This document provides the proceedings of a July 2002, one-day capacity building institute on access and participation of students with disabilities in the general K-12 curriculum. Introductory material provides background information on the institute, the relevance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to increased curriculum access, an overview…

There are many ways in which the school library can contribute to the personal growth of students with disabilities enrolled in mainstream schools and in fostering acceptance and understanding of these students by their non-disabled peers. A four-year study of school library provision for students with disabilities in two Australian states,…

Four issues of "ACTTive Technology" include major articles, editorials, suggested curriculum activities, reviews of software and educational media, early childhood and technology news items, and conference calendars. Major articles include: "Why Use a Switch or TouchWindow?" (Linda Robinson and Carol Schneider); "Teachers Identify Important…

Four issues of "ACTTive Technology" include major articles, editorials, suggested curriculum activities, reviews of software and educational media, early childhood and technology news items, and conference calendars. Major articles include: "Teaching and Learning with Technology" (Joyce Johanson); "Use Switches and Alternate Keyboards To Add Music…

This guide is designed to help those involved with the United Kingdom's Workers' Educational Association (WEA) to recognize the learning needs of and to develop teaching methods for students with visual impairments (VIs). Introductory materials cover objectives and how to use the guide. Section 1, "What Do We Mean by VI?" compares…

Describes strategies used by reference librarians to provide service to the developmentally disabled, including reference service to volunteer and professional service providers, specialized information networks, information and referral services, and key reference tools. Deinstitutionalization, normalization, the developmental model, and least…

An Exxon-sponsored project at Berkeley on architectural design with the handicapped user in mind is described. Handicapped people are used as a resource in teaching an architectural design course. Physical disability and architectural access are seen as meaningless unless taught within a context of human experience. (MLW)

A condensed version of a brief filed in the case of a deaf graduate student requesting that the university provide a sign language interpreter is presented. Arguments concern the misconstrual of previous court rulings, of the law, and of whether or not the specific program in question must be federally funded. (MSE)

The design of new public library buildings is influenced by a changing information environment. This article describes the impact of information technology (IT) and community attitudes and expectations on public library planning and design. Outlines considerations for building design: location, identity, symbolism, ambiance, accessibility, size,…

This article discusses developments in information technology that underscore the need for greater awareness, facilitation of universal design, and a focus on nontechnological barriers to implementing technology. Trends in mainstream products and assistive technology are summarized and suggestions for analyzing products for accessibility and for…

Describes how a historic church building in New Woodstock, New York was converted into a full-service modern library. Discusses community support and patron involvement in the project, the design plan which retained the historical integrity and satisfied modern requirements, funding from local contributions, spatial arrangements, and provisions…

Focuses on institutional compliance with disability discrimination laws and the need to balance the rights of disabled individuals with the institution's desire to preserve program integrity. Emphasizes students' rights and responsibilities and looks at meaningful access, effective accommodation, confidentiality, and other issues. Cites 22 legal…

As the Internet and the World Wide Web grow, more teachers are authoring school Web pages. Such pages have particular potential for use in rural areas by special educators, but their quality is often poor. All Web pages should be accessible for people with disabilities. Solutions to common accessibility and other problems are described. (Contains…

Fourteen teachers of students with visual impairments who were visually impaired themselves were either interviewed in a focus group or observed in their itinerant or resource room settings. Issues of transportation, access to information, assessment, and instructional responsibilities were addressed. Participants reported that while barriers to…

This technical report was developed to provide support for a position statement by the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities that addresses access to communication services. It argues that eligibility policies and practices often preclude individuals from access to needed communication services.…