Contact PACER | Donate | Search

Navigation Menu

• Home
• About PACER
  • PACER Facts
  • History
  • Leadership
  • Press Room
• How PACER Helps
• Programs & Resources
  • Programs
  • Publications
  • Translated Materials
  • Web Sites
  • Newsletters
  • Workshops
  • Archived Webinars
  • Public Policy
• News & Events
  • News
  • Events Calendar
• Get Involved
  • Become a Volunteer
  • Make a Donation
  • Corporate Sponsors
  • Special Events

Computer Monitor Navigation Menu

• Computer Monitor: Spring 2007
• Computer Monitor: Fall 2006
• Computer Monitor: Spring 2006
• Computer Monitor: Fall 2005
• Computer Monitor: Spring 2005
• Computer Monitor: Fall 2004
• Computer Monitor: Spring 2004
• Computer Monitor: Fall 2003
• Computer Monitor: Spring 2003
• Computer Monitor: Fall 2002
• Computer Monitor: Winter 2001
• Computer Monitor: Fall 2001
• Computer Monitor: Fall 2000
• Computer Monitor: Spring 2000

Home / Newsletters / Computer Monitor / Fall 2005

Computer Monitor

Fall 2005

See the PDF version of this newsletter.

PACER Hosts Access to Recreation Expo

Access to Recreation Expo
Saturday, October 1, 2005
PACER Center | 8161 Normandale Blvd.
Bloomington | 10 AM to 2 PM

Families and professionals are invited to experience a showcase of local recreational opportunities and equipment for indoor and outdoor activities for people of all abilities and ages.

The event, October 1 at PACER, will include demonstrations and opportunities to try various recreational gear. Product displays will include adaptive outdoor clothing, accessible camping equipment, specialized games, and more.

You can meet and talk with recreational specialists and the Simon Technology Center staff. The Simon Technology Center Library will also be open for browsing or asking questions.

Participating organizations include:

• Vulpine . . . . . . . . . Adaptive clothing
• Blue Sky Designs. . . Accessible tents by Eureka
• MN Goldball . . . . . . Sports for blind
• Abilitiations . . . . . . Adaptive games/equipment
• Gillette Tech . . . . . .Therapuetic recreation

To register for the expo, call PACER Center at (952) 838-9000 or visit www.pacer.org.

STC Workshops and Events

Parents and professionals will find helpful information at these important workshops. All are presented at PACER Center (unless otherwise noted). Advance registration is required. To register for any of the following workshops, go online to www.pacer.org/workshops/, or call (952) 838-9000.

Free Workshops for Parents and Professionals

A Comparison of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices
Monday, September 19, 2005
6 to 9 p.m.

Beginning the Road to AT (Duluth)
Thursday, September 22, 2005
6 to 8:30 p.m.

Universal Design
Thursday, September 22, 2005
6:30 to 9 p.m.

Access to Recreation Expo
Saturday, October 1, 2005
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Strategies for Using Vision Technology
Thursday, October 6, 2005
6 to 9 p.m.

Easier Access to Digital Learning Materials (Brainerd)
Thursday, November 17, 2005
6 to 9 p.m.

Early Childhood and Assistive Technology (Grand Rapids)
Thursday, October 20, 2005
6 to 9 p.m.

A Comparison of Technology Tools for Writing (St. Cloud)
Monday, December 5, 2005
6 to 9 p.m.

Hands-On Training Series in the PACER Computer Lab

Hands-On—Intellitools Training
Saturday, September 24, 2005
9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |; $30

Hands-On—Read and Write Gold Training
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |; Free

Hands-On—Kurzweil Training
Saturday, October 29, 2005
9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |; $30

Hands-On Series—Speaking Dynamically Pro/Board Maker
Friday, November 4, 2005
9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |; $30

Free Workshops for Girls with Disabilities at PACER Center

Technology for Girls—Forensic Science
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
6 to 9 p.m.

Technology for Girls—Engineering
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
6 to 9 p.m.

Technology for Girls—Famous Women in Science
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
6 to 9 p.m.

Meet the Staff: Stephanie Rosso

Stephanie Rosso, an assistive technology specialist, joined the Simon Technology Center in November 2004. She has an information systems degree from the College of Saint Catherine. Stephanie works on the Accessible Information Technology in Schools project, conducts vision consultations, answers assistive technology questions, contributes articles to the Computer Monitor newsletter, and provides training on Web accessibility.

Stephanie's favorite aspect of her position is having the ability to assist children and families with finding and using assistive technology, as well as helping school districts promote an environment that is sensitive to these technology needs. She says "PACER is an inspiring place. It's great to be part of an organization where everyone is dedicated to the work they do."

Using Windows Features Can Open Doors for People with Disabilities

By Annette Cerreta, Assistive Technology Specialist, OTA, ATP

Sixty-one-year-old Barbara Vandergraft, a former computer analyst, had all but given up using the computer. In recent years, Parkin-son's disease had made it nearly impossible for her to manipulate the mouse and keyboard.

"I would get tired of trying to double click the mouse, and sometimes I couldn't move fast enough to do it. Also, my fingers would be too heavy on the keys at times, so I would have repetitive letters. It got so I was misspelling every single word, and I had to rewrite my e-mails about 10 times. I became very frustrated."

Barbara consulted an occupational therapist at the Twin Cities–area Struther's Parkin-son's Center regarding her difficulties using the computer. The therapist sug-gested that Barbara contact PACER's Simon Technology Center (STC) for an assistive technology consultation to learn about strategies and devices that could help her operate the computer more easily.

At Barbara's PACER consultation, an assistive technology specialist, showed Barbara how to activate Microsoft's Accessibility features in her Windows operating system software. The accessibility features make it easier for people with disabilities, such as Barbara, to use the computer.

The STC consultation showed Barbara the Microsoft Accessibility feature "BounceKeys," which adjusts the keyboard response rate. By slowing down the re-sponse rate, Barbara was able to eliminate repetitive letters, such as "ggggg" when she meant to type "g."

During the consultation, Barbara mentioned that she had difficulty seeing small print on the computer screen. The consultation demonstrated how Micro-soft Accessibility features designed for people with visual impairments could enable Barbara to enlarge the text size as well as desktop icons, menu but-tons, and the scroll bar. Barbara could also change the color contrast settings of her computer screen to improve her ability to see text on the screen.

In addition to taking advantage of the Microsoft Accessibility features, Barbara decided to use an easier-to-manipulate trackball, instead of a regular mouse.

After the consultation, Barbara went home and downloaded the online Microsoft Accessibility tutori-als from Microsoft's Accessibility Web site www.microsoft.com/enable. The on-line tutorials showed Barbara how to set up her home computer with the accessibility features she needed.

Barbara also pur-chased a trackball mouse for her comput-er. "I replaced my old mouse with a track-ball so I don't have to move the mouse around. You just roll the trackball with your fingers, and it's a lot easier."

Now that Barbara has made the necessary changes to her home computer, she has returned to writing e-mails to family and friends, balancing her checkbook online, and surfing the Net. She says she couldn't be happier.

"I would encourage other people in similar situations to find help from PACER so they don't flounder around," she said. She adds, "If I had known about the accessibility features built right into the Windows operating system, I would have made use of them years ago."

Hundreds of Exciting New Items Added to the Simon Technology Center Library at PACER

By Katrina Weibel, Assistive Technology Specialist

Hundreds of new programs have been added to the Simon Technology Center (STC) Library, including items for students with vision and autism spectrum disorder. They include adapted and universally designed toys, plus books and videos on assistive technology.

The STC Library is open to the public on Tuesdays from 12 noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Inexpensive STC Library memberships provide an opportunity for families to try many items at home.

Toys

The STC expanded its inventory of toys through a partnership with the Toy Industry Foundation and Alliance for Technology Access. The partnership has allowed the STC to add more than 50 new toys to the library. Some are adapted to be operated with a switch; others are "universally designed" to be accessible to more children.

Switches can activate the specially adapted toys, and children can bring giraffes, hippos, fish, and puppies to life. The library has dozens of switches available.

The library also offers a unique and friendly play area for children. It has universally designed toys, a puppet stage, and a Little Tykes Computer Station with a variety of children's programs preloaded.

Books and Video

The library has many excellent publications, videos, and DVDs to help families and professionals learn more about assistive technology. Books and videos can be an excellent media for resources and showing first-hand examples of the freedom that assistive technology can provide to someone with a disability.

A few of the new offerings in the library are:

• Computer Resources for People with Disabilities by the Alliance for Technology Access. This book offers support, information, and resources on how to make assistive technology available for people with disabilities. It offers real-life stories of people who are using technology successfully, a "Technology Toolbox" to help people determine which assistive technology may make them most successful, and more. It can also be purchased from PACER.
• Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology by the Family Center. This guide is a quick resource that walks readers through the possibilities of assistive technology, understanding assistive technology in public education, obtaining a formal assistive technology evaluation, assistive technology issues at school, and funding for assistive technology.
• Freedom Machines, a documentary by PBS in video format, illustrates the various ways assistive technology can change the lives for students and adults with disabilities.
• I Can Soar, by the National Center for Technology Innovation, is a video that takes viewers into the lives of four children with disabilities who use assistive technology. A video kit helps describe the process that goes into selecting assistive technology for a child, stimulates conversation about strategies for using assistive technology, and offers practical tips for implementation.

Vision Assistive Technology

Math tools for students who are blind or have low vision are important to helping students as they progress through school. New arrivals in the STC for just this purpose include low-vision rulers and a talking calculator that reads problems and answers entered by the student. Also available is the software program Math Flash by American Printing House for the Blind. Math Flash is for elementary students. It provides practice problems and math games using selfvoicing cues, which can be modified by the teacher.

The STC has also increased the number of educational games designed for individuals who are blind or have low vision. One new program, Termite Torpedo by American Printing House for the Blind, is especially for low-vision users. In the arcade-style game, players must save the city of Woodville from being eating by termites. Low-vision players are provided with high-contrast col-ors on the screen and can practice visual skills for locating, fixating, tracking, aligning, and follow-ing. The game also has full audio description available for blind players.

Another new game is Time Adventures by Independent Living Aids, Inc. The players' objective is to save humanity by resolving the conflict between the world's ordinary citizens and irrespon-sible corporations. By using the mouse or keyboard, graphics and clues are described to players who become immersed in the game.

In addition to programs and games, the STC also has a number of magnifiers available, including page magnifiers, computer screen magnifiers, and cursor magnifiers.

Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Students with autism or Asperger syndrome often need additional assistance in learning to read non-verbal cues. Several new programs are available to help these students become more socially successful. Gaining Face, by Team Asperger's, is designed to teach students various facial expressions and the accompany-ing moods. It also allows student to compare different expressions and take a proficiency quiz.

Another program, Communicating in Social Situations, by FRASER, is intended to help students with autism to gain a better under-standing of abstract situations and of how to handle their feelings. The program offers 15 short stories that describe situations and the social skills needed within each setting. The 15 stories in-clude: "Reading Faces," "Greeting People," "Using a Tissue," "Staying Calm," and more.

Students with autism often have difficulty in auditory process-ing and reading comprehension as well. Train Time, by LocuTour Multimedia, offers eight exer-cises beginning at the preschool level and going through the sixth grade. A train theme addresses skills in speech production, audi-tory comprehension, conversation stimulation and auditory/visual attention and memory. The CD also encourages students to prac-tice taking turns and spontaneous speech.

To view new library items and more, visit the A.T. Finder, the STC's online catalog, at www.pacer.org/stc/. Call (952) 838-9000 for more information about becoming a member of the STC Library.

Audio-Driven Computer Games Offer Hours of Fun and Recreation for Children with Visual Impairments

By Stephanie Rosso, Assistive Technology Specialist

Games are a fundamental aspect of childhood. Today's games present children with an enjoyable way to develop computer skills and confidence with technology. Children and youth now have multiple game platforms available to them, from computers and game consoles to portable devices. Games can be controlled through a mouse, keyboard, joystick, switch, or even a cell phone keypad, and they offer entertainment for children with and without disabilities.

While many of today's popular games rely heavily on graphics, there are a number of audio-driven games that are accessible to children who are blind or visually impaired. In addition to providing entertainment, audio games give children with visual impairments an opportunity to develop hand-ear coordination. The children can develop skills to recognize a type of sound and locate its direction and relative distance, as well as to learn how to interact physically with these auditory cues.

Accessible computer games include puzzles, trivia, cards, role-playing, simulation, or even action and adventure. Some games rely on a screen reader, whereas others are self-voicing. Self-voicing means that all necessary audio to play the game is built in, and no assistive technology is needed.

Some games are audio only, and some are both audio and visual. All are accessible to users with and without sight. Many are available at no cost, a few are subscription based, and others can be purchased through various retailers, though free demonstrations are often available. Samples of audiodriven games follow:

Arcade

Deekout is a basic, yet entertaining, game. The computer (sound) consistently moves around a playing field, and users use the keyboard arrow keys to try to avoid it. As the noise becomes louder, the user tries to determine the direction from which it comes and move away from it. Points are made for avoiding the sound. Download this free, audio-only game at www.bscgames.com/deek.asp. PC Only

Cards

All in Play is a subscription-based service that brings together users with and without sight from all over the world to play "Poker" and "Crazy Eights." The game atmosphere is reminiscent of the Old West, complete with saloon imagery and background noise. The game is entirely accessible by keyboard. Instructions are read during play, and players can communicate with one another through a chat feature. A text-to-speech engine is required for sound, and a free download is available for those who do not have the engine installed. A free 15-day trial is offered. Visit www.allinplay.com for more information. PC or Mac

Sci-Fi Adventure

Terraformers is an award winning 3D game for players with and without sight. It is entirely accessible through sound and keyboard but includes an attractive graphic interface for players who have sight, as well. Visuals can be turned off entirely for faster audio play. More information and a free demo can be obtained at www.terraformers.nu. PC Only

Online Mystery

Seuss Crane: Detective for Hire is a free, online interactive mystery game played entirely through the browser. Through streaming sound, players listen to the detective's conversations and thoughts and navigate through town to solve a murder mystery. When players believe they have enough evidence, they click "Accusation!" The town's police officer will then determine whether there is a valid case or send the player back to investigate further. For more information or to play, visit www.radio-play.com. PC or Mac

Music Production

Sonokids offers several online remixers (technology using digital audio signals to blend or create sounds) with access to pre-made sounds for making music. One remixer uses an ancient Austra-lian instrument called the "Didg-eridoo." Another features drums. The "DJ Remixer" provides a variety of beats and vocals to mix how one wants. When complete, to the arrangement can be sent to friends.

All three remixers are accessible by keyboard, although a screen reader may be necessary to read keyboard instructions. Play them for free online at www.sonokids.com/wwwsonokids/english/remixer.html. PC or Mac

Simulation

Drive is a driving simulation game that tests the maximum speed of a vehicle named "Shuttle." Players can use boosters to achieve advanced speeds. The game is entirely audio-based.

While immersed in the advanced sound effects of the race, the user must identify the sound of an approaching booster and press a button to pick it up at the precise moment it passes. To achieve top speeds, the boosters must be used wisely (several can be activated at one time). The game was devel-oped as a research project and is available as a free download at drive.soundsupport.net. PC Only

Interactive Fiction

Interactive fiction books allow users to go beyond reading a story to become the main character of an adventure. At certain points in the narrative, players may type commands that allow them to look around, enter various rooms, and solve puzzles to reach the end of the story.

To play an interactive fiction game, players need an interpreter, which can be downloaded at no cost. The interpreter allows the player to interact with the game file, much like using a browser to access a Web page. A special interpreter is available for Win-dows that makes it accessible to users with visual impairments by offering text-to-speech (the actual games are entirely text-based and have no sound). You can read more about these games or try a free demo at www.malinche.net.

Each story runs about $19.95 and provides many hours of game play. PC Only (for audio)

For a more comprehensive list of available audio-based games, visit www.audiogames.net/listgames.php. The site also offers Audyssey Magazine, a free resource dedicated to blind-accessible games.

For more information on vision tools, come to the PACER workshop "Strategies Using Vision Technology" on Thursday, October 6, 2005, from 6 to 9 p.m. at PACER Center. Additional workshops are listed on page 2.

Many of the games listed above, along with a variety of other audio games are available for checkout in the STC Library at PACER Center.

Online Learning May Open a World of Incredible Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

By Kristi Hansen, Assistive Technology Specialist

A traditional classroom is usually the best option for students with disabilities. Sometimes, however, a student cannot attend school regularly, and a solution must be found. It may be online also termed distance-learning.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) states that in order to remove a student from the regular educational environment, the district must demonstrate that educating the student in the regular environment with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily [34 CFR 104.34].

A comfortable learning environment is important to each student and online learning can often provide that. Online learning includes Web and video conferencing, virtual classrooms, online curriculum, or even chat rooms and instant messengers to discuss assignments with teachers.

Benefits of Online Learning

Learning through a computer may be an academic accommodation for students who need to be away from the classroom for a short period of time.

Online learning can prove advantageous in a variety of situations, such as serving as an interim option during extended hospital stays, supporting older students who have difficulty graduating through a conventional direction, operating as a substitute for alternative placement rulings, or acting as a supplement to home-schooling options.

Hopkins Online Academy, a partnership of Northern Star Online, mentions that involvement in an online class also provides the benefit of training to become a self-motivated and self-directed learner.

For example, Ben, 17, has been unable to attend school during the day from time to time due to health issues. He finally found a solution through a combination of online and evening programs. According to his mother Roberta, the flexibility for Ben to attend classes when his health is best is a big benefit.

Online learning allows curriculum to be personalized because the focus is on the individual student instead of on the classroom, notes Barbara Frey, principal of Connections Academy in Colorado, in the January 2005 issue of T.H.E. Journal. It is important for students with disabilities who need a distinct curriculum set for them.

Frey also mentions that in a virtual setting, the teacher focuses on supporting the learning coach (i.e., the parent or adult responsible for the daily instruction), which creates a strong collaboration among the entire learning team.

Drawbacks of Online Learning

While the computer is a great equalizer for persons who are medically fragile or unable to at-tend classes, this up-and-coming technology is not a magic bullet. Many of the costs associated with the high-end equipment can not be met by families or school dis-tricts. Obtaining a computer with the necessary requirements for the online learning tool or program can be impractical.

In addition, if an advanced tool (i.e., Web-conferencing) is used, additional accessories such as a Web camera and microphone are necessary. Complex technology also requires staff development for teachers and training for the family and student to learn the program.

There are also many regulations that must be followed to protect the rights of students within a virtual classroom. Privacy and accessibility issues accompany the requirements of IDEA.

Making the Decision

While families discover whether distance learning is right for them, it is important to stay focused on meeting the needs of the student. A few topics to reflect upon are:

• considering environments in which the child learns best
• reasons for not attending a traditional classroom setting
• the family's access to technology
• the student's ability to stay on task and regimented with the curriculum.

The most significant factor should be finding and meeting the federal and state education laws. These laws require districts to provide a free and appropriate public education designed to meet each student's unique needs, and be supported in the least restrictive environment.

Reference

Frey, B. (2005). A virtual school principal's to-do list. T H E Journal, 32(6), 34-34.

Tell Us What You Think!

Visit www.pacer.org/stc/ to fill out an online survey.

We want the newsletter to be as useful as possible for you, our reader. Please fill out the survey so we can tailor this publication to your needs.

STC Tech Tips: Childproofing Your Computer

With technology becoming easier to use, it's likely that children will spend an increasing amount of time at the family computer. While every parent likes to be able to supervise their child's computer use, overseeing a child's every moment of the day is not possible. Nonetheless, there are ways for parents to protect data and files when their children are on the computer.

If you are not around to supervise, your children may be tempted to push the boundaries that you have set. If you would like more guaranteed control over your child's computer use, there are 'kid-proofing' options available on both Mac OS X and Windows XP operation systems.

Both Mac OS X and Windows XP allow you to create personal user accounts that can be modified according to your preferences. By setting up a user account for your child, you can set desktop preferences accordingly, and limit your child's access to certain files and applications.

When setting up a Mac OS X or Windows XP computer system, one person, usually the owner, is designated as the administrator. The administrator can set up individual accounts for each person who uses the computer. Once a new user account has been established, the administrator may then set up a password for the account and restrict access to specific programs and applications.

It is should be noted that the Mac OS X operating system offers more options for limiting access to certain files and applications than Windows XP. When setting up a new user account on Mac OS X there are three account type options: "No Limits", "Some Limits," and "Simple Finder. "

"No Limits" allows access to all files and applications. "Some Limits" allows the administrator to specify the applications and settings to which the new user is allowed access. "Simple Finder" creates an extremely simplified desktop with only one window, no icons, and little in the dock or in the menus. When setting up the user account on Windows XP, there are two account options: "Computer Administrator" or "Limited." "Computer Administrators" can change all computer settings, install software, create new accounts, and add or remove programs. "Limited" users can only save documents and modify the passwords for their own user accounts.

Mac OS X

To obtain access to user accounts on a Mac OS X system follow these steps (Note: Steps may differ slightly according to your version of Mac OS X.:

1. Click on the light-switch icon on the Dock. The "System Preferences" window opens.
2. Click "Accounts."
3. Click the "+" (add user) button. Into the "Name" box, type the new user's name. If you like, make up a password.
4. Once you have created a new user profile, select the "Limitations" tab in the "Accounts" dialog box. This menu allows the administrator to limit access to certain applications and programs. By choosing the "Some Limits" option you will be able to choose precisely which programs your child is allowed to use.

Windows XP

To set up a new user account in Windows XP, follow these steps:

1. Click "Start", then click "Control Panel."
2. Click "User Accounts."
3. Under "Pick a Task", click "Create a New Account."
4. On the "Name the New Account Page", type a name for the new account, and then click "Next."
5. On the "Pick an Account Type" page, click the type of account you want to assign, and then click "Create Account."

Simon Technology Center Q&A

Q: I am a new pre-school teacher with several children with disabilities in my classroom. I want to use technology and have a computer, but I am a loss where to start. Can you give me any recommendations?

A PACER's Project KITE (Kids Included through Technology are Enriched) has shown that inclusion and learning can be improved for young children with disabilities by using technology in early childhood classrooms. The following software picks are based on feedback from hundreds of parents and professionals who have participated in Project KITE.

Boardmaker™
Age Level: All ages
By: Mayer-Johnson, Inc.
Web site: www.mayer-johnson.com

Boardmaker™ has more than 3,000 picture communication symbols and pre-made grids for making communication boards, augmentative communication overlays, etc. The user can choose pictures that are color, black and white or their own imported digital photos. In Boardmaker™ users can create custom worksheets, schedules, communication boards and more. Pictures in Boardmaker™ come translated into 24 languages for PCs and 10 for Macs. $299.00

Speaking Dynamically™ Pro
Age Level: All ages
By: Mayer-Johnson, Inc.
Web site: www.mayer-johnson.com

Speaking Dynamically™ Pro (SD Pro) is screen communication software that allows people to use the computer as a speech-output device. SD Pro can create interactive educational activities. With SD Pro, the user can provide opportunities for communication, encourage and promote writing, make interactive books adapted for each student and curriculum, and train individuals on using symbols, switches, and dynamic displays. It has text-to-speech capabilities, recorded (digitized) speech, the ability to link boards and print messages, special text buttons for text users to set up their own conversations and more. $299.00

To purchase Boardmaker™ and Speaking Dynamically™ Pro together $589.00

BuildAbility®
Age Level: 3 years and up
By: Don Johnston Inc.
Web site: www.donjohnston.com

This program allows users to create sequential multimedia presentations including text, graphics, animation, sound, and video. To effectively create presentations that progress logically and visually, users need to master the basic workings of the program. Learning how to use the draw, text, speech, etc. tools is essential in creating presentations that use BuildAbility to its fullest potential. In addition, an understanding of how BuildAbility presentations are designed is necessary to successfully convey desired messages. Users must learn to think in a linear pattern and organize their messages/stories so that they can be created with as little interference from the program as possible. $99.00

Baby WOW 3
Age Level: 9 months to 5 years
By: BowWow House
Web site: www.babywow.com

Baby WOW 3 speaks in eight languages including English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Japanese, and Chinese. Young children respond with enthusiasm and delight to the colorful pictures and enjoyable activities. All the child has to do is push any key to interact. There are 100s of photographs, thousands of words and games, such as peek-a-boo, opposites, counting, first words, cause and effect, names of things, basic shapes, and basic colors. Users can add their own pictures. $24.95

Users can also do very specific searches for software and resources with the Simon Technology Center's new A.T. Finder. For example, if someone has a project on transportation, he or she can do a search on trucks and cars to find age-appropriate software on the topic in the Simon Technology Library. Using the A.T. Finder is free, but a Library membership is needed to borrow software.

For more information about Project KITE or the A.T. Finder visit the Web site at www.pacer.org or call 952-838-9000.

Tots-n-Tech: AT Resources for Infants and Toddlers

The Simon Technology Center was chosen as one of 30 communities across the country to participate in a five month best practice implementation. The Tots-n-Tech Best Practices Field Test is one in a series of sub-studies conducted by the National Research Institute.

Its purpose is to study the process and impact of implementation of 'best practices" in assistive technology (AT) with infants and toddlers at the community level. To read more about the Tots'n Tech Research Institute (TnT) visit online at www.asu.edu/clas/tnt/.

As part of our commitment and acceptance to the Tots-n-Tech Best Practices Field Testing Study, the Simon Technology Center's (STC) staff has designed a new assistive technology resource Web page.

This Web page contains local and national assistive technology resources for use with very young children with disabilities. Parents and professionals can locate current resources just by visiting the site at www.pacer.org/stc/kite/totsnTech.asp.