Family Center on Technology and Disability

Submitted by Ana Maria Gutierrez, Family Center on Technology

Assistive and instructional technologies allow children with disabilities to participate fully, both academically and socially, in the world around them. The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) is a national resource center funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide current, accurate, and relevant technology information to organizations that serve children with disabilities and their families.

FCTD resources are suitable for both the novice and the experienced professional. They span the full range of assistive technology (AT) topics, including assessment, evaluation, the IEP process, funding, universal design, inclusion, and more. The FCTD website, www.fctd.info is fully accessible and provides many resources, including:

Searchable Assistive Technology Resource Database

Assistive technology specialists review articles, websites, guides, videos, and other technology-related materials for inclusion in the FCTD's resource database. Teachers, disability professionals, and families can search the database by topic and disability. Each entry provides a description of the resource, publication information, and an easy link to the material.

Searchable Organization Database

The Family Center maintains a database of more than 3,000 disability-, education-, and technology-related organizations. Each listing contains a description of the organization's mission, range of activities, and contact information.

Archive of Monthly Newsletters

FCTD newsletters explore assistive and instructional technology topics in depth. Each monthly issue of its News & Notes includes a feature article, highlighted resources, and profiles of member organizations.

FCTD Online Discussion Conference Series

FCTD-hosted online discussions are moderated by nationally recognized subject-matter experts. The annual Assistive Technology Institute enables participants to earn CEU credits. Information-rich transcripts of all discussions can be found on the web site.

Fact Sheets, PowerPoints®, and Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology

The FCTD's 2-3 page fact sheets are succinct resources that can be distributed easily to families and professionals. They include: AT 101 (an introduction), Assistive Technology and the IEP, and Assistive Technology Laws. FCTD also produces an AT Glossary filled with important terms for families and service providers. The Family Information Guide includes an introduction to assistive technology; a discussion of AT in schools, including the IEP process, due process and relevant laws; a section on AT funding; an illustrated glossary; and annotated resources.

AT Success Stories

Inspiring stories about students with a range of disabilities who have experienced success with the use of AT help others see the world of possibilities.

En Español

FCTD resources translated into Spanish include the Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology, all of the AT fact sheets, and success stories.

To join the FCTD listserv and receive our monthly newsletter please visit www.fctd.info/members/signupindividual.php
To see if your organization is listed in our network database visit www.fctd.info/members/search.php
To see AT Resource Reviews visit www.fctd.info/resources/search.php