Students Write Wiki About Building Wings

Highland Park Junior High in Saint Paul Public Schools, MN believe that all students in the Inclusion Program can learn to read and write given good instruction and opportunities for authentic reading and writing experiences. Here's a great WIKI the students created to discuss Don's book, Building Wings. Special thanks to Barb Wollak, SLP for sharing this creative learning approach!

Special2ME Reviews Building Wings

Leila Banks, Blog Writer and Book Reviewer of Special2ME, just reviewed Building Wings and loved it! She said "There is something to be said for teachers who believe that every student can & will achieve if given the proper motivation and age-appropriate books!" Read her review.

New Research Demonstrates Gains in Emergent Reading Skills for Adolescents with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities

Don Johnston Incorporated, publisher of assistive technologies and literacy software for students with special needs, has shared new research to demonstrate improvements in the emergent reading skills of adolescents with autism, intellectual and multiple disabilities. The research was conducted by Penelope Hatch, Ph.D., CCC-SLP at the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The seven-week intervention studied 43 students in total, ages 12 to 21, with diverse ethnicities and exceptionalities. Dr. Hatch designed the study to determine the effects on students’ daily reading experiences using age/ability-appropriate text with two groups of teachers: those trained to teach comprehensive literacy instruction and teachers without this training. Each student group read Don Johnston’s Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters, a collection of computer and paperback books designed for non-readers and students reading at beginning levels. They read for 30 minutes a day in self-selected reading assignments, teacher-led instruction or a combination of the two practices. 

Dr. Penny Hatch - Research Study
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/start_to_finish/literacy/research.html

Learn more About Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters:
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/start_to_finish/literacy/index.html

Text Readers with Reading Supports Based on National Reading Panel

Educators considering access to accessible books will want to learn more about the Read:OutLoud 6 text reader.  This 'must-have' assistive technology tool was designed by AT Pioneer, Don Johnston.  You can check how the tool was designed and all of the added features it has at www.donjohnston.com. 

While you're there, you'll want to read the latest press release showcasing the 2010 VA statewide purchase of Read:OutLoud 6 to provide digital access to general ed. instruction.  This state ACCESS initiative supports tens of thousands of students w/ IEPs.  Read about it here:  http://tiny.cc/VAAIMebookreadeader

Reading Curriculum for Students with Special Needs

Julie W. Spedale, Director of the OPTIONS program for St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, LA uses the Start-to-Finish computer ebooks as her specialized reading curriculum to improve reading comprehension and fluency skills.  

Ms. Spedale says, "When students are brought together through a compelling story, there is no telling how far that friendship and learning opportunity will grow." 

http://www.donjohnston.com/educators/award_winning_schools/st_thomas_more.html

Independent eBook Review by Muncie Kardos, ConnSense Editor

Muncie Kardos, educator and editor of ConnSense Bulletin just wrote an independent product review of the Start-to-Finish Core Content computer books.  She used the ebooks to provide support to a group of middle and high school students with disabilities to enable them to access and participate in the general education science and social studies curriculum.  Read her review at http://www.donjohnston.com/products/start_to_finish/core_content/cc_review.html

Family Center on Technology & Disabilities Article

Here's a great article from the Family Center on Technology and Disabilities, Washington DC about quality accessible software and ebooks written by Dr. Ben Satterfield at the Center for AT Excellence.

Mr. Satterfield said, “We thought that technology could be powerful for children with disabilities but we lacked the proof. We certainly have the proof now. The blessing for us personally is that technology has made an enormous difference for Blake. To have an 18-year-old with Down syndrome who can read almost anything, who knows more about Romeo and Juliet than I do, because of the Start to Finish books (http://www.donjohnston.com/products/start_to_finish/library/index.html). Blake can find his way around a computer because the computer environment is so friendly and patient. This has been a revelation for the entire family and has informed much of our work with AT and instruction.”

http://www.fctd.info/resources/newsletters/displayNewsletter.php?newsletterID=10080