CEC Policy Insider

Department of Education Releases Report on Post Secondary Learning Materials

This week, the Department of Education released a report on the Disparities in Post Secondary learning materials for students with disabilities. The Advisory Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities report provided Congress with vital recommendations for improving the ability of postsecondary students with disabilities to obtain accessible instructional materials in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Office of Special Education Programs Announces New Grants for Technical Assistance and Technology and Media Services

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the U.S. Department of Education is now accepting applications for two new grant awards for the 2011 fiscal year.  These awards are funded by IDEA Part D support programs which provide the critical infrastructure, training, research, and development functions necessary to drive improvements in special education, including professional development, technical assistance and dissemination of knowledge. Read CEC’s analysis of IDEA Part D programs here.

The first grant, published in the Federal register on August 15, will provide technical assistance for model demonstration projects for English language learners who have, or are at risk of having, a disability. According to the U.S. Department of Education, as the number of English language learners continues to grow so too is the number of students with disabilities who are also English language learners. This grant will provide the technical assistance and dissemination of knowledge to improve services and results for this student population. Click here for more information.

The second grant, published in the Federal Register on August 17, will provide education materials in accessible formats for students with visual impairments and other print disabilities. It will provide students with free, high-quality textbooks and other materials in an accessible media. The grant will also provide support for classroom appropriate captioning and video description and will be used to promote the development, demonstration and use of technology to provide services to visually impaired and print disabled students.  Click here for more information.

National Education Technology Plan Unveiled; Sets Goals and Recommendations for Teaching, Learning

This week, the U.S. Department of Education released the National Education Technology Plan 2010 -Transforming American Education:  Learning Powered by Technology, a report to Congress, education stakeholders and the general public outlining key goals and recommendations to better integrate technology into learning.

Federal Grant Seeks to Improve Access to New Technologies for Students with Disabilities

As the internet and newer technology devices become more prevalent teaching tools in the classroom, some students with disabilities – such as students who are blind or visually impaired – have a difficult time accessing this instructional material. 

Ensuring that all students have access to instructional material provided via the internet or other technologies (i.e. You Tube, smart phones, online courses, etc.) is the focus of a federally funded grant which seeks to establish a Video Description Research and Development Center. 

E-Readers Must Be Accessible to All Students

In an effort to save money and reach out to their student body through new technology, several universities and colleges have been using devices commonly referred to as “e-readers”  E-readers are handheld devices like Amazon’s Kindle, Apple’s iPAD ™ or Sony’s Reader Digital Book.  Some universities and colleges have required students to use these, even though they are not accessible to all users.