Michigan's Assistive Technology Program
Assistive Technology and Schools
Michigan Resources | Websites | Books | Videos
Michigan Resources
- Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) Back in November of 2006, Michigan’s Assistive Technology Resource (MATR) became Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS). Their focus has broadened to include universal design for learning (UDL). UDL is an emerging, promising practice, that seeks to develop flexible goals, methods, materials and assessments to meet the needs of the broadest range of students.
- UCP's Assistive Technonolgy Assessment Center: The center is located in Marquette and receives funding through the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education Early Intervention Services to provide training and support to the intermediate school discticts in the Upper Penisula. They also have a blog AT in the UP.
- Michigan
Protection and Advocacy Services
Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. (MPAS) promotes, expands and protects the human and legal rights of people by providing them with information and advocacy. A lot of valuable resources exist to help understand Special Education, including the articles and links listed on the MPAS web page. Also check the publications page of this web site for additional materials, including Special Education: An Advocate's Manual. - Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) helps families of children with disabilities up until age 20 for 2,500 diagnoses, and persons 21 and older with cystic fibrosis or certain blood coagulation disorders may also qualify for services. It has a sliding fee scale based on the family's income. They help with referrals and coverage for specialty medical services, equipment, and supplies not covered by private insurance or basic Medicaid. It is a state program, but you sign up at your county health department. If you have private health insurance available through your place of work but cannot afford the premiums, they may be able to help you by paying your premiums. Parents can call 1.800.359.3722 with questions about the program or to find your county health department.
- Family Support Network: will put you in touch with other parents of children with special needs. 1-800-359-3722
- Family Information Exchange: at The Arc Michigan is staffed by other parents of children with special needs. ARC has local chapters throughout the state that offer many services for parents of children with developmental disabilities. 1-800-292-7851.
- Bridges4Kids: A non-profit parent organization providing a comprehensive system of information and referral for parents of children from birth through transition to adult life.
- Detroit Parent Network : Works to improve parent involvement in education by offering workshops, practical tools, written materials and leadership development, all designed to build a constituency of powerful parents for change. Detroit Parent Network works with any parent or primary caregiver of a school-age child (ages 4-17) who lives in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Parents who are committed to our organization and who want to promote effective parenting become members of our organization. By being a membership organization, Detroit Parent Network is responsive to parents' interests and needs. They invite parents to be a part of the organization.
- Easter Seals of Michigan Offers a variety of Children's Health Services, depending on a child's individual needs.
- Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of MichiganEnhancing the quality of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families though advocacy, education, training, service and support of research.
- Michigan Parents of the Visually Impaired: Upshaw Institute for the Blind .
- The Student Advocacy Center of Michigan: The Student Advocacy Center of Michigan is the an independent organization providing free, non-legal advocacy to students (and their parents) who are eligible for general and special public education programs.
- Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association:
The purpose of the Public School Committee (PSC) is to support and represent public school personnel affiliated with the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) including Speech/Language Pathologists, Teachers of the Hearing Impaired, Educational Audiologists, Supervisors of Speech-Language-Hearing Services, and other educational personnel. The PSC monitors and responds to issues affecting the provision of services in the public schools. In addition, the PSC encourages and celebrates excellence in public school programs through the conferring of awards. - Citizens Alliance To Uphold Special Education (CAUSE): CAUSE is a statewide non-profit coalition providing free information, referral, support, advocacy, and workshops to parents and professionals working with children with disabilities and special needs. 1-800-221-9105.
- Michigan Family-to-Family Health Information & Education Center's goal is to improve access to quality care and supports for children with special needs in their communities by empowering families. Together with other family, community, and state-wide partners, we will seek to enhance our resources and expand outreach to families across Michigan through information, education and parent-to-parent support.
AT and Special Education Related Websites:
- Speeding Change
in Special Education
"The purpose of this site is to discuss, debate, and share tactics as we try to create a better system of education that works for the widest range of students. The discussion is open, the topic list probably endless, the urgency great." There is also a related listserv you can sign up to join. The site and list contain postings on the use of assistive technology. - Assistive
Technology State Plans Website
This link on the U.S. Department of Education website provides access to each state’s Assistive Technology Plan as a Word document or pdf form. It also provides links to portions of the Department’s website that have been organized specifically for students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
- National Transition
Network: Transition Systems Change:
The mission of the National Transition Network (NTN) Transition Systems Change project is to strengthen the capacity of individual states implementing five-year state systems change projects on transition to effectively enhance school-to-work policies, programs, services, and adult life outcomes for youth with disabilities. - DREAMMS
for Kids, Inc. (Developmental Research for the Effective Advancement
of Memory and Motor Skills):
is a non-profit parent and professional service agency, that specializes in Assistive Technology (AT) related research, development, and information dissemination - Science
and math resources:
Students and professionals with disabilities must have the same access to science and math as everyone else! Science and Math Resources - Assistive Technology
Training Online Project
The Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms. - The
Family Place in Cyberspace:
The Family Place in Cyberspace is an initiative funded by the Stulsaft Foundation to address the assistive technology needs of families of children with disabilities. - Family
Guide to Assistive Technology :
An on-line book. - Funding
of Assitive Technology:
The Public School's Special Education System as a Funding Source: The Cutting Edge - The National Information
Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY):
is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. The site has a wealth of information including an on-line training program on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA '97). - The Computer
Accessibility Technology Packet:
The packet was sent by then Secretary of Education Richard Baily to state and local education agencies to inform them of their obligations to consider the technology needs of students with disabilities when purchasing hardware, software and other technological devices. Letter dated October 1997, but remains good information. Available here in text format. - The
National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP):
Promotes the effective use of technology to enhance educational outcomes for students with sensory, cognitive, physical and social/emotional disabilities. Online workshops, facilitated discussions, library of resources, videos - very useful and interactive site! - SNOW:
Special Needs Opportunity Window, from Toronto, Canada. Includes professional development in the form of online workshops and courses available, a discussion forum for teachers of students with special needs, curriculum resources and lesson plans (including adapted materials for students who are blind),resources for delivery of distance education online, and a link to SNOW's sister site "SNOW KIDS" for special needs children and their teachers and parents - learn, explore, discover and share!
Books
Education Tech Points Book
By: Gayl Bowser and Penny Reed Coalition for Assistive Technology in Oregon (CATO) 2006
Education Tech Points is a system that “has the advantage of including everyone on the IEP/IFSP team in a familiar process that assures that assistive technology will be considered in all the aspects of the child’s educational program.” The system helps identify the times when AT-related questions should be asked and provides support to existing educational teams as a way to effectively select AT and implement related services. Each Educational Tech Point identifies the specific times within the planning and provision of specially designed instruction at which the need for AT should be considered. It serves as a way to integrate AT into the thinking of the IEP/IFSP team and the management system that each school district uses to ensure provision of appropriate services to children with disabilities. Cost: $50, check or money order only. To obtain this 450-page book contact: Book ordering information.
Videos
Assistive Technology Coordinators Video:
Wisdom Shared North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, Learning Point Associates 2007.
The questions that form the spine of this video are aimed at “helping
school personnel start conversations about planning and integrating
assistive technology into systemic school change.” Interviewees
and responders are teachers, administrators and technology staffers.
Website
for AT Coordinators video.
"The contents of this web page were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government."
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