, toddlers, children, youth and adults with disabilities to actively participate in all aspects of life. OSERS promotes inclusion, ensures equity and creates opportunity as we strive to improve results and outcomes for children and adults with disabilities. U.S. Department of Education (ED)
Open University Services for Disabled Students resources for students, including good guidance on thinking about their needs, legal advice, course materials in alternate formats, and more. [United Kingdom]
Penn State Hershey College of Medicine Rehabilitation Penn State Rehabilitation is committed to providing the region with accessible, high quality and efficient care in a professional and compassionate environment.
Universal Design Education Online supports the teaching and study of universal design. It also provides a place where educators can interact with each other. Our goal is to develop a community of learners who exchange information for the benefit of all.
Vignettes Learning / Situation Expert Vignettes Learning company is an elearning and technology services company. Vignettes Learning assists clients to develop and convert content to online learning, implement Learning Management Systems and learning platforms, and hosts the programs through Vignettes Learning's secure web servers. Updated
Widgit, software for special needs, including symbols for literacy
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