Website Links

To access the website of your choice simply click on the blue words.

 

  • PACER Organization - A news magazine of PACER Center, Inc. by and for parents of children and young adults with disabilities. 

  • www.dsaw.org - Down Syndrome Association of WI. 

  • www.wsti.org - Sensory issues are the key to so many behavioral challenges that children, and therefore parents and teachers, confront.  This will be a perfect way to have many of your questions about puzzling behavior answered.

  • IDEA Practices - assists teachers, school administrators, and related service professionals in complying with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

  • Wrightslaw - offers information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities, for parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys.

  • Special Education Resources on the Internet -SERI - lists the freely available tools in special education, plus it contains new original material from NCPSE.

  • U.S. Department of Education - Office of Special Education Programs - dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.

  • Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) - committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages.

  • SNOW - Special Needs Opportunity Windows - aimed at developing innovative ways for learners with special needs to electronically access curriculum materials.

  • Behavior Page - resource for school personnel, parents, and other professionals concerning the full range of behavior problems and challenges displayed by children and youth in school.

  • Marc's Special Education Page - contains a large collection of special education links.

  • About.com: Special Education - includes information about inclusional strategies, assistive technology, teacher strategies, and more.

  • Maddux Special Education - links to other disability and special education-related sites, as well as information of interest to disabled children, their teachers and parents.

  • Speaking of Speech - allows speech/language pathologists and teachers to share ideas, materials, advice, and techniques.

  • School-to-Work Outreach Project - the STWOP was a nationwide, three year project funded by the U.S. Department of Education to improve school-to-work activities including students with disabilities by identifying and sharing school-to-work models/practices/strategies that work, encouraging others to adopt or replicate those models.

  • Tinsnips - offers ideas, activities, suggested reading, and more for teachers of students with autism and developmental disabilities.

  • Gentle Teaching - non-aversive approach of teaching people with mental retardation with a focus on establishing safe and bonded interpersonal relations.

  • Polyxo.com: Teaching Children With Autism - resource for parents, professionals, or anyone interested in teaching children with autism or other related developmental disorders.

  • Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Site - offers practical and legal information for educators, parents, and policymakers.

  • Special Education Technology-British Columbia (SET-BC) - program of the BC Ministry of Education established to assist school districts to educate students with disabilities.

  • Behavior Disorders - provides information for teachers and parents on behavior disorders, medication, special education, and more.

  • Bry-Back Manor - offers activities and resources for people who care for young children or children with special needs.

  • Inventory for Client and Agency Planning (ICAP) - assesses the type and amount of special assistance that people with disabilities may need.

  • Autism and School Based Programming - offers information for establishing developmentally appropriate programming for students diagnosed with autism or low-functioning Pervasive Development Disorder.

  • Federal Resource Center for Special Education - helps Regional Resource Centers improve programs, policies, and practices.

  • Catalyst, The - publishes a quarterly newsletter concerning computers and related technology for children and adults with any disability, focusing on special education and rehabilitation.

  • Mindworks - provides links and articles regarding learning disabilities for teachers, parents, and students.

  • Special Needs and Special Gifts - explains laws and regulations relevant to parents of special needs students.

  • SpEdEx - The Special Education Exchange - offers special education resources to educators, professionals, parents, consumers, students, and others interested in special education.

  • National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities (NDPC-SD) - supports states in assisting local education agencies to increase school completion rates and decrease dropout rates among students with disabilities.

  • Integrating Minnesota Graduation Standards and Special Education - framework for integrating graduation standards with center-based and low-incidence programs.

 

WEBSITES AND RESOURCES:

 

Links to numerous sites on IDEA 2004 are located at:

Ø      www.dpi.state.wi.us/sped/idea.htm

Ø      IDEA 2004 FAQ ( 26 pages, pdf):  http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/education/idea/ideafaq.pdf

Ø      OSEP-Review Materials on IDEA 2004 at www.nichcy.org/idealist.htm

Ø      IDEA 2004 Overview, Explanation, and Comparison, IDEA 2004 vs. IDEA 97; by Peter W. D. Wright, Esq. (56 pages, pdf) at www.wrightslaw.com

Ø      CESA #7 Website: www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/issues-2003IDEA/IDEA_userguide.pdf

Ø      Early Childhood education:  http://www.collaboratingpartners.com/  

Ø     This is a comprehensive list of post secondary options and career exploration opportunities.   www.wowyouth.org/directory      

Ø      Your complete listing of disability information on the Web.  www.icdi.wvu.edu/others.htm

 

 

 

Free Online Resources

  

Universal Design For Learning

 

 

CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology)

http://www.cast.org/and http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools

Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age

Available online at http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes

Dr. Dave L. Edyburn -~ UW-Milwaukee

http://www.uwm.edu/~edyburn/index.html

Colored Filters

http://www.onionmountaintech.com/

http://www.headsupnow.com/

http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/

  

Resources

 

 

http://www.onlineconferencingsystems.com/at.htm- A list of free online AT resources.

http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/behave/homepage.html- A list of strategies for

challenging behaviors.

http://paulhami.edublogs.org/- Free resources from the Net for Special Education. The purpose of this blog is to highlight free downloadable programs and online resources of good quality that may be of value to educators and their students.

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/- A blog by Larry Ferlazzo that focuses on websites that will help you teach ELL, ESL and EFL.

http://www.carlscorner.us.com/- Made by a retired educator with printables for reading, language and writing.

http://www.childrenwithspecialneeds.com/- Information on disabilities by type, equipment with photos, PECS downloads and webrings.

http://www.easyfunschool.com/Over 1500 pages of articles, resource links and other features for making home schooling fun.

http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/- A global community that integrates information,

resources and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with cognitive

disabilities and other disabilities, for their families and for those that provide them

services and support.

http://www.setbc.org/— A Canadian based website that is a rich resource for both graphics and interventions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities. Click on the Learning Center at the top of the home window and then check both the “Communication” and “General Topics” sections. You will find webcasts, narrated demonstrations, printed resources, assistive technology guidelines and downloadable visual supports for both receptive and expressive communication.

http://www.filefolderheaven.com/— A web site with file folder activities that are free to print out. Primarily for young children.

http://www.learningplanet.com/- PK — grade 12. The activities are by grade level, subjects, and categories and are free to download.

http://www.dotolearn.com/- Teaching suggestions and downloadable materials for special educators, especially those working with autism spectrum disorders.

http://www.awesomelibrary.com/- Awesome Library organizes the web with 35,000 carefully reviewed resources, including the top 5 percent in education.

http://www.ajkids.com/— Ask Jeeves for Kids. A search engine designed for kids. You can enter your search in the form of a question.

http://babelfish.altavista.com/- Translates websites or text into multiple languages.

Reading

http://www.readplease.com/— A free text reader.

http://www.naturalreaders.com/— Another free text reader.

http://www.sparknotes.com/— The online version of Cliffs Notes, Spark Notes is the

online source of study guides for many popular literary novels. Also has information on math, colleges and test preparation.

http://www.readwritethink.org/- ReadWriteThink, established in April of 2002, is a partnership between the International Reading Association (IRA), the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and the Verizon Foundation. NCTE and IRA are working together to provide educators and students with access to the highest quality practices and resources in reading and language arts instruction through free, Internet-based content.

http://www.symbolworld.org/— Offers free downloads that have been adapted with picture communication symbols including stories and learning activities. To access an e-live magazine for older students (completely adapted with picture symbols) the user must subscribe. It is well worth doing since the subscription is free and many back issues of the magazine are available along with the current issue, in PDF for downloading.

  

Early Childhood

 

 

http://www.berenstainbears.com/— Free information including character graphics and descriptions, interactive storybooks, calendar, board game and a set of Berenstain Bear paper dolls with 8 wardrobe pages.

http://www.preschoolbystormie.com/- A site with tons of thematic and other resources.

Resources are divided by themes and months. Developed for preschool but easily

adaptable for CD programs.

  

Switch Users

 

 

http://www.hiyah.net/— This site offers free software downloads which offers high interest subjects to keep children engaged and actively learning. The materials are for children ages 18 month through 4 years but are appropriate for many children with special needs. It uses the spacebar as a mouse or can be set up to use a switch.

http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/- Priory Woods is a special school in

England for children of all ages with severe learning difficulties and those with profound and multiple needs. The website offers a wide range of free and practical resources.

http://www.portal.northerngrid.org/- SENSwitcher is a suite of

programs designed to help teach early ICT skills to people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, those who need to develop skills with assistive input devices and very young children new to computers. It is, we believe, the first time anyone anywhere has developed an online switch enabled application which targets ICT skills from purely experiential through cause and effect, switch building, timed activation, targeting and row scanning.

http://letsplay.buffalo.edu/- Playing with switches for B-2. Switch types, how to adapt

toys, switch characteristics, determining interests and abilities.

  

Science

 

 

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html-A site developed by NASA to help children learn about space. It has a text reader built into the site and the ability to choose between two different reading levels.

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/— Windows to the Universe is a learning system covering the Earth and Space sciences for use by the general public. The site is written in three reading levels approximating elementary, middle school and high school reading levels and Spanish or English.

http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/index_d.html- A website that that has information about the human brain. Search for information by topic, level of explanation, level of

organization, module, and a guided tour. It has three different reading levels.

http://www.hhmi.org/askascientist- Ask a Scientist connects you to some of the top scientists in the country, and each of them is connected to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. If you’ve got a question about medicine, zoology, biochemistry, botany, microbiology, or genetics, then please, Ask a Scientist.

  

History and Current Events

 

 

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ — This site provides learning tools for K-12 students, parents, and teachers. These resources will teach how our government works, the use of the primary source materials of GPO Access, and how one can use GPO Access to carry out their civic responsibilities.

http://www.tenbyten.org/— 10x10 (‘ten by ten’) is an interactive exploration of the words and pictures that define the time. Every hour, 1 Ox 10 collects the 100 words and pictures that matter most on a global scale, and presents them as a single image, taken to encapsulate that moment in time. Click any word or image to zoom in and see the news headlines behind the word.

http://www.unclejayexplains.com/— A weekly video or podcast about the week’s events. For older students as it is often satirical.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do- A website by the History Channel. Videos of all the important events from that date in history.

  

Writing

 

 

http://www.aaaspell.com/— Games and activities to help students improve their spelling skills. Has spelling lists for students from Grade I to Grade 8.

http://www.slatersoftware.com/— Monthly samples of stories developed using PixWriter. Pictures accompany words to help the child read a short story.

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer- A website with many types of graphic organizers that teachers can print and use with their students.

http://www.citationmachine.net/— Helps students to properly write citations and

references.

  

Math

 

 

http://www.aaamath.com/- AAA Math features a comprehensive set of interactive arithmetic lessons. Unlimited practice is available on each topic which allows thorough mastery of the concepts. A wide range of lessons (Kindergarten through Eighth grade level) enables learning or review to occur at each individual’s current level.

http://www.aplusmath.com/- This web site was developed to help students improve their math skills interactively. Students can play games, do virtual flashcards, print flashcard, complete worksheets and check homework solutions.

http://www.coolmath4kids.com/— Math activities for children ages 3 through high school.

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html - National Library of Virtual Manipulatives. Allows children to interactive with manipulatives on the computer. For grades PK-12. A fee site, but has free download trial.

http://www.webmath.com/— A website that helps children to see how a math problem is solved and then see the correct answer, from general math through calculus.

http://www.themathworksheetsite.com/- With The Math Worksheet Site you can create an endless supply of printable math worksheets. The interface gives you the ability to easily customize each worksheet to target your student’s specific needs. Every worksheet is created when you request it, so they are different every time.

 

Misc

 

http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/

 

http://www.wati.org

 

http://www.rescue.wikispaces.com/misc

  

 

 

 

Make a Difference:  A Guidebook for Person-Centered Direct Support

This site guides a learning journey that supports action learning about relationship building, planning with people in a person-centered way, supporting choice & building community inclusion.  For information on course adoption or for a price quote on multiple copies contact Cathy Hollands at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 416-658-5363.  Order from www.inclusion.com

 

Summer Camps for People with Disabilities                  

Milwaukee Center for Independence is offering outdoor adventure activities to people with developmental challenges.  Must be at least 16 years old resident camp and 12 years old for day camp.  One week sessions running through the summer.  Adventures for L.I.F.E.  www.mcfi.org

 

 

Recreation Opportunity:  Wisconsin Lions Camp         

Two types of family camps are offered.  One camp for families who have a deaf and hard of hearing or blind and visually impaired children.  The second camp is for families with cognitively disabled or physically disabled children.  Minimal fees to cover the operating cost of the program.

www.wisconsinlionscamp.com

 

 

What Works In Education?                                               

What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) helps the community locate and recognize credible and reliable evidence to make informed decisions.  WWC was established in 2002 by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to provide educators, policymakers, researchers, and the public with a central and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education.  http://www.whatworks.ed.gov/whatwedo/overview.html

 

Resources for Positive Behavioral Supports                   

For more information on school-wide positive behavioral supports to encourage school administrators to learn about and implement.  The National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Intervents and Supports (PBIS) has been established by the Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education to give schools capacity-building information and technical assistance for identifying, adapting, and sustaining effective school-wide disciplinary practices.  http://www.pbis.org/. 

 

Adaptive Sports Program – Milwaukee Recreation                  

These sports programs offer individuals with primary physical, visual, or hearing disabilities the opportunity to learn and improve sport skills.  These programs allow the opportunity for participants to increase their physical fitness, socialize with peers, and increase their self-confidence through competition.  Activities include:  Wheelchair basketball, Youth and Adult Wheelchair Ice Hockey, Blaze Goalball, Power Soccer/floor hockey, Wheelchair Football, Blaze Track & Field, Modified Sports for Me, Blaze Quad Rugby, Adult competitive wheelchair basketball, and Danceworks.  Fees vary.  Sponsored in conjunction with MPS and Independence First.  For more information please call 414-647-6043.

 

Camp AweSum Looking for Summer Staff – All Call               

Camp AweSum, invites anyone interested in staffing our 2006 camp session, June 25, 2006 to July 1, 2006, to a weekend retreat with Dr. Glenis Benson.  Dr. Benson will conduct a training on characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders, supports, use of visuals, redirection, defusing, and camping with children on the Autism Spectrum and much, much more.  Activities begin on Friday, February 24th, 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, February 26, 2006.  To be a part of this exciting experience, please fill out a completed counselor application form found at http://www.campawesum.org/ and send it in by January 10, 2006.  Call 715-479-4342 for more information.

 

Easter Seals Respite Camp                                                                       

Located in Wisconsin Dells, this camp provides a supportive environment where your child can interact with his peers and benefit from the one-on-one care of a trained counselor.  The camp allows parents/caregivers a well-deserved break from caregiving, while your child discovers his sense of adventure.  Check the website for list of weekends and costs:  http://www.eastersealswisconsin.com/ or call 1-800-422-2324.

 

Call for Parents In Partnership (PIP) Proposals 2006-2007               NEW ADDITION

Parents In Partnership (PIP) is a four or five part leadership opportunity for parents, foster parents, or other care givers who have children with special needs, 6-14 years old or youth with special needs 12-21 years old.  Parents who participate have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, support networks, and positive parent-professional partnerships.  PIP is sponsored by the Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction through federal special education discretionary funds.  Community or parent groups can submit proposals that would include the following:  hosting the PIP training and identifying 10 or more parents who have not attended a PIP before and are willing to commit to 4 or 5 weekends in the coming year.  A weekend is defined as Friday evening to Saturday at 4:00 p.m.  Proposals must be submitted by March 24, 2006 to:  Martha DeYoung; P.O. Box 564, Portage, WI 53901.  Contact Martha at 608-742-8814, ext. 25 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Parent Record Files – WSPEI Blue Expandable Files             NEW ADDITION

These handy filing systems are currently being printed and should be available in February.  The expandable files are a great tool to provide families with a way to get a better handle on the special education system.  Parents are typically overwhelmed with all the paperwork that comes home and this provides a place to store it all.  File folders can be purchased for $2.40/each.  Shipping and handling is extra.  Contact CESA #12 to order.  Please include your contact name, district, address to be shipped, quantity ordered, and shipping information.  UPS will be used unless otherwise specified/requested. 

Purchase order/check must be made out to CESA 12

                                                            Attention:  Sue Miller

                                                            619 Beaser Avenue

                                                            Ashland, WI  54806

 

Wisconsin Family Ties

Wisconsin Family Ties is a statewide organization that provides information & referral, education & training, advocacy, and support to families that include children with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.  They also have a newsletter that is printed approximately four times per year addressing specific issues such as school and IEPs, bullying, suicide, etc.  For more information contact:  Kathryn Jalas Fanke at 262-646-4455 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . In Kenosha County contact:  Ginger Fobart at 262-652-3031 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Web Site:  www.familyties.org

 

Emergency Evacuation of People with Physical Disabilities from Buildings:  2004 Conference Proceedings                                                              NEW ADDITION

The report summarizes the deliberations and recommendations of an Interagency Subcommittee on Technology workshop held Oct. 13-14, 2004.  The two-day workshop provided a forum for discussion on research recommendations to improve available data, building and life safety codes, evacuation technologies and evacuation practices for people with physical disabilities.  PDF version: http://www.icdr.us/documents/pwd-emergency-evac.doc  Word version: http://www.icdr.us/documents/pwd-emergency-evac.doc.

 

 

Tips on Taking Care of Yourself in the New Year                     NEW ADDITION

From Wrightslaw: Tips: Taking Care of Yourself

Raising a special needs child can be overwhelming. If you are not careful, special education can consume your life. Many parents drive themselves until they are exhausted and burned out.  Pace yourself. Listen to tapes about time management. Use a schedule to gain control of your life. Spend time with friends or family to re-charge your batteries and regain a healthy perspective. See more ideas: http://www.fetaweb.com/01/tips.takecare.htm

 

New Year’s Resolutions for Parents of Kids with Special Needs         NEW ADDITION

Focused on autism, but can be thought-provoking for all parents. http://autism.about.com/library/blresolution.htm  OR

http://www.autism-society.org/site/R?i=Qaf3XQaNvD4i8YenCKb0Pw

 

 

Future Planning for Your Child with Special Needs                             NEW ADDITION

How can you, as a parent, be assured that your son or daughter will lead as complete a life as possible after your death? What can you do to make sure your hopes and aspirations are realized? Writing a letter of intent is a critical step in the planning process. This critical document permits parents to communicate vital information about their son or daughter to future caregivers.

Free Downloadable Letter of Intent Form – An 88 Item Checklist Showing Parents How to Communicate their Wishes and Knowledge about their Son or Daughter with a Disability to Future Caregivers;  

See more: http://www.bridges4kids.org/phprint.php

 

On-Line Learning Opportunities                                      NEW ADDITION

"Partners in Education," is a six-hour, self-directed e-learning course to help parents with children with developmental disabilities better understand and maximize the benefits of special education services and inclusion for their children, is now available. Go to www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/education
http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/education to review the course and give us your comments and feedback.