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Welcome to the wiki for **Introduction to Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation**. This wiki will be used to present what you have learned on the web and in class about assistive technology.

[|SET game]. Since we all had a great time playing this card game, I thought I’d post it up here. This is a game of visual perception.

I am looking forward to getting more information related to our projects and presenation. There were several devices displayed in the video today that are of interest to me.

I would like to learn more about devices used for children with mild/moderate disabilities. The website http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Strategies_for_Mild_Moderate_Disabilities&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=24&ContentID=4705 There is information on assisted technology including an adapted bicycle for children who have difficulties learning to ride.

http://www.peoples-law.org/education/special-education.htm This website is an overview of special education in Maryland. I will be working in Maryland and maybe someone else is too.

Cultural, educational, and legal changes have significantly altered the mix of students in regular education classrooms. Today's typical classroom might include students whose first language is not English; students who are not reading on grade level; students with behavioral, attentional, and motivational problems; students from varied cultural backgrounds; and students classified as gifted. In addition, there are students with particular needs, such as limited vision, motor disabilities, emotional difficulties, speech and language difficulties, and learning disabilities.

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/assistive_tech.htm This lists a lot of resources to find further information about assistive technology in special education classrooms. It gives an overview of each type of assited tachnology.

I added a link to a website on the Assistive Technology page to the left. It is a link for parents that is interesting and gives specific case studies.

I found an interesting blog created by a science teacher of 20 years who has also taken on the role of a K-12 techology integration specialist and has dedicated much of her time to support teachers as they integrate technology in their classroom, assist the special education department with assistive technology and promote universal design for learning. She adds pages to the blog that reflect her ideas on differentiated instruction, assistive technology, and universal design, all of which we discussed in today's class. http://www.bethknittle.net/WP_Blog/

This is an interesting study about two children with severe disabilities using microswitches as tools to help them control their surroundings. By being able to only move one's head one in a certain direction the microswitch will be the verbalizer so the student can communicate. http://proxy.nss.udel.edu:2146/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VDN-4GJVB45-1&_user=260508&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F2006&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000015498&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=260508&md5=88c79a7e0f03e2c74007c2436ba7b9cd

Fact: Many children have a natural, uninhibited curiosity and may ask questions that some adults consider embarrassing. But scolding curious children may make them think having a disability is "wrong" or "bad." Most people with disabilities won't mind answering a child's question. This myth came from the Easter Seals website......what do you guys think? Do you agree or disagree?
 * Myth 8: Curious children should never ask people about their disabilities.**

I agree that we should not scold children for asking questions about people with disabilities. If a child asks a question, we should answer it to the best of our ability or ask the person with the disability. I think most people with disabilities will no get offended if a child is looking at them or of a child has a question for them.

Assistive technology is covered by the Delaware Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) when it is medically necessary, covered under the State Plan, and prescribed by a physician. Medicare, often confused with Medicaid, is a health insurance program administered by the federal government. One of the things that distinguishes Medicare from Medicaid is that Medicare's rules are the same for each state. Madicare also requires program participants to make their own co-payments and pay an annual deductible.

http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/ - cool website about guide dogs for the blind. Got to have respect for these amazing animals. This is a great website to reccommend to families of your students who are looking for funding for assistive technology. http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html