These two manuals provide instructors and participants with a curriculum to train paraeducators to provide supportive services to students with severe disabilities in inclusive classroom settings. The course requires approximately 12 hours of instruction and 10 hours of practicum and can be offered in a variety of formats (intensively or over a…

This report discusses the objectives and outcomes of a project that investigated the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems by students with severe communication disabilities. The first objective of the project was to conduct five investigations to identify skills that contribute to the communicative competence of students…

This tipsheet provides suggestions to help teachers work more effectively with students who are late-deafened. Suggestions include: (1) allow time for the student to introduce himself and discuss possible needs; (2) learn the basics of CART (Computer-Aided Realtime Translation) and other communication options; (3) learn the basics of using…

This report examines the use of auditory assistive listening devices by students who are hard of hearing or deaf in the postsecondary educational setting. Individual sections address the following topics: (1) distinctions between hearing aids and assistive listening devices; (2) assistive listening devices and the college student; (3) types of…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that used indirect language stimulation techniques and modeling to encourage language development in a 5-year-old child with cerebral palsy. Initially, the student's communication system had very severe limitations. He used fewer than 10 spoken words which were unintelligible to most listeners. Both…

A statewide (Pennsylvania) survey examined stressors and family supports of 59 families with children (ages 3 through 12) who use augmentative and alternative technology. The Parenting Stress Index and the Family Support Scale revealed that both parents perceived child-related variables of acceptance and demand as stressful but that mothers and…

This study evaluated the use of communication books (containing pictures to help a nonverbal individual initiate conversation or respond to questions) by two minimally verbal employees with severe disabilities in a supported employment setting. Results indicated that training in use of the books increased the social interactions of the workers.…

Potential individual variations in the effectiveness of facilitated communication (FC) were examined with 20 students with autism and related disorders. Use of multiple methods (including auditory or visual input, simple point responses, and typing) provided no clear support for validity of FC over students' independent communication. Increased…

Most people agree that it is important for children to be able to express their likes, dislikes, needs, and ideas. It is also important for their parents, siblings, peers, teachers, and others to be able to understand them. Yet for children with language impairments, trying to communicate is not only frustrating but can be overwhelming. In…

This practicum aimed to provide nonverbal students with a communication program to increase expressive language for daily living skills. Target students were four children (ages 6 to 7) with cerebral palsy. The practicum involved introducing children to pleasurable activities that encouraged communication behaviors, showing the children…

Four issues of "The Forum," a publication of the New York State Federation of Chapters of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), contain the following major articles: "Integration, Mainstreaming or Inclusion...Who's On First?" (Tim Knoster); "Links to the Community: Why Inclusion?" (John B. Kish and Leslie A.…

This paper describes and evaluates the National Technical Institute for the Deaf's (New York) Computer-Aided Transcription System (C-Print), a computer-aided system for transcribing speech to print in the college classroom. The system involves a hearing operator/transcriber typing the words of the teacher and students as they are spoken. A…

This final report describes activities and outcomes of a research project on a sound-to-speech translation system utilizing a graphic mediation interface for students with severe disabilities. The STS/Graphics system is a voice recognition, computer-based system designed to allow individuals with mental retardation and/or severe physical…

This study evaluated the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment and prescriptive practices currently used in various states, through a survey of project directors in all 50 states receiving funding under the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1994. The survey instrument assessed directors'…

The 11 papers in this collection address various aspects of the adoption and implementation of technology in the education of students with disabilities. An introduction by David B. Malouf of the Office of Special Education Programs introduces the collection. The following papers are included: (1) "No Easy Answer: The Instructional Effectiveness…