Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

AFB is a nonprofit organization founded in 1921, recognized as Helen Keller's cause in the United States. Besides offering a number of educational pamphlets, videos, and other information, this site has two very interesting sections: a mentor database and the Helen Keller archives. The Careers & Technology Information Bank (CTIB) is a network of blind people from all 50 states and Canada who use assistive technology at home, at work, or at school, and are able and willing to serve as mentors to others. Helen Keller's writings are not all available online, but you can read some of them, and there are photographs available.

tag(s): vision (42)

National Geographic publishes this ongoing collection of short documentary pieces, each of which has both text and audio narration in high quality stereo sound, with lots of natural effects. For students with special needs, who have trouble either reading or attending, these short sound clips provide a well-constructed exposure to topics ranging from science to cultures and celebrations. Watch for new segments each week, along with a monthly feature presentation.

tag(s): adhd (27), learning disability (21), Special Needs (53)

NICHCY is an information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for parents and teachers. If you're not sure what you need and want to talk to a real person, they have a hotline you can call to talk to an "information specialist." They have a wide variety of publications on disabilities, most of which you can print right off the Internet. There is also an organization database where you can search for a specific organization dealing with any type of disability. All their materials are also available in Spanish.

tag(s): disabilities (32)

This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness and understanding of children and adults with disabilities. It has a good basic section on learning disabilities, with a definition of LD, a list of behavioral warning signs, evaluations for LD, legal rights for children with LD, and more.

tag(s): learning disability (21)

An information-loaded site for parents, teachers, and children dealing with learning disabilities. It has a special section just for teachers with constantly updated material, as well as an online ordering service where you can read about and order books and videos. The "LD in Depth" section is especially helpful: you can find the latest news and articles by the experts on an array of topics, including Early Identification, Reading, Social Skills, Transition, Gifted/LD, and more. Click on "for Teachers" in this section to find teaching strategies, or visit the bulletin boards to exchange ideas with other teachers. Kidzone affords children with Learning Disabilities a place to "publish" their work. This is a "must see" site!

tag(s): learning disability (21)

Located in Vermont, this college is the only fully accredited college in the U.S. designed for students with dyslexia, attention-deficit disorder, or specific learning disabilities. The teacher-to-student ratio is one to three, with an average of seven students per class.

tag(s): college (45), learning disability (21)

Extensive, reviewed information on hundreds of topics. ERIC should be a staple of any resource collection on exceptional children.

tag(s): resources (83)

While the term has fallen from favor in some areas, this site still has a very useful collection of resources for teachers, parents, and adults on learning disabilities. Worth a look if you're trying to help a student with learning disabilities.

tag(s): dyslexia (11), learning disability (21)

This is a combination information and advocacy site for dyslexia and dyslexics. There is ample information, presented in a supportive, thorough context.

tag(s): dyslexia (11), learning disability (21)

This site has good basic information on dyslexia and literacy issues. It has information for teachers and parents regarding current research recommendations and teacher training, and also offers some articles and pamphlet excerpts by the founder of The Greenwood School, a boarding prep school for boys with dyslexia.

tag(s): dyslexia (11), learning disability (21)

Expand older Special Education students' limited knowledge of environmental concepts using literature, and culminate the unit with their own student-made books about the environment.

tag(s): environment (252), learning disability (21), Special Needs (53)

While bipolar disorders (also known as manic-depression) are typically managed by health care professionals, students with these disorders may require a variety of special attention and modifications. This site - written primarily for parents - explains bipolar disorders and offers strategies to help young people afflicted with these disorders.'?

tag(s): polar (10), psychology (65)

This American Psychological Association page is written to help teenagers know how to identify signs of potential violence. More importantly, the site offers teens ideas on what they should do if and when they see these symptoms in other young people.

tag(s): psychology (65)

The American Psychological Association offers this page listing behaviors that may be warning signs of violent behavior in children. This page breaks symptoms out by age group, noting behaviors which are indicative in each age group.

tag(s): psychology (65)

This is the site to visit if you have more specific questions on inclusion. The most useful tool is the searchable database, where you can type in a search word or check off one of the many categories to find information in the form of magazine articles, pamphlets, videos, and more. A short summary describes each resource, so you can see if it's really what you're looking for.

tag(s): behavior (43)

A simply-designed site for those who know very little about inclusion. It covers the basic philosophy behind inclusion and the legal requirements for inclusion, plus everything from teacher and administrative strategies to student preparation to financial considerations. There is also a helpful list of other resources which includes books, organizations, and links to sites that carry videos and other helpful materials. A good site to start with if you're not sure where to begin.

tag(s): learning disability (21)

Located in Washington, DC, this is the world's only university for deaf undergraduate students. Graduate degree programs and continuing education programs are also available. Hearing students are also welcome, and financial aid and scholarships are available.

tag(s): air (100)

NTID is the world's first and largest technological college for deaf students, marking the first effort to educate large numbers of deaf students within a college campus originally designed for hearing students. Besides the typical college curriculum, NTID also has programs that prepare students to work in fields related to deaf people. NTID is located in Rochester, NY.

tag(s): air (100)

DB-LINK is a federally-funded information service that offers information on people under age 21 who are deaf-blind. They have many brochures concerning how to interact and communicate with these children, which are available to read online. The site also features two databases: one with bibliographical information on deaf-blindness and one with federal, state and local resources. Both educators and parents will find this information helpful.

tag(s): communication (130), sign language (11), Special Needs (53)

AVI is a nonprofit international membership organization that promotes listening and speaking as a way of life for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The auditory-verbal approach helps these children learn in regular classrooms and living environments and to become independent, participating citizens in mainstream society. They offer a newsletter, information on conferences and events, and a chat room. This site is more for parents interested in this approach for their child.

tag(s): air (100)