Educator Resources
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Postsecondary Educators
American Council on Education (ACE) provides thorough information for both educators and anyone interested in pursuing a higher education. Their website features information about higher education opportunities in general, distance learning, and more. Their website also features a list of ACE programs, frequently asked questions on various topics, and a directory of related links. Visit their website for this and more excellent information.
Association on Higher Education and Disability is an international, multicultural organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. The association offers its members training programs, workshops, publications, and conferences designed to address the need and concern for upgrading the quality of services and support available to persons with disabilities in higher education. Their website also offers a wide variety of resources and publications. For more information, call (617) 287-3880 (Voice), (617) 287-3882 (TTY) or e-mail AHEAD@umb.edu.
Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability is a project of the University of Connecticut. The center's mission is to educate and support pre-professionals and professionals in acquiring knowledge and skills and to develop state-of-the-art practices in educational disability services, including the use of Universal Design for Instruction. Activities include research, training, and the development of model programs and services. For more information, call (860) 486-5799.
Faculty Room is an on-line resource made available by the University of Washington DO-IT program. The Faculty Room is a space for faculty and administrators at postsecondary institutions to learn about how to create classroom environments and activities that maximize the learning of all students, including those with disabilities. This area includes information on accommodation strategies, rights and responsibilities, faculty, staff and administration resources (relating to disability) and faculty presentations.
Fast Facts for Faculty are information briefs designed to help college and university instructors improve the climate and quality of education for students with disabilities. This series was created by The Ohio State University.
Primary/Secondary Educators
[Indiana] Center on Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL) focuses on strategies which enhance opportunities for every student to participate fully in all aspects of the school day including the smooth transition to adult life. The CELL staff provides a variety of supports, based on the designated needs of the school community, in the areas of school leadership, curriculum and instruction, student directed learning, positive behavioral supports, transition, family participation and community ownership. CELL achieves this mission via scheduled workshops and training sessions as well as via their helpful training publications. For more information, call (812) 855-6508.
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) is a nonprofit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning. CAST offers numerous free online tools that can assist educators develop universally accessible curriculums and classroom practices.Cyberbullying Toolkit offers tools and tips to help educators properly address and respond to cyberbullying. A separate toolkit is available for elementary, middle and high school teachers.
Guideposts for Success, developed by the Cape Youth, outlines five (5) guideposts and the coordinated activities within each, that are needed for youth with disabilities to successfully transition to adult life. The guideposts include, School-Based Preparatory Experiences, Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning Experiences, Youth Development & Leadership, Connecting Activities, and Family Involvement & Supports. Educators are encouraged to share these ideas with
High School/High Tech Program Guide provides a comprehensive overview of this transition program that promotes careers in science, technology, engineering and math for youth with disabilities. Educators and school administrators can use this guide to develop curriculum and activities that will support the objectives of this program.
National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center provides information and technical assistance to states to support and improve transition planning, services, and outcomes for youth with disabilities. This website is packed full of resources, including videos, lesson plans, toolkits, sample planning tools and more, that will enable school administrators and educators to improve their transition processes and outcomes.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities: Fact Sheets defines the disability, describes its characteristics, offers tips for parents and teachers, and connects you with related information and organizations with special expertise in that disability.
National Inclusion Project spearheads initiatives and awards grants to ensure inclusive communities. Via their Together We Make a Difference initiative, they provide a curriculum that guides educators and youth program staff to create service learning projects that engage elementary-age learners. The curriculum's research-based activities guide instructors in helping children with and without disabilities become partners in planning and carrying out service learning projects, while teaching social and life skills to children of all abilities, meeting education standards in a variety of academic areas, and challenging stereotypes about young people with disabilities.
New Horizons for Learning is a free, public service, volunteer network of educators that has served as a resource for educational change. They offer an informative website covering a wide variety of topics including learning environments, special needs inclusion, technology and learning, adult education and much more. For more information, visit this website or e-mail building@newhorizons.org.
NOVA: School of the Future is a two-hour documentary produced by NOVA that aired September 14, 2016 on the Wisconsin Media Lab, PBS Learning Media website. The film examines challenges that many American students face in K–12 schooling and follows educators, neuroscientists, and psychologists, who are working to reimagine a more equitable future for education in the United States. The Educator guide outlines how the research f informs strategies and interventions that are helping to improve classroom pedagogy and school environments today. These approaches include frequent, low-stakes testing; mindfulness training; developing “grit” to boost academic performance; and engaging students through project-based learning. Educators and parents should check out the learning methods employed in these models.
Best Practices to Support Neurodiversity in the Workplace_June2024.pdf To help improve post- school outcomes for young adults with autism
Soft Skills to Pay the Bills — Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success is a curriculum developed by the US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy, that focuses on "soft" or workforce readiness skills for youth ages 14 to 21. The basic structure of the program is comprised of modular, hands-on, engaging activities that focus on six key skill areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem solving and critical thinking, and professionalism.
Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew was written by a mother of a child with Autism. The article was written from the child's perspective and offers significant insight into the issues that could inhibit a student's learning.
Transcen, Inc. is an organization primarily dedicated to assisting transition professionals. Their website features Self Paced Modules to help professionals, families and youth better understand such opportunities as work-based experiences, youth empowerment, health and social services, and family supports.
Transition Action Guide For Post-School Planning, provides outlines of expectations for and of the student, parent, teacher, and other transition professionals. The guide also provides a list of successful practices, that if followed by all invested parties, ensures a successful transition to adult life. While written with Wisconsin resources and programs in mind, much of the guide can be adapted to consider your local resources and programs.
Transition of Students With Disabilities To Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators, written by the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, provides information to educators that will help them more effectively advise their students with disabilities on what to expect in postsecondary education? More specifically, the guide addresses the admissions process, disability documentation, and keys to success, such as attitude, self-advocacy and preparation.
Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High Schools identifies 11 elements of current writing instruction found to be effective for helping adolescent students learn to write well and to use writing as a tool for learning. Each strategy includes a sample that will help guide teachers in implementing the strategy.
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