This guide, which is intended for British further education staff who work with special needs learners, examines the use of information and learning technology (ILT) to improve special needs learners' literacy. Part 1 discusses how information technology resources originally developed for mainstream programs can make information and learning materials accessible to students with physical or sensory impairments and how information technology can help teaching staff design and deliver programs that meet the needs of students with learning difficulties. The following topics related to using ILT with special needs students are discussed in part 2: choosing and using CD-ROMs; selecting software for a tutor's toolkit when on a budget; locating and using websites for and about students with disabilities and reluctant readers; and using hardware solutions (expanded keyboards, mini keyboards, keyguards, overlay keyboards, switches, emulators, touch screens, mice, tracker balls, joysticks, headpointers, mouthsticks). Presented in part 3 are case studies of the following: authoring in multimedia; using software to teach syntax to deaf students; and using images to improve learners' motivation. Part 4 lists the following: software discussed in the guide, software suppliers, contacts for specialist software, useful Internet addresses, resources and publications, relevant organizations, and specialist colleges. (MN)