LD OnLine

Assistive Technology Laws

Laptops, calculators, speech recognition software, and other assistive technology tools can be invaluable for students with disabilities. Did you know that federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, govern a child's right to AT?

The Family Center on Technology and Disability offers summaries of the laws that have an impact on AT and special education services.

Find out more about AT on our Technology page.

What's New

On the Go: What Consumer Products Can Do For You (If You Know Where to Look!)

The experts at NCTI explain how everyday electronics such as Smartphones and MP3 players can become assistive technology tools for students with special needs.

Legal Briefs with Matt Cohen

Can a high school require that a student with LD declare the disability on college applications?

Special education lawyer Matt Cohen discusses students' rights when it comes to disclosures.

Recommended Book

The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal
Jonathan Mooney was a short bus rider — a derogatory term used for kids in special education — who eventually graduated from Brown University with honors. This is the story of how he bought an old short bus and set out on a journey to find other people who were also not normal.

LD News

March 21, 2010

Opinion: Milestone for Baltimore Schools
Baltimore Sun

Duncan Vows Tougher Civil Rights Action
Education Week

Opinion: N.J. Students Deserve Full Education Funding
Star-Ledger (NJ)

see all news >>

More Highlights

Ask Dr. Silver

How can I get a 4-year-old who can only say three words tested?

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Larry Silver has the details on the Child Find program, which falls under federal law.

ING Unsung Heroes Award

ING will award 100 $2,000 grants and three additional grants up to $25,000 to K-12 educators who use innovative teaching techniques. The deadline for application is April 30.