Available Resources
Educators and families want to support learners with disabilities throughout the school closure.
Alt+Shift is here to provide technical assistance and resources for families and educators related to:
Alt+Shift will continue to add resources as they are discovered.
If you have any questions or require additional support, do not hesitate to request technical assistance.
Accessibility of Digital Materials
The Challenge: Digitally created materials are inaccessible. For example, the learner cannot see, hear, or interact with them.
Learn How to Create Accessible Digital Materials |
Resource |
Accessible Materials Made Right
Free online courses to learn how you can make your educational materials accessible to learners and families who rely on assistive technology for access.
|
Accessible Materials Made Right
|
Designing for Accessibility with POUR
A great resource to learn basic concepts of accessible content creation written in layman's terms. If you just started learning about accessibility in document and presentation creation, this is a great place to start.
|
Designing for Accessibility with POUR
|
Accessible Educational Materials (AEM’s) Best Practices for Educators & Instructors
Find helpful information to get you thinking about how you can make online courses and social media posts more accessible.
|
Best Practices for Educators & Instructors
|
Colour Contrast Analyser
A free program that can be used in MacOS or Windows to determine if there is adequate color contrast between the text and background when creating materials for your learners.
|
Colour Contrast Analyser
|
Streamer
A captioning, translation, and note taking service that can work with all online livestream platforms (eg. Zoom). Streamer is currently free to all new users for one month and about $10/month after that.
|
Streamer
|
Make Sure the Online Services You Use Are Accessible |
Resource |
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)
Many online platforms and resources will have published a VPAT. You can often find a simplified statement of accessibility features as well. These are helpful when determining how accessible different resources are. To find these, do an online search for the name of the resource and “VPAT”. Some examples are:
|
Understanding the VPAT
|
Explore
Assistive Technology (AT)
The Challenge: Lack of tools needed to access information, participate in activities, and complete tasks.
Learn How to Provide Assistive Technology |
Resource |
Guidance for Schools Regarding Learner Access to AT During School Closure
This memo provides guidance and direction regarding learner access to assistive technology in the home he/she utilizes in the school setting.
|
Guidance for Schools Requesting AT During School Closure
|
Demystifying Assistive Technology (AT)
Explore the basics of assistive technology in 3 short videos. Within this page, learn more about what qualifies as AT, debunk common myths about assistive technology, and learn how your learner(s) could benefit from AT.
|
AT Journey: Demystifying AT
|
Connect with AT Professionals |
Resource |
Michigan AT Contacts
Would you like to connect with someone locally? Use this page to find a list of Michigan’s regional Assistive Technology leaders and their contact information.
|
AT Contacts List
|
Assistive Technology Listserv
Join the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) Listserv to connect with other educators looking to support their learners requiring AT. Ask your own questions, respond to others, or search the archive for previous topics.
|
Join QIAT Listserv
QIAT Archives
|
Connect with AT Professionals, AT/AAC Users, and Families of AT/AAC Users
#ATchat is a Twitter hashtag and weekly scheduled chat revolving around trending AT topics. The moderators of this chat created a website to address how to support AT during distance learning. Archived Twitter chats and town hall recordings can also be found here.
|
#ATchat website
|
Examples of Tools and Supports |
Resource |
Built-in Accessibility Features
Devices, such as phones, tablets, and computers, have built-in accessibility features that can enhance the learning of learners. Examples of features include: screen readers, display modifications (zoom, font size), and accessing apps using your voice.
|
iOS Accessibility Features
Android Accessibility Features
MacOS Accessibility Features
Windows Accessibility Features
|
Remove Ads and Distractions on Webpages
Some built-in features and Chrome extensions, such as Mercury Reader, Reader View, and Reading View, remove excessive clutter, which can make web pages easier to read.
|
Mercury Reader (Chrome Extension)
Reader View (Firefox feature)
Reading View (Microsoft Edge feature)
|
Modify PDFs with Kami
This free chrome extension allows the user to modify PDFs by:
- adding text
- inserting images, shapes, or signatures
- collaborate and work with others in real time
|
Kami (Chrome Extension)
|
Announcify
This free chrome extension reads text aloud from any website without needing to highlight or select it. Announcify blurs the text in the paragraph that is not currently being read aloud.
|
Announcify (Chrome Extension)
|
Snap & Read
Snap&Read levels vocabulary and text complexity, reads text aloud, removes visual distractions from text, allows for cover overlays, and translates text.
|
Snap&Read (Chrome Extension)
|
Co:Writer Universal
Co:Writer offers word prediction, topic specific vocabulary, translation, and speech to text or speech recognition.
|
Co:Writer Universal (Chrome Extension)
|
Read & Write
This Chrome extension offers speech to text, word prediction, dictionary, and a fact finder to search for additional information.
|
Read & Write (Chrome Extension)
|
Clicker 8/DocsPlus
This word processing software provides writing features such as word prediction, speech feedback, and graphic organizers. Clicker is designed for elementary learners, while DocsPlus is suited for middle and high school learners. Interested families and educators can fill out a form to access this program for free while schools are closed due to COVID-19.
|
Clicker
DocsPlus
|
Dolphin SuperNova
SuperNova is offering a free three-month subscription for learners learning at home. SuperNova supports learners with visual impairments by offering a screen magnifier and a screen reader as well as support for Braille displays.
|
Dolphin SuperNova 3-month Free Subscription
|
Explore
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
The Challenge: No means, or inadequate means, of learner communication.
Learn How to Provide AAC and Support Language Development |
Resource |
AAC TeleTips by PRC-Saltillo
PRC-Saltillo's AAC TeleTips Resource offers suggestions and ideas for AAC teletherapy and evaluations. In addition, you'll find shareable family and caregiver resources.
|
PRC-Saltillo's AAC TeleTips Resource
|
Ms. Marlowe's Music
Ms. Marlowe combines music and AAC to create fun, engaging videos for all learners. Check out her Youtube Channel for a variety of songs that highlight core vocabulary and more!
|
Ms. Marlowe's Youtube Channel
|
American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Telepractice Checklist for School-Based Professionals
This checklist is designed to assist school-based audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists as they prepare to provide services through telepractice.
|
ASHA Telepractice Checklist for School-Based Professionals
|
Disinfecting AAC
During this pandemic, we must keep our AAC users safe by regularly disinfecting and cleaning devices. For additional ideas on how to minimize AAC users' exposure to germs, check out AssistiveWare in the Core Word Classroom.
|
Guidance from Apple
Guidance from Tobii Dynavox
Guidance from PRC-Saltillo
|
Universal Core Vocabulary
Universal Core vocabulary represents a subset of the words we use most frequently and in various ways. Focusing on these words with beginner communicators or learners with complex communication needs can enhance learner communication in all environments. Get started communicating today by printing a Universal Core vocabulary board and start modeling. To learn more about Universal Core vocabulary and how to use it, check out the link.
|
Universal Core Vocabulary Alt+Shift Quick Win
|
Supporting Communication for Learners who use AAC
The Project-Core website has short, easy to implement modules on a variety of topics including how to model the use of communication systems, how to teach communication during daily routines, and teaching communication during academic instruction.
|
Project-Core Homepage
|
Emergent Literacy for Students with Complex Communication Needs and Significant Disabilities
Emergent literacy learners are those who may not yet know most of the letters most of the time, participate/interact during book reading, have a communication system in place, or understand that writing involves letters and words. Project-Core modules are also available on emergent literacy practices including Shared Reading, Predictable Chart Writing, Alphabet and Phonological Awareness, Independent Reading and Independent Writing.
|
Project-Core
|
Conventional Literacy for Students with Complex Communication Needs and Significant Disabilities
Conventional literacy learners are those who can communicate meaningfully with others, identify most of the letters of the alphabet, and understand that print carries meaning. The Dynamic Learning Maps Professional Development (DLMPD) website offers modules on how to teach text comprehension through Anchor-Read-Apply, writing with alternative pencils, as well as a variety of other topics.
|
DLMPD Learning Modules Homepage
|
Tar Heel Reader
Tar Heel Reader offers a collection of free, easy-to-read, accessible books on a variety of topics. Books can be printed, read or listened to online.
|
Tar Heel Reader
|
Tar Heel Shared Reader
Tar Heel Shared Reader combines Tar Heel Reader books with a communication board that supports adults in modeling comments while engaging learners with significant disabilities during shared reading.
|
Tar Heel Shared Reader
|
Aided Language Input (Modeling)
Modeling (i.e. pointing to one or more symbols while speaking) teaches learners how to use their AAC. Everyone can model AAC throughout the day. The first video illustrates how to engage in modeling in all environments. The second video describes the S’MoRRES mnemonic with steps on how to model to your learner. S’MoRRES stands for Slow down, Model, Respect and reflect, Repeat, Expand, and Stop.
|
Aided Language Stimulation (YouTube)
S’MoRRES (YouTube)
|
Build Communication Partner Skills
Everyone in an AAC user's life is a communication partner, (i.e. parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, etc.). Learn how modeling, waiting, making comments, avoiding prompts, and responding to communication attempts can make you a stronger communication partner.
|
Assistiveware: Build Communication Partner Skills
|
AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom
Create a free account to access printable core word displays, ideas/planners on how to teach core vocabulary during daily activities, and fun 5-minute communication activities.
|
AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom
|
Board Games and AAC
If you're looking for fun ways to model and use AAC, get out your games! AssistiveWare provides targeted vocabulary and communication examples for several games.
|
AssistiveWare: The Games We Play
|
Boardmaker Online
Boardmaker Online is currently offering a 30-day free trial. Boardmaker Online can be utilized to create materials such as choice or communication boards. Within Boardmaker Online, you'll also find Reading Avenue, an accessible program that focuses on emergent literacy skills.
|
Boardmaker Online
|
Boardmaker Student Center App
This free app for iPads, computers, and Tobii Dynavox communication devices allows individual learner access to interactive, fully accessible, activities via Boardmaker Online.
|
Boardmaker Student Center App
|
Boardmaker Activities-To-Go
A free collection of leveled thematic units that include books, games, communication boards, behavior supports, and more.
|
Boardmaker Activities-To-Go
|
Boardmaker Core First Learning
Access a variety of books focusing on each of the 36 core words as well as lesson plans for how to extend learning. Communication overlays for GoTalk, ProxTalker, QuickTalker, SuperTalker, Tech Speak, and Tech Talk are also available at the bottom of the link to the right.
|
Boardmaker Core First Learning
|
CoughDrop
CoughDrop provides the ability to access, personalize, and expand voice-output communication boards. CoughDrop is an open, flexible AAC application that can run on any system, including desktop computers and laptops, iPads and iPhones, Android tablets and phones, Kindles, Chromebooks, and Windows devices. CoughDrop is offering a free two-month trial period.
|
CoughDrop
|
Explore
Mathematics for Learners with Disabilities
The Challenge: Math activities are confusing or uninteresting.
Strategies to Make Math More Interesting and Less Confusing |
Resource |
Learning Trajectories (Birth to Grade 3 Content, applicable to a wide range of learners)
This resource can help people better understand the natural learning path a learner follows when developing math concepts. By understanding the small learning steps a learner needs to take, you can support them reaching larger mathematical goals. If learners struggle, at any level, it may be caused by missing skills within the trajectories that require more time and support to develop.
Using the trajectories can:
- Help you recognize what your learner is currently capable of and how to support him/her to reach the next developmental level.
- Help you to find areas for growth that can be further developed.
- Give you ideas for activities to use at home.
Accounts are free and resources are currently being developed for at-home use. For more information on how to use this resource, use the Alt+Shift Quick Win.
|
Learning Trajectories
Alt+Shift Learning Trajectories Quick Win
|
Doing Math at Home with Learners with Complex Communication Needs, sensory impairments, and physical impairments (Elementary - High School)
This document provides guidelines on how to engage in math activities with a variety of learners.
|
3 Steps for Doing Math at Home with Learners with Complex Communication Needs, Sensory Impairments, and Physical Impairments
|
Development and Research in Early Mathematics Education (DREME) - Family Math (Birth to age 8, applicable to a wide range of learners)
Family Math prepares professionals who work with families to support parents and caregivers in promoting children’s development of early math skills.
The At-Home Early Math Kit is a printable PDF offering ideas for families to engage in math discussions with their children in different ways (e.g., meal prep, reading time, games to play, discussions to have). It is available in English and Spanish.
The Family Math site is an online resource bank that can be used by educators and families. The site offers more activities like those found in the printable kit. Be sure to explore the Community board for more ideas as well.
|
At-Home Early Math Learning Kit for Families
DREME Family Math
|
Intervention Strategies for Learners Who Struggle (Elementary - Algebra)
Sarah Powell, one of the principal investigators of Project STAIR (Supporting Teaching of Algebra: Individual Readiness) has a collection of videos categorized by topic on her website that offer instructional practices that support students with learning difficulties. Many videos use manipulatives in the demonstration. You can find manipulatives below in the tools section for at-home use.
There are more resources for educators on the Project STAIR website under the Educator’s Resources tab.
|
Intervention Strategies
Project STAIR
|
Math is Visual (Elementary - High School)
This website was designed to help build a deeper understanding of math using pictures and videos. Learners develop mathematical understanding first by seeing and building mental models. Learners who struggle can be supported using this visual strategy.
|
Math is Visual
|
Tools to Make Math More Interesting and Less Confusing |
Resource |
Manipulatives (Elementary - High School)
These learning tools (e.g., blocks, counters, coins) can be used to help learners build number sense by seeing and touching the math. They support mathematical thinking and problem solving through a multi-sensory approach.
|
Free Math Apps K - 6
Virtual Manipulatives and Activities
Toy Theaters Virtual Manipulatives
Printable Manipulatives and work mats
|
Delta Math Visual Fluency Cards (Elementary - Middle School)
Visual fluency cards help learners strengthen and maintain basic fact fluency using visual models for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Directions are provided to guide the exploration and use of the cards with learners.
|
Visual Fluency Cards
|
Digitally Accessible Mathematics (Upper Elementary - High School)
Equatio offers the ability to create digital equations, formulas, graphs, and functions and insert them into Word and Google documents. It is compatible with many operating systems and allows screen readers to access the math notation.
Texthelp offers Equatio to educators for free.
|
Get started with Equatio
|
Desmos (Upper Elementary - High School)
A free online graphing calculator that includes accessibility features for learners with visual impairments. There are also activities learners can engage with and an activity builder where educators and families can build their own.
|
Graphing Calculator
Desmos activities
|
Alternative Paper and Pencils (all grades)
A number of applications have been created to allow students to show their math work using alternatives to paper and pencil. All of the apps linked here have symbols for elementary through high school math, and allow students to save and share their work.
There are three main formats for alternative paper/pencil apps:
- A calculator or keyboard type experience where users select buttons to make numerals and symbols appear on the “paper.”
- A blank area on the screen where learners use their mouse, finger, or stylus to write their math and and their writing is turned into typed math, and sometimes into graphs and tables.
- A desktop experience where users “write” by typing and mouse-clicking
|
Fluid Math (free trial)
Math Type (free trial)
ModMath (free)
MyScript Math (Word Add On - free)
Panther Paper ($19.99)
|
At Home Ideas from People on Twitter
Investigations, a math resource website, has put together an ongoing collection of tweets from people doing math at home called “Suggestions from the Field.” The tweets are some examples of how you might address a variety of learner needs while reviewing and strengthening key math concepts. In addition to the original Tweet (with a photo), the authors of the site suggest ways the activities can be done with learners of different ages.
|
Suggestions from the Field
|
Explore
Learner Engagement
The Challenge: Learning opportunities are confusing or uninteresting.
Learn Strategies That Increase Learner Engagement |
Resource |
Strengthening Family-School Partnerships Project
Michigan educators and parents collaborated to develop 16 ideas to address 4 major challenges that related to building strong partnerships between school and home. To use this resource, select a challenge in the left column, review the ideas in its corresponding row, and click on the idea to learn more.
|
Strengthening Family-School Partnerships Project
|
Engaging with learners and families during remote teaching
The Michigan Low Incidence Work Group convened to build a resource that would be relevant and responsive, and could be used any time, anywhere, by learners with significant disabilities and their families. Click through to the resource, find your major challenge, peruse some promising practices, and then click through to promising practices to learn more about them.
|
Supporting Students with Significant Disabilities During Remote Instruction
|
Online Learning Plan Template
A user on Twitter shared this Online Learning Plan and Letter to My Teacher template to help students reflect, strategize, and communicate their needs during online learning while also being proactive in her planning for potential challenges that could arise with distance learning. Credit: Isabel Morales, EdD (@isabeljmorales) on Twitter.
|
My Online Learning Plan
|
Best Practices for Teaching Learners with Disabilities via Distance Learning
This information from the Council for Exceptional Children provides tips and ideas for teachers who are engaging in distance learning.
|
Best Practices for Teaching Learners with Disabilities via Distance Learning
|
Learner Engagement
Each idea is divided into What Teachers Can Do and What Parents Can Do. The article also includes a link to a Slack community for teachers and parents to talk about how they are supporting learners with disabilities through remote learning.
|
Ten Ideas for Keeping Students with Diverse Learning Needs Engaged at Home
|
Choice Boards
Choice can motivate learners by allowing them to direct their own learning. Choice boards help teachers and parents address individual needs of learners and differentiate lessons for diverse groups of learners. Note, the link in the article to examples is no longer active, but a Google image search for “choice boards” will yield many examples.
|
Using Choice to Motivate and Differentiate
|
Visual Schedules
A visual schedule uses pictures to assist learners in processing verbal information, decrease anxiety, assist with transitions, and increase independence. Visual schedules can be written on a whiteboard, piece of paper, or created using pictures or an online tool.
|
Visual Schedules
|
Supporting Individuals with Autism Through Uncertain Times
The free online toolkit consists of evidence-based, ready-made resources that include social stories explaining COVID-19, strategies to calm and cope with increased anxiety, visual supports, and choice boards.
|
Toolkit for Supporting Individuals with Autism During COVID-19
|
Accommodating Learners with IEPs during the Emergency Remote Instruction Phase
When transitioning to Emergency Remote Instruction, all learners should have an equitable opportunity to learn. This reference sheet helps guide teachers, learners, and parents through the transition to home-based learning when working with an education plan to support learners with disabilities.
|
IEP and 504 Plan Reference Sheet
|
Distraction Free and Safe Video Sharing
Safe YouTube and SafeShare are two free services that let viewers watch and share videos safely. Turn YouTube and Venmo links into “safe” links that open the video in a window with a “pure view,” free from ads, links, and comments that might be distracting, offensive, or inappropriate. Each service has its own set of features that are similar, but different.
|
Safe YouTube SafeShare
|
Family Guide to At-Home Learning
This digital or printable guide has practical strategies that work for helping children of all ages who may be struggling with an at-home learning task. Families may find these strategies useful when helping their children complete various tasks at home.
|
At-Home Learning Guide
|
Explore
Guidance from the Michigan Department of Education
Downloadable guidance documents
Description |
Resource |
MDE COVID-19 Education Information and Resources
The Michigan Department of Education provides information and guidance to assist local school districts, educators, and families in providing education during the pandemic. Those resources are all linked on this page.
|
MDE COVID-19 Education Information and Resources
|
MDE OSE Special Education Guidance
The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education houses guidance documents on the Special Education Guidance page of the MDE website. Information on this page is intended to support school districts by providing information and guidance in response to the impact of COVID-19 school building closures on students with individualized education programs (IEPs).
|
Special Education Guidance
|
Strategies to Use During Extended Time Away From School
This Family Matters Fact Sheet from the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education provides strategies to support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities during extended times away from school. Strategies can be used at home to help learners with new routines and to reduce worry and anxiety. The strategies are universal, meaning they work for learners with and without disabilities.
|
Navigating Extended Time Away From School: Information for Families With Children Receiving Special Education Services
|
Explore