What's Inside . . . Volume 13, No. 4, Fall 2005

DATI Receives Federal and State Endorsements
The past year had its share of anxious moments as we awaited the reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. To the relief of all, the AT Act was signed by the President last November. This new law strives to bring consistency to State AT Programs across the country by requiring all of them to offer four core services: equipment demonstration, equipment loan, alternative financing, and equipment exchange/ recycling.

ATRCs Stock New Crick Software
Crick Software promotes the inclusion of children of all abilities by creating flexible products that teachers can tailor to the needs of individual students. Most products have the option of switch access for users with a disability who are unable to use a mouse or keyboard. Many of Crick Software’s educational computer programs have recently been added to the Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) inventories in each county.

The AT Bargain Basement
Hello, true believers, and welcome to the newest installment of the AT Bargain Basement. If you are a regular to the Basement, welcome back. If this is your first time, what took you so long?! All joking aside, this column is where I discuss different pieces of inexpensive assistive technology, or AT, that I have found for under $100. Previously, I only listed items you could get locally, but I just can’t pass up all of the bargains I find online. So, that being said, let’s get to the bargains!

Universal Design for Learning Changes Curriculum
Today’s educators must face the challenge of instructing identical curriculum to all students with the expectation that the students all meet the same standards of the high stakes tests. Understanding what our charge is, we face the problem that the classroom is more diverse than ever before. This diversity takes many forms, including academic, cultural, emotional, and physical. Knowing who the children are and how their backgrounds affect their learning is just one piece of the puzzle in helping students succeed.

Taking the Annual DSTP with Accommodations
In addition to the natural butterflies students face when they head back to school each fall, the annual Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) creates anxiety. The DSTP is daunting for many students, either because of the content or the angst provoked by taking a test that measures student ability against state and national standards.

LIFE and Inclusion Conference Dates Announced
Several upcoming events for Winter and Spring 2006 have been announced. For more information about these and other events in the Delaware area, please visit www.dati.org/events/

Annual Accessible Web Design Contest Begins
The Mid-Atlantic Consortium on Accessible Information Technology in Education has announced its 2005-2006 Accessible Web Design Contest.

The New Castle County ATRC has moved!