The document discusses inclusive classrooms and the benefits of inclusion. An inclusive classroom embraces diversity, provides access to learning for all students, and encourages collaboration between teachers. Benefits of inclusion include building community, enhancing respect, and maximizing individual growth. The document also provides examples of technological resources that can aid students with special needs, such as ADD/ADHD, visual disabilities, auditory disabilities, and learning disabilities. These include tools like electronic organizers, screen magnifiers, talking word processors, and voice recognition software.

1. The Inclusive Classroom

2. Inclusive Classrooms Embraces diversity Provides access to learning to all students Allows students to learn in the least restrictive environment Has high expectations for all students Tailors learning to meet individual needs Encourages co-teaching and collaboration

3. Benefits of inclusion Builds community Enhances respect for others Maximizes individual growth Increased achievement of IEP goals Increased school staff collaboration Increased parent participation Increased inclusion in future environments

4. Technological resources for special needs ADD/ADHD Aids to find material (e.g., color coded folders, index tabs) Electronic organizers and reminders Recorded material (e.g., digital books) Portable word processors

5. Technological resources for special needs Visual Disabilities Glare-reduction screens Screen magnifiers Hand-held magnifies Braille note-taking devices Talking word processors and calculators

6. Technological resources for special needs Auditory Disabilities Personal frequency modulation (FM) systems transmitter microphone used by the speaker and a receiver used by the listener Hearing loop amplifies sound and reduces background noise

7. Technological resources for special needs Learning Disabilities Electronic books Voice recognition software Word prediction software Talking spell checkers Electronic organizers

8. References FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy http://www.cpeip.fsu.edu/resourceFiles/resourceFile_18.pdf Kids Together, Inc. http://www.kidstogether.org/inclusion/benefitsofinclusion.htm American Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm Tools for Life ( Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act Program) http://www.gatfl.org/AssistiveTechnology/tabid/873/Default.aspx ATSTAR http://atstar.org/atinfo/info_disabilities_add.htm Georgia Project for Assistive Technology http://www.gpat.org/resources.aspx?PageReq=GPATlmp Kids Health http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html