Freedom Scientific releases JAWS 12 Update 1

Freedom Scientific, the company who develops, manufactures, and markets technology-based products that provide equal access to information and computing for those with vision impairments or learning disabilities, has released the March/April issue of their newsletter. This issue offers news about their redesigned line of TOPAZ^® desktop video magnifiers, a JAWS^® 12 update, a new lower price for the RUBY^® handheld video magnifier, and the new JAWS Certification Program.

Read the entire issue at: http://www.freedomscientific.com/news/current-newsletter.asp

New workshop topics in early childhood

Looking for workshop opportunities in early childhood education? The Early Childhood Center at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is offering a new series of learning opportunities for Indiana's early educators working in public school prekindergartens, Head Start classrooms, and child care centers. Three topics are being offered:

• Changing Expectations: Implications for Preschool
• Promoting School Readiness by Reexamining the Classroom Day
• Crafting Effective Instructional Routines

The first is an online presentation available at no cost to participants. The other two are face-to-face workshops being offered at different locations around the state. For more information and to register, go to: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3401

Teaching music

Looking for a resource to help teach music to everyone? Teaching music to students with special needs may be the answer for you. In the broadest possible sense, this manual discusses adaptations, performances, assessments and more to help the music teacher include all students at all levels of learning in the classroom and beyond.

Interested? Send us an email at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this title. Or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Mobile App Monday - MeeGenius!

Got a child who needs help with literacy skills? Looking for an eReader app? Try, MeeGenius! This fun app narrates children’s books that are already in the public domain. It comes with 12 books pre-loaded, but you can download free or purchase others. All books are narrated by a human voice. Highlights the words as it reads to help children with visual and auditory learning skills.

For more information, go to: www.meegenius.com

Understanding a down syndrome diagnosis

Looking for a quick overview of Down syndrome in both English and Spanish? Want to see resources to help with raising a child who has Down syndrome? Understanding a Down syndrome diagnosis may be just what you're looking for. Among the lovely photographs of kids with Down syndrome living, studying and playing with their peers can be found information on families of children with Down syndrome, development and healthcare, educational opportunities and more.

Interested? Send us an email at cedir@indiana.edu.

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs

Looking for some ideas for teaching students who have multiple disabilities? Check out the Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs blog. A host of ideas and tools are highlighted to help make learning easier; from off-the-shelf adaptable assistive tools to specific software and from to high tech to low tech solutions. It also has lists of other specialized blogs, too, such as AAC blogs, AT blogs, Special Ed blogs, and even Art for kids blogs.

Browse on over to them at: http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/

2011 Imagine Cup USA Winner is a Low-Vision Tool

Microsoft's 2011 USA Imagine Cup winners were revealed last week, with the top prize going to students from Arizona State University. David Hayden and Team Note-Taker won with their invention for helping students with low vision take their own notes in class. Note-Taker is a unique laptop- or tablet-ready camera with special software that magnifies and displays on screen what is being written on the blackboard. Students can then either write or type their own notes on their computer, which helps them retain the information being taught. Team Note-Taker will go on to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Imagine Cup's World Finals in July.

For a closer look at the Note-Taker, go to: http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201104155

For more information about Microsoft's Imagine Cup, go to: http://www.imaginecup.com/