Literacy
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Description: This guide designed to support professionals and families in understanding assistive technology (AT) and identifying possible AT tools for students from preschool through high school. (Updated 9/2023) “I have severe dyslexia and it's hard for me to read and write. In the eighth grade, I could not write down a single word. The first time I used a program with voice recognition, I wrote a whole short story. Using AT means I can do things myself and I don't have to depend on someone else to...
Description: AIM-VA (Accessible Instructional Materials of Virginia), Bookshare, CommonLit - The Library (a free digital collection of fiction and nonfiction for classrooms), Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) - The Education Guide, Learning Ally - Unlocking Student Potential through Literacy Solutions, Library and Resource Center (Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, DBVI), National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS): The Library of Congress, ReadWorks, Student...
Description: 10 Podcasts for Dyslexia Awareness - Podcasts are a great way to incorporate media consumption into your daily life. Unlike video or reading from books, podcasts are made to be listened to “on the go”. The listening format is particularly accessible for people with dyslexia and those who find themselves super busy. I enjoy listening to podcasts in the car and while exercising. While you can find podcasts about virtually ANY topic, it is worthwhile for teachers to listen to dyslexia...
Description: The IDA Dyslexia Handbook What Every Family Should Know provides necessary information regarding: definition of dyslexia characteristics of dyslexia appropriate assessment tools evidence-based interventions, suggestions for managing a dyslexic’s educational process In addition, helpful resources and a glossary of terms are provided to better understand dyslexia and its relateddisorders.
Description: Assistive Technology That's Built Into Mobile Devices - Most smartphones and digital tablets have built-in assistive technology (AT) that can help with learning and thinking differences. The range of AT features varies depending on the device’s operating system. But iOS devices like iPhones, as well as Android devices like Samsung Galaxy phones, all have built-in AT tools. You don’t need to buy special apps to use these built-in AT features.
Description: This 2023 Children’s Mental Health Report takes a close look at the following topics to see what can ve done to remedy this urgent problem: What we know about how reading difficulties can affect kids’ mental health The latest brain-based research on how children learn to read, and how the brains of children with dyslexia are different What the evidence tells us about the most effective ways to teach children to read How we can work together to help the next generation of American...
Description: Unite for Literacy pictures a world where all children have access to an abundance of books that celebrate their languages and cultures and cultivate a lifelong love of reading. Unite for Literacy has developed the platform, publishing tools, and systems-based strategies that support our public and private sector partners to change the literacy landscape of their communities and optimize the future for all their young children. Our projects build home libraries and support families to develop a...
Description: This month is Dyslexia/LD/ADHD Awareness Month, and the author had the honor of sitting down with Resha Conroy, a parent of a child with Dyslexia. She is also a member of the National Center on Improving Literacy Family Engagement Advisory Board and has started her own non-profit, Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children.
Description: The 2022 VATTS: Resource Guide provides instructional strategies, AT solutions, modifications, accommodations, and examples used to address areas of need identified through the AT consideration process to support student success. There are two Resource Guide PDFs: an ADA Compliant version and a printable table version.
Description: Make text easier to read on small screens. Make reading as effortless as watching a video. Read faster, by reading whole phrases at a time. Speed through any text, with better comprehension. Zoom your screen in or out to adjust the font size. Use the auto-speed or click the next phrase button.
Description: Readsy is a tool to help you skim large amounts of text by focusing your eyes on one word at a time without having to move them. It is powered by Spritz, a speed reading app. To register for higher speeds, click "Login" on the top right of the Spritz box, and create an account with Spritz.
Description: The Center for Literacy & Disability Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill has developed a variety of “alternative pencils” for students with the most significant disabilities, including deaf-blindness. All the alternative “pencils” have been designed for students who are unable to hold a traditional pencil or physically manipulate a keyboard. Instead, the alternative pencils tap into students’ other developing abilities. For example, the alphabet eye gaze frame may be...
Description: The Supporting Literacy at Home Guides in English and Spanish provides parents with suggestions for supporting their children's literacy development at home, through a culturally and linguistically responsive approach to shared reading. Parents and family members are encouraged to engage in interactive reading and discussion in Spanish and/or English and their funds of knowledge are tapped by connecting the text to the families' culture and background experiences. Parents learn to use...
Description: In this TedX Talk, Grace Lin, award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, shows how the books that are not on a child’s bookshelf are just as important as those that are. Lin shares how books provide children with a window into the larger world, as well as a mirror for self-reflection, both of which foster our ability to build bridges of tolerance. Use the guiding questions provided to connect the message from this webinar to your classroom.
Description: Presentation Recordings from VDOE Family Literacy Night Family Literacy Night included presentations on the following topics: Early Childhood: Early Literacy Starts at Home Assessment Supports: An Explanation of Your Student's SOL Reports Family Field Trips: Connecting Literacy to the Commonwealth Family Engagement: Supports for the Home Virginia State Literacy Association: Choosing Books for the Children in your Lives Virginia Association for Teachers of English Equity & Community...
Description: These are some interactive apps/websites that could be used to support literacy skills practice.
Description: According to the National Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Center, important regulatory changes are have been made that should ease access to accessible formats of materials for students with reading disabilities, including dyslexia. On February 12, 2021, the National Library Service (NLS) published the regulations that go along with the Library of Congress Technical Corrections Act of 2019. In addition to expanding the list of persons who may certify a student’s...
Description: The Learning About Your Child's Reading Development toolkit helps parents and families understand the many different skills involved with teaching your child to learn to read and how to support your child's reading development at school and home. You will learn: How to tell if your child is getting high-quality reading instruction at school. Questions to ask about the reading program in your child’s school. How to tell if your child has reading difficulties and how you can help. This...
Description: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success - This toolkit helps families and schools work together to support children’s literacy success in and out of school. You will learn: Tips for starting or enhancing discussions about literacy instruction and intervention Ways to increase your joint understanding of evidence-based literacy practices Strategies for addressing concerns about children’s literacy development together This toolkit includes: An Online...
Description: The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) and TIES Center, the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies, have developed a series of videos for parents of children with significant cognitive disabilities to help them with supporting learning at home. These are the first four videos in this collaboration: Helping Your Child with Routines at Home Helping Your Child with the Foundations of Communication at Home Helping Your Child with Communication at Home...
Description: As a teacher, you recognize the need to develop self-determination skills in your students. You also realize there are certain skills and content you must teach. How can you do both at one time? As your students dip into their reading, you can pose questions, give writing prompts, and design assignments that will develop both skill in literacy and skill in self-determination.
Description: The International Dyslexia Association’s fact sheets are convenient, professionally reviewed materials designed to improve understanding and support advocacy initiatives. Fact sheets are frequently used to enrich and supplement IEP meetings, school board discussions, and district policy initiatives. Some of these fact sheets are available in Spanish.
Description: The 2020-2021 school year is starting amid a great deal of uncertainty. As instruction begins in-person, online, and with hybrid formats, teachers, families and caregivers, students and instructional teams may need to reconsider the accommodations and supports that students receive. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) along with the Assistive Technology Network (AT Network) has adapted this resource from the Indiana Department of Education that lists common daily accommodations for...
Description: The mission of Read Write Think is to provide educators, parents, and afterschool professionals with access to the highest quality practices in reading and language arts instruction by offering the very best in free materials. It is a partnership between Internatinal Literacy Association (ILA), National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and the Verizon Foundation. This site includes: Classrooom Resources, Professional Development, Videos, Parent & Afterschool Activities
Description: These materials are being provided as a resource for teachers considering remote learning options. The resources contained in this site do not reflect an endorsement from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Please refer to local remote learning guidance, policies, and practices for further clarification. For optimal viewing of this site please use the Google Chrome browser.
Description: Stop Learning Loss: Resources for Parents & Teachers - This is a place for parents and teachers across the United States to work together, to collaboratively build out a database of educational resources, materials, and activities so that no parent or teacher is on their own. Resources can be searched by: Type Grade level Subject Review This site was created by two current and former teachers: Rose Sebastian, a post-doctoral fellow in education at the University of Virginia and Kendal...
Description: The mission of NCIL is to increase access to, and use of, evidence-based approaches to screen, identify, and teach students with literacy-related disabilities, including dyslexia. This website includes resources for Parents & Families, Schools & Districts and State Agencies.
Description: Project Core is a stepping-up technology implementation grant directed by the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, Department of Allied Health Sciences, UNC-Chapel Hill. The primary goals of Project Core are two-fold: Empower teachers and classroom professionals to deliver access to a Universal Core vocabulary and communication instruction during the naturally occurring academic and daily routines of the school day. Improve the academic achievement of students with significant...
Description: The Kid Zone! was created with kids in mind. But it also is a place where families can connect with one another. Parents and caregivers play an important role in promoting and supporting children’s literacy development. You can do this by listening, looking, helping, and encouraging while your child explores the Kid Zone! In the Kid Zone!, you and your child can access ebooks, audiobooks, and stream videos of stories read aloud. Follow the adventures of Kayla, a girl with...
Description: "Helping Your Kid With..." Videos - The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk (MCPER) is dedicated to generating, disseminating, and supporting the implementation of empirically validated, evidence-based practices to significantly affect student outcomes and support educators, researchers, policymakers, families, and other stakeholders who strive to improve academic, behavioral, and social outcomes for all learners. Educational experts at MCPER have created videos to help...
Description: Bring the World to Your Classroom (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and more) WETA and PBS have curate FREE, standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more for teachers. You can browse by Subject or by Grade. Featured lesson plans in this collection contain full contextualization for the media they include. Plan and adapt our lessons in creative ways, using the Lesson Builder tool, Google Classroom, Remind, and more. For early educators, we’ve...
Description: NCII is housed at the American Institutes for Research, and works in conjunction with many of our nation's most distinguished data-based individualization (DBI) experts. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and is part of OSEP's Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network (TA&D). The Mission of the NCII is to build capacity of state and local education agencies, universities, practitioners, and other stakeholders to support...
Description: Reading Tip Sheets for Parents - Reading, and a love for reading, begins at home. Our one-page Reading Tip Sheets are available in thirteen languages and offer easy ways for parents to help kids become successful readers. Even though these tips are divided by age, many of them can be used with children at various ages and stages - parents are encouraged to choose the ones that work best for their child. These tips were created with the generous support of the American Federation...
Description: Livescribe smartpens breathe digital life into your handwritten notes and empower you to do incredible things with them. Every meeting, every lecture, every interaction, every word – make them count even more with Livescribe. Livescribe smartpens can record voice while you write, adding a new dimension of information to your notes Recorded notes are accurately transcribed and made ready to share across your cloud services from the Livescribe+ app With Livescribe your notebooks are...
Description: Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments and proofing written work. Read&Write can: Create more independent learners Motivate students to learn Help students to study smarter Support students with learning disabilities
Description: You can hear full pages read aloud with Chromebook’s built-in screen reader or hear parts of a page, including specific words, read aloud with Select-to-speak.
Description: Type with your voice You can type and edit by speaking in Google Docs or in Google Slides speaker notes. Note: This feature is only available in Chrome browsers.
Description: With this extension, you can use Immersive Reader without an internet connection. Microsoft Immersive Reader is a free tool that supports literacy development for learners regardless of age or ability. Immersive Reader uses proven techniques to enhance: Reading comprehension Language learning Decoding for readers with dyslexia Immersive Reader also powers Grammar Tools and Dictionary for Microsoft Edge.
Description: Use dictation to talk instead of type on your PC Use dictation to convert spoken words into text anywhere on your PC with Windows 10. Dictation uses speech recognition, which is built into Windows 10, so there's nothing you need to download and install to use it. Note: To use dictation, your PC needs to be connected to the internet.
Description: Narrator is a screen-reading app that's built into Windows 10, so there's nothing you need to download or install. This guide describes how to use Narrator with Windows so that you can start using apps, browsing the web, and more.
Description: Dictate your documents: Word for Office 365, PowerPoint for Office 365, Word for the web and more... This feature is available to Office 365 Subscribers only.
Description: Snap&Read offers the most complete toolkit available to meet the different ways students learn today, from students with reading challenges to advanced students who need organizational supports. Snap&Read offers the most complete toolkit available to help students comprehend everything they read with tools to assist reading, organize information, and annotate PDFs.
Description: This site is for individuals interested in beginning or enhancing literacy instruction for children with combined vision and hearing loss. Its content is also designed to improve literacy instruction for children with multiple disabilities and other complex learning challenges. Our contributors include State Deaf Blind Project staff as well as teachers who want to give back to the field and help more families play a role in educating children with complex learning challenges. The...
Description: Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. Our math missions guide learners from kindergarten to calculus using state-of-the-art, adaptive technology that identifies strengths and learning gaps. We've also partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art,...
Description: As part of its barrier-busting mission, CAST offers a number of robust (and free) learning tools. These tools—many designed and tested as part of CAST’s research projects—help educators, developers, families, and other individuals experience the power of flexible learning environments. Clusive®?: An Accessible, Digital Reading Platfort Corgi: Co-organize Your Learning Biofab Explorer TIES Lessons for All: The 5-15-45 Tool CAST Figuration®? Learning Designed™ UDL...
Description: Make Beliefs Comix - Students can build their own comic strips on the website, with ample scaffolding. Previously available for six languages, the site has added functionality so that users can write text for balloons in ANY language. This site includes resources for creating comic strips, printables, writing tools as well as resources for Teachers, Parents, ESOL/Literacy, Special Needs, Apps, E-Books & More.
Description: AIM-VA provides accessible instructional materials to eligible Virginia K-12 students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are unable to access traditional print. Accessible instructional materials can positively impact student performance. What is a Print Disability? A ‘print disability’ has been defined as, a student who cannot effectively read print because of a visual, physical, perceptual, developmental, cognitive, or learning disability. Who is Eligible for...
Description: Make & Play Quiz (Google Play) is a free app that allows teachers to design their own unique board game or "quiz", where students can learn or strengthen their skills by playing a game. Each square can have a Question (Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank or True/False) or an Event (Stop-skip turns, Go forward, Go Back or Get Points). One to four players can play at a time and the games can be shared with others.
Description: Multisensory instruction can help kids improve reading and writing skills. It works by engaging more than one sense at a time. Lots of teachers use techniques like these. But you can try them at home, too. Downloads include: Color-Coded Word Building Tiles Read it Build it Write It Story Stick Questions
Description: There are many different kinds of graphic organizers. The five downloadable ones here are commonly used in grade school, but they can help kids through high school. Each one also comes with an example of what the graphic organizer looks like when it’s filled in. All you need to do to use these graphic organizers is print them out. (The designs are also simple enough that you can quickly draw them by hand.) These graphic organizers are also fillable. So if your child prefers to type, he can...