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Learning Disabilities and Information Technology,

Course Registration and Schedule
Note starting in the fall the relevant content from this course will be included in Train the Trainer. However, anyone already working on the Certificate who needs this course can take it as independent study. Contact Norm Coombs nrcgsh@rit.edu
Course registration is $350 with a 20% discount for students and for overseas participants. There is also a %20 discount for groups of four or more.

When you want to register, send email to either Dick Banks (dick.banks@gmail.com) or Norm Coombs (nrcgsh@rit.edu)

Course description

The course will be delivered asynchronous using content on the Web and interactive Internet discussion. Our goal is to help participants discover Internet resources that will let them remain current with the rapidly changing technologies.

Postsecondary students with learning disabilities have unique information technology needs that are readily met through the use of specialized software, handheld technologies, and attention to Web site accessibility. In addition to examining the latest technologies with hands-on application, participants in this course will be provided with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of learning disabilities, as well as curriculum development and instructional strategies, including universal design in education.

This is an asynchronous course taught entirely online. The target audience of the course is made up of postsecondary faculty and support staff to include information technologists, instructional technologists, librarians, and others. Participants are expected to bring previous professional knowledge and experiences regarding practices and strategies for supporting students who have learning disabilities, successful or unsuccessful. Learners of all style preferences, including concrete experiences, reflective observations, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation, will benefit from participation.

Course uses of multimedia

Some of the materials in the workshop require RealPlayer. This media is used as a supplement to the lessons. If you are unable to access the media content, you will not miss any information that is not covered in text format. A test page is provided for you to check the player.

Yahoo Media Help Page

Course textbooks
None required

Certificate in Accessible Information Technology
and Continuing Education Credits

Everyone who completes the course will receive an EASI certificate of completion. Those requesting it will receive 3 continuing education units for doing the course work. Finally, this course is a required course for those working for the EASI/USM Certificate In accessible Information Technology.

Course Syllabus

Lesson 1A: Introductions and Overview

View Sample Lesson 1

Welcome and Review of Expectations

Lesson 1B: Learning Disabilities: An Introduction

Part 1: Legislation
Part 2: Learning Disability Defined
Part 3: Postsecondary Learning Disability Resources

Lesson 2A: Universal Design in Education

Part 1: UDE Defined
Part 2: Translating UD in Architecture to Education
Part 3: Universal Design for Learning Disabilities

Lesson 2B: Assistive Technology for Processing: Reading Support Tools

Part 1: Support for Knowledge Construction
Part 2: Processing AT for Reading
Part 3: Exploration of Reading Tools

Lesson 3A: Assistive Technology for Processing: Writing Support Tools

Part 1: Processing AT for Writing
Part 2: Exploration of Writing Tools

Lesson 3B: Writing Continued and Handheld Technologies

Part 1: Continued Exploration of Writing Tools
Part 2: Handheld Technology

Lesson 4A: Web Accessibility and Students with Learning Disabilities

Part 1: Web Accessibility Guidelines
Part 2: Web Accessibility Resources

Lesson 4B: Summary and Conclusions

EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) is a non-profit organization, and our mission is to make information technologies more accessible to users with disabilities.