The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of two teaching models, the expository presentation of Merrill and Tennyson's model and Gagne's model, in acquisition and maintenance of square and triangle concepts in students with mental retardation. The participants of the study were chosen from students with mental…

We describe new materials available at the Arecibo Observatory for visitors with visual impairments. These materials include a guide in Braille that describes the telescope, explains some basic terms used in radio astronomy, and lists frequently asked questions. We have also designed a tactile model of the telescope. Our interest is in enabling…

Irresponsible and inaccessible web design causes unnecessary problems to certain website users. By applying the web content accessibility guidelines to a website the amount of possible users who can successfully view the content of that site will increase especially for those who are in the disabled and older adult categories of online users. We…

Background: The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative has issued guidelines for making websites better and easier to access for people with various disabilities (W3C Web Accessibility Initiative guidelines 1999). Method: The usability of two versions of a website (a non-adapted site and a site that was adapted on the basis of easy-to-read guidelines)…

Universal design is a process that ensures that a newly created product is useful to the broadest possible array of people, particularly those with disabilities. Often, designing for specific disabilities proves beneficial for all. The sloped curb corner, for example, allows wheelchairs, strollers, bicycles, and, indeed, any pedestrian to move…

Many have elaborated on the potential of virtual reality (VR) in learning. This article attempts at organizing the literature in this issue in order to better identify indicators that can account for future valid trends, and seeks to bring to attention how authors who wrote about the future of VR in education confused futures' terms and produced…

The field of special education has begun to concentrate its efforts on developing objectives and procedural strategies that promote a positive quality of life for students with profound multiple disabilities, while determining which educational strategies are the most appropriate. A multi-element design was used to compare the effects of two…

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) was charged by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) from 2001-2006 to develop, implement, and evaluate an approach to technical assistance that would result in sustainable systems change in state Early Intervention and Preschool Special…

The nation's changing economy requires workers to attain increasingly higher job skills. Leaders in education, workforce development, and economic development recognize the need to help workers meet this challenge and to help employers find qualified employees. Barriers to educational and career opportunities will need to be removed so that…

Finding a job, learning to live independently, and obtaining further education are important goals for all young adults as they leave high school. But achieving these goals is often extremely difficult for students who are deaf-blind. Limited or absent hearing and vision, difficulties with communication, and the frequent presence of additional…

This article presents a multicase study of two systems of schools striving to reform service delivery systems for students with special needs. Considering these systems as institutional actors, the study examines what promotes the understanding and implementation of special education service delivery within a system of schools in a manner that…

This article presents a review of the research on technology integration in the area of literacy for individuals with mild disabilities. It describes relevant legislation, including how special education technology is impacted by the No Child Left Behind Act (2001). Included studies focus on research in the core content areas of reading and…

In this paper, we discuss our experience of facilitating the development, creation and execution of audio description for an elementary school production of "Fiddler on the Roof" by three grade eight students. The students were supervised by the production's director, their drama teacher, and assisted by the authors. An actor with experience…

This article discusses the development and use of an on-line portfolio process. It presents a background rationale for the need and effectiveness of a communication tool that supports the use of the portfolio process throughout the education of a child with identified disabilities. The process for developing the individualized Web page is…

An accessible library media center (LMC) offers many benefits for the school community. Library media specialists can support their education colleagues in delivering inclusive learning opportunities to a wide range of students. Assistive technology (AT) deployment in the LMC can benefit students and teachers by spotlighting low-, mid-, and…