AT for Preschool

Free Resources Links

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
CAST is a non-profit organization supported by federal funds to research technology to improve the lives of children with disabilities. This site provides information on universal design and links in the areas of organizations, shareware, articles, vendors, publications, and web authoring information concerning children with special needs, preschool through high school. The site includes text books on Universal Design and Learning and products such as book builders for ages 3-10 and lesson plan development. Users must purchase access to the site for the interactive resources section. The books are available for purchase from publishers. The Web site is designed for teachers and professionals in special education that have a basic knowledge of computer use in the classroom. “CAST's research areas include literacy, online learning, assessment, textbook design, accessibility, classroom practice, and education policy.”
The Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Technology Integrated Instructional System
The Web site contains a list of resources focused on early childhood assistive technology. The center also provides online coursework on assistive technology.
IATP Online: Illinois Assistive Technology Project
This site includes AT and disability awareness information, articles, services, resources, links and upcoming events from Illinois' Assistive Technology Project. There is a section under Tech Talk on early intervention that hosts articles and recommendations for adapted toys and games. The focus is on increasing independence through the use of AT in the state of Illinois.
Internet Public Library
This site was developed by the University of Michigan. In addition to an encyclopedia of Web site references for children, it hosts a section on story hour where various children’s books can be easily read online using arrow keys. It also has a games and activities section with a subsection for preschoolers which contains a list of preschool-related Web links. The site might be useful to teachers wanting to find story books online and/or additional sites focused on preschoolers. Because it is a site for all children of varying ages, the user would need to be comfortable following links and sublinks to get information on preschoolers.
Kids Included through Technology are Enriched (KITE)
KITE is a program out of the PACER Center to teach parents and teachers to more effectively include young children with disabilities in their homes and classrooms in culturally sensitive ways through the use of assistive technology.
National Lekotek Center
The Lekotek Organization is a national toy lending and resource program for families of children with special needs and provides links to 35 Lekotek Centers for families nationwide. The Lekotek Center Web site also provides links to the AblePlay Toy Rating Guide, an independent review and rating of the characteristics of toys for children with special needs. In addition, an online version of the Toys “R” Us Differently Abled Guide is available on this Web site.
Preschool Zone
The site posts preschool special education ideas and links; Boardmaker and IntelliTools files to download. According to the description on their Web site, “The Preschool Zone is a resource of teaching ideas and links relevant to Early Childhood Special Education. Most of the ideas and resources, including many files available for download, have been contributed by PEP staff.”
Quality Indicators for AT (QIAT)
QIAT is a consortium of universities and school districts with links to other information and materials on AT including quality assurance issues.

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