Free Software and Computer Activities
Switch Activities
www.oneswitch.org.uk/2library.htm
This site contains single switch activities to download and directions on how to adapt remote controlled cars and video game controllers. Windows only.
www.northerngrid.org/sen/intro.htm
Single switch activities, which train cause & effect, targeting, and scanning.
www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk
Lots of activities. Includes cause & effect, targeting, interactive storybooks, counting, mouse skills and more. Great stuff for older students.
www.cliu.org/se/assistive_technology.aspx
Go to "Launch Assistive Technologies Resource CD" then to PowerPoint Ideas. There are several already made PowerPoint presentations designed for switch users. (Many other great resources available here also.)
Ready-Made Adapted Activities
www.intellitools.com
Free activities created by other educators to use with IntelliKeys and switches. Although it is free, you must register and have the IntelliTools software in order to use any of the activities.
www.blindsoftware.com
This site offers free activities of several programs. Example: Funk in the Trunk is a free full-version download of a virtual car stereo, which teens will love.
AAC Support
www.baltimorecityschools.org/boardmaker/adapted_library.aspOn this website you will find books that have been adapted using the Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) and the Mayer-Johnson program BoardMaker.
www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/pep/teachercreate.html
Teacher created resources, which includes communication boards and worksheets, adapted books and songs. Windows only.
www.tinsnips.org/Pages/makeandtake.html
Make and take ideas to help with task completion, choice-making, communication, and schedules.
www.setbc.org/pictureset/Default.aspx
PictureSET is a collection of downloadable visual supports that can be used by students for both receptive and expressive communication in the classroom, at home, and in the community. This searchable database allows you to find a wide range of useful visual supports for different curriculum areas, activities, and events. You can download as a PDF or BoardMaker file.
www.symbolworld.org
Has many on-line stories, some recipes, poetry, news stories, etc. Written and supported with picture icons. Wonderful!
trainland.tripod.com/pecs.htm
Includes pictures that you can use for communication systems. May be used with Boardmaker or on its own by using a cut and paste method. Includes real pictures of many items, such as food, fast food places, stores, etc.
Graphics
www.edupics.com/coloring.htmlFree printable coloring book pages appropriate for students in elementary school. The pictures are educational.
school.discovery.com/clipart
Can download up to 10 clipart images. Includes animations.
office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
Contains more than 150,000 graphics, photos, animations and sounds to download.
pics.tech4learning.com
Copyright-friendly images for education including American Sign Language.
Scanning
www.oatsoft.org/Software/hawking-toolbar/viewA plug-in for the Firefox web browser that scans any web page.
On-Screen Keyboard
www.lakefolks.org/cntFree on-screen virtual keyboard, which features auditory output and scanning.
Cursors
Cursors may need to be enlarged or animated for better visibility. There are several sites on the Internet; here are a few:joescursors.tripod.com/HVCurPg.htm
Windows only.
ww.tucows.com/preview/16285
These are very large and colorful cursors. Windows only.
www.supercursers.com
Super Cursors is a free utility lets you color your Windows cursor.
Keyboarding
www.sunmoonusa.com/TryAl.htmAl Bunny's Typing Class- Type the letters and see if the bunny can beat the turtle. Windows only.
www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~technology/keyboarding/freeware.html
Contains links to various keyboarding sites.
Mouse Practice
www.apples4theteacher.com/paper-doll.htmlPractice mouse skills by dressing the paper doll.
www.beenleigss.qld.edu.au/requested_sites/mousepractice
This site has some great interactive activities for learning to use a mouse.
www.intelore.com/reflex
Provides a game that is available to download for praciticing mouse skills. Windows only.
www.shambles.net/pages/school/mouse
Has various links for providing skills in using a mouse. Also, links for specifically designed for left-handers!
Drawing, Coloring and Creating Programs
www.cs.uu.nl/~markov/kids/draw.html
Drawing for Children
Handwriting
www.handwritingworksheets.com
Allows you to make custom handwriting worksheets and then print them off.
pbskids.org/lions/leona/abc_a.html
Animated handwriting site that demonstrates how the letters are supposed to be formed and then allows you to print a practice page and practice the formation on paper. This site also has links to free printable worksheets and games related to other literacy concepts.
www.readingkey.com/hwriting-t/den1/make-d.html
Make customizable handwriting worksheets.
Sign Language
www.lessontutor.com/ASLgenhome.html
American Sign Language tutor.
www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html
Here are a few American Sign Language terms to help those of you who are trying to communicate with a person who signs. Also included is the basic alphabet and numbers 1-10.
Language Arts
E-Text (Electronic Text) free books and text online - Electronic text provides access to digital materials for students with learning, sensory and physical disabilities. The Internet provides many sites for gathering e-text. Here are some links to explore e-text further:www.bibliomania.com
Free Online Literature with more than 2000 Classic Texts.
www.magickeys.com/books
Illustrated and animated children's storybooks. Graphics Pictures are used to support students with communication devices, to use with picture schedules and to enhance presentations.
www.nellieedge.com
Free little books, poetry and picture recipes.
www.pacificnet.net/~johnr/aesop
Aesop's fables online - complete with lesson plan ideas. Some fables have audio with them.
Text-To-Speech
www.readplease.com
ReadPlease 2003 (Free Edition) offers full support for all Microsoft voices, reads text via Windows clipboard from any program, Adjustable voice speed (rate) and more.
www.naturalreaders.com
Natural Voice Reader - software that converts text into voice. Reads text directly from other applications, without copying or pasting. Can also convert text files into MP3 or WAV files for use on portable devices like iPod, CD players and PocketPCs.
Springdoo is a free service that lets you talk your emails. Anyone can now easily send talking emails in their own voice, without typing. You can use your computer and a microphone, or any telephone. This allows users who have difficulty with writing / typing / spelling to create voice emails and email to anyone they want.
www.yackpack.com
YackPack is simple, web-based voice messaging for groups. For people who are younger or cognitively challenged, this would be absolutely ideal - it's a closed and controlled system... click on the *PHOTO* of the person you want to email, click on the BIG button to record, then click on the BIG button to send. It really is an amazing system and just ideal for people who are able to talk but who have difficulty with functional typing or writing.
Language Arts Activities
www.literacycenter.net
This is a great site. It has basic handwriting, different languages, and other literacy activities that are FREE!
www.starfall.com
Games and stories for pre-readers / elementary students.
Math
cybersleuthkids.com/mathflash/mathflash.htmlHas flash card programs for drill and practice. It has levels ranging from easy with visuals to advanced.
www.ricksmath.com
Free, printable math worksheets encompassing addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, word problems, and much, much more.
Graph Paper
incompetech.com/beta/plainGraphPaperAll different types of graph paper to download.
www.mathematicshelpcentral.com/graph_paper.htm
Different types of graph paper to download.
Sicent
yucky.kids.discovery.comThe yuckiest site on the Internet! This site lives up to it's name, but is full of fun facts for kids about the human body and other interesting and potentially yucky things!
freebies.about.com/od/teacherfreebies/Teacher_Freebies.htm
Dole offers a wealth of free materials for teachers with their 5 A Day program to teach students about nutrition and exercise.
Social Studies
www.yourchildlearns.com/megamaps.htm"Walk through the continents," printable maps of all sizes from one sheet of paper, to 7 feet across! Download free software to your computer.
Educational Games and Programs
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/funandgames
Stories and educational activities.
www.kidzone.ws
Lots of activities and lesson ideas that cover all content areas.
Vocational
careerkids.com/resume.html
Create a simple resume by answering questions.
Teacher Tools
Templates, Graphic Organizers, Etc.
www.mygowrite.com/howtoprint.htmPrintable templates that cover all academic areas. Downloadable as a PDF document.
www.education-world.com/tools_templates/index.shtml
Templates and blank documents including awards, parental communication, flyers and posters, calendars and schedules, and much more.
www.freeology.com/graphicorgs
A variety of graphic organizers.
www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer
Provides PDF files of many graphic organizers. With the hit of a button they are available in Spanish also!
www.educationalpress.org
Create bingo boards, word search puzzles, word scrambles, flash cards, and much more by simply typing in a word list and choosing the desired activity from a menu. You can choose to have everything print in the D'Nealian font as well.
Translation
babelfish.altavista.com
Translates many different languages.
More Resources
alphaplus.ca/opnhs/english/SubjAuth.asp
An index to over 800 web-based instructional resources and articles.
Okay, this isn't free, but...
/www.greyolltwit.com/index.html
Grey Olltwit's Freeware. This is an excellent site with some free software, but requires a one-time, lifetime registration fee of $20 to fully access all of the software available on the site. There are downloadable programs and games to address telling time, money skills, multiplication skills, mouse skills, and much, much more. It also includes a bit of British humor, just to make things interesting. The screen savers are fun and free.
Final Word
Don't forget that each operating system comes with its own supports, "To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential." To learn more about the built-in solutions that are available on your computer:www.microsoft.com/enable/products/default.aspx
For PC computers using Microsoft products.
www.apple.com/accessibility
For Macintosh users.
