About this page
The following links were originally gathered as part of a presentation aimed at spreading awareness about support strategies for students with learning differences, specifically those that impact reading. A dollar sign ($) indicates when there is a cost involved. We, the presenters, are not paid by nor affiliated with any of the following businesses or organizations. We just wanted to gather in one spot what we've learned and discovered.
Support Resources (for any type of learning difference)
Dance Mat Typing (BBC) - Designed by BBC, this site is designed to improve children's typing/keyboarding proficiency. Elementary students who need extra practice will love it!
• ($) Edmentum - The company Plato/Edmentum provides prepackaged online school courses and assessment tools. For students with learning differences, such online content would provide instant access to a variety of tools that physical print resources currently lack.
• ($) Kurzweil Education Systems (Firefly)- educational software designed to provide literacy support and a multisensory approach to learning.
• ($) Learning Ally - was invented after WWII as a way to support blinded soldiers who wanted to go back to school. With a school site license, there is no contract needed for students to access Learning Ally tools. This means that students who have never been officially diagnosed with a learning disability could access and use the Learning Ally support tools under the guidance of the specialist, teacher, or school librarian with the account.
•LibriVox - LibriVox provides access to FREE source audio books that are searchable by title, author, and topic. (The latter is a bit difficult to figure out.)
•YouTube audio books - YouTube includes some free audio books. Just search by title and add audibook, example: Moby Dick Audio Book. Warning! It is up to the searcher to investigate whether or not the available stories are unabridged and/or accurate.
Information Resources for various Learning Differences
•Decoding Dyslexia (California) - National grass roots organization, born out of the recognition that many students with dyslexia were not getting the support they need. Most states have their own.
Headstrong Nation - Is a stellar organization devoted to helping people with dyslexia. They've got a ton of very useful video clips listed under their Resources tab.
K12 Reader - Helpful resources for parents and teachers that focuses on and supports reading. Content on this site is organized by grade-level. Teachers will appreciate the one-page comprehension worksheets.
•National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) - Developed in 1977 with the intention of improving the lives of all people with learning disabilities. This site includes tons of information, including checklists and worksheets for diagnosing LDs. Click here to access them.
Reading Rockets -"Reading Rockets is a national multimedia literacy initiative offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help." It is from this site that we retrieved an article about why teaching cursive is still valuable and relevant today. Click here to read about the importance of teaching handwriting.
Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAim)
WebAim's goal is to make websites more user-friendly to people with learning differences. They have been in the business since 1999. They offer fabulous articles, resources, simulation exercises, as well as hands-on training sessions. (Prices for training sessions vary, depending on the delivery method and audience.) We especially like the simulation exercises that are found at the bottom of their Resources page.
WebAim's goal is to make websites more user-friendly to people with learning differences. They have been in the business since 1999. They offer fabulous articles, resources, simulation exercises, as well as hands-on training sessions. (Prices for training sessions vary, depending on the delivery method and audience.) We especially like the simulation exercises that are found at the bottom of their Resources page.
•Yale Center for Dyslexia (YCDC) - Mission is... "to uncover and illuminate the strengths of those with dyslexia, disseminate information, practical advice, and the latest innovations from scientific research, and transform the lives of children and adults with dyslexia.
Recommended Apps That Support Learning Differences
•Dragon Speech – Voice to command PC ($79)
•iStudiez – For organizing (about $10)
•Luminant Audio Notes – Note taking($20)
•Notability – for organizing
•Noteshelf and LiveScribe Pen - write on paper and have notes transferred to ipad ($40)
•OneNote – For organizing (free with MS)
•OTB Notebook – for organizing ($4.99)
•Sonocent - Note taking ($250)
•Voice Dream – reading software
•iStudiez – For organizing (about $10)
•Luminant Audio Notes – Note taking($20)
•Notability – for organizing
•Noteshelf and LiveScribe Pen - write on paper and have notes transferred to ipad ($40)
•OneNote – For organizing (free with MS)
•OTB Notebook – for organizing ($4.99)
•Sonocent - Note taking ($250)
•Voice Dream – reading software
Articles we like:
Handwriting trumps laptops - What new research reveals
Using music to teach students with special needs by Edutopia.
Handwriting trumps laptops - What new research reveals
Using music to teach students with special needs by Edutopia.