Learning disabilities and Accessible Information Technology is a month-long
EASI online course starting Dec. 2 http://easi.cc/workshops/ld.htm

** Because of the holidays, the course will spill over into January.

Hidden disabilities such as various kinds of learning disabilities present
special problems when it comes to talking about the role of assistive or
adaptive technologies as tools to assist the person conquer some of the
problems posed by the disability.  It is simple to understand that
technology might help people with sensory, communication problems, but why
would they be any help for a learning disability?

The fact is that there is special software designed to assist people with
visual and cognitive processing disorders.  Also other software which was
originally designed for people who are blind or have low vision can provide
useful technical support for the LD population as well.

Lessons cover:

 Lesson 1B: Learning Disabilities: An Introduction
 Part 1: Legislation
 Part 2: Learning Disability Defined
 Part 3: Postsecondary Learning Disability Resources

 Lesson 2A: Universal Design in Education
 Part 1: UDE Defined
 Part 2: Translating UD in Architecture to Education
 Part 3: Universal Design for Learning Disabilities

 Lesson 2B: Assistive Technology for Processing: Reading Support Tools
 Part 1: Support for Knowledge Construction
 Part 2: Processing AT for Reading
 Part 3: Exploration of Reading Tools

 Lesson 3A: Assistive Technology for Processing: Writing Support Tools
 Part 1: Processing AT for Writing
 Part 2: Exploration of Writing Tools

 Lesson 3B: Writing Continued and Handheld Technologies
 Part 1: Continued Exploration of Writing Tools
 Part 2: Handheld Technology

 Lesson 4A: Web Accessibility and Students with Learning Disabilities
 Part 1: Web Accessibility Guidelines
 Part 2: Web Accessibility Resources

 Lesson 4B: Summary and Conclusions

 Course Instructors
 Deb Dimmick, Senior Assistive Technology Specialist, MS. Ed., Special
 Education
 Maine Educational Center for Assistive Technology and Software (MECATS)
 University of Southern Maine
 Cynthia Curry
 ALLTech Course Developer
 University of Southern Maine

Register at http://easi.cc/workshops/ld.htm

 EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) is a non-profit
 organization, and our mission is to make information technologies more
 accessible to users with disabilities. Previous online courses have
reached more than 3,000 people in more than 30 countries.

Norman Coombs, Ph.D.
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