DRIVING INNOVATION to advance learning

For students with disabilities, high-tech tools can make learning easier and can give children and youth the power to participate in all aspects of their lives, whether at school, at home, in the community or in the workplace.

Mobile devices, such as iPads and Androids, and apps, such as voice recognition, offer a potent set of new assistive instructional tools, but only if those who live and work with children with disabilities have the right information and training to choose, access and use these devices appropriately.

The Center on Technology and Disability is a comprehensive web-based institute with leading-edge, evidence-based resources, training and technical assistance on assistive and instructional technology. The website features an interactive café with expert-led topical and audience-specific discussion forums; a robust library of research, training and informational resources; and a learning center with in-depth, e-learning modules on assistive and educational technologies, where teachers and providers can receive continuing education credits. Faculty teach both short webinars and in-depth courses, hold “office hours” to field individual questions and provide universal technical assistance to state and local education agencies.

By connecting students with disabilities and their families with educators, researchers, service providers and product developers, the center promotes innovation and helps to shorten the distance between research and practice in the assistive and instructional technology field. More importantly, the center enriches the lives of children and youth with disabilities by making learning more accessible and fun.

Promoting innovation and helping to shorten the distance between research and practice in the assistive and instructional technology field