Easy Access For All
Gail Junion-Metz -- School Library Journal, 7/1/1999
The next time you're researching special education, head to these sites first
Searching for information about special education can make you feel like giving up before you begin. Since special education encompasses so many diverse topics, you can easily find yourself wading through hundreds of sites. Don't despair! Here are some great jumping-off sites that will help you locate information quickly. (All the sites this month are geared toward adults who work with kids.)
Special Ed Primers
The following three sites link to just about every special ed site worth looking at. First, there's the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, one of 16 federally funded clearinghouses on educational subjects, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Most useful are the fact sheets on various topics such as children's books about disabilities or special education statistics. The site also includes links to federal laws on disabilities and gifted kids and a list of Internet discussion groups that parents, teachers, and kids can join.
SERI: Special Education Resources on the Internet has links for parents and teachers and includes sections on inclusion and behavior disorders.
About.Com-Special Education site was compiled by Pat Linkhorn, a special ed consultant who has raised two children with special needs. Her professional expertise and first-hand experience makes this site especially valuable. You'll find links and feature articles along with online chat sessions for parents and teachers.
Disability Information
Information on physical, emotional, and learning disabilities abounds on these great starter sites. Tammy Rabideau, a librarian at the University of Michigan Library, created a "Disabilities" section for the Michigan Electronic Library. This up-to-date site is one of the more selective sites I mention; if you have only a few minutes, try Rabideau's page.
disABILITY Information and Resources was created by Jim Lubin, a quadriplegic. Jim was named "Person of the Year" for 1998 by New Mobility magazine, and he's the webmaster of four excellent sites. This is the only Web site I know of on disabilities that's written by someone living with physical challenges. Accessible Web Page Design, also created by Jim Lubin, contains information you'll need to make your library's Web site accessible to those with disabilities. Here you'll find links to help design your Web site and test whether it is accessible or not.
LDOnline is a keyword-searchable, interactive site designed for parents, teachers, and kids with learning disabilities. It was created by WETA, the PBS station in Washington, DC, and the Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities. Have kids with learning disabilities visit the "KidZone" section.
Especially for Teachers
The following two articles are from one of my favorite sites, Education-World. Both are written by Linda Starr and contain updated links to information for teachers and home-schooling parents. Teaching Special Kids contains online lessons, activities, educational strategies, and advice for using technology in special ed classrooms. Understanding Kids Who Are Different includes advice on how to teach kids about disabilities, sensitizing them to special ed kids in their families, classrooms, schools, and neighborhoods.
Web Addresses
For previous "Surf For" links visit SLJ Online at www.slj.com/links.html
ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education
www.cec.sped.org/ericec.htm
SERI: Special Education Resources on the Internet
www.hood.edu/seri/serihome.html
About.Com-Special Education
specialed.about.com/mbody.htm
Michigan Electronic Library - Disabilities
mel.lib.mi.us/social/SOC-disable.html
disABILITY Information and Resources
www.eskimo.com/~jlubin/disabled/
Accessible Web Page Design
www.eskimo.com/~jlubin/disabled/web-desi.htm
Teaching Special Kids: Online Resources for Teachers
www.education-world.com/ a_curr/curr139.shtml
