Accommodations & Modifications
A 504 plan is a legal document that outlines a plan of instructional services for students in the general education setting. Students with ADHD often have a 504 plan. While not an IEP, the document usually describes the types of accommodations that will be made for a student in school. This section contains articles that provide helpful information about 504s and various types of accommodations.
There are 39 articles in this section.
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Accessible Textbooks: A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities
If your child cannot read their textbooks, they need digital copies of their books. Schools now can use National Instructional Material Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) to get e-text. Learn the details that will help you advocate for your child so they can use NIMAS. And learn where to find the publishers and producers that provide e-text.
Accommodations and Compliance Series: Employees with Learning Disabilities
Learn how to accommodate yourself on the job. This article has simple and time-tested strategies for being productive even if you have trouble reading, spelling, writing, or calculating numbers. Read about accommodations for difficulty speaking, organizing yourself, remembering, and managing time. Introductory information on learning disabilities is provided to help managers handle accommodation issues.
Accommodations for Students with LD
The National Center for Learning Disabilities presents examples of accommodations that allow students with learning disabilities to show what they know without giving them an unfair advantage. Accommodations are divided into the following categories: how information is presented to the student, how the student can respond, timing of tests and lessons, the learning environment, and test scheduling.
Learn how to obtain instructional materials in electronic text for your students who are dyslexic. E-text makes textbooks and other materials usable by supported reading software. Get names and links of publishers and accessible media producers to find the E-text you need. And learn how to qualify your students and obtain materials produced by the National Instructional Material Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) system.
Assisting Students with Foreign Language Learning Difficulties in School
Students with language learning difficulties can learn foreign languages in school, when they have appropriate instructional modifications. This article looks at the kinds of students who may have difficulty successfully fulfilling a foreign language requirement in school, instructional methods that help, and additional adaptations at-risk students might need.
Read about the uses of assistive technology (AT) for people with learning disabilities in the workplace. The obligations of the employer and learning-disabled employee are summarized. Job Accommodation Network (JAN) can play a role in facilitating the process. Suggestions are given for commercially available and specialized devices that have an AT function. Links to additional information on AT are also provided.
Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An Overview
If your child has a learning disability, she may benefit from assistive technology tools that play to her strengths and work around her challenges.
Assistive Technology Tools: Reading
Learn about assistive technology tools that help with reading.
Beyond "Getting the Answer": Calculators Help Learning Disabled Students Get the Concepts
When should a teacher allow students to use a calculator? Here is a look at what research shows about the when a calculator should be used- and when it should not be used. A flow chart is provided to help teachers make a choice about classroom calculator use.
Dysgraphia Accommodations and Modifications
Signs and symptoms of dysgraphia are described. Use the menu of accommodations and modifications to pick the best ones for your students, so they can learn the material without interference by their writing problems. Examples include; let them have more time, simplify the task, allow assistance for part of the task (i.e. a scribe to physically write for a student, give them tools that will help, or change the format). Do not lower your expectations for actual learning. The last section of the article has remediation recommendations to help the student improve their writing and overcome their dyscalculia.
A dyslexia expert observed her student trying to learn at school. She provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes description of his struggle. This article has numerous proven examples of differentiating instruction and accommodating a student to succeed.
Dyslexia and the Challenge of Using Today's Technology
How do people with dyslexia learn to use technology? Learn to solve the problems caused by dyslexia such as remembering passcodes and learning complicated tasks. Find out how to save time doing your work and find files in the computer
Examples of Accommodations from State Assessment Policies
Teachers and IEP teams: Review the examples of accommodations for testing in this article. They were drawn from 47 states that administer statewide examinations. Accommodations are divided into four categories, when the test is taken (scheduling), where the test is taken (environment), how the test is given (presentation), and how the student answers the questions (response).
Feeling Safe at School: How New Technologies Can Help
Children with learning disabilities often feel unsafe. Learn ways that technology can help children with learning disabilities feel safe and secure in school, such as: creating maps that will help the student know where they are in the building; giving them advance access to education material so they can prepare; and reminding them of routines.
Jane Quenneville - Mentor Teacher
This month our mentor teacher is Jane Quenneville, an assistive technology specialist for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Jane, was most recently chosen as teacher of the year for the Special Education Annex, an itinerant group of professionals who serve students with disabilities. Jane began her career as an occupational therapist.
Job Accommodations for People with Learning Disabilities
Practical suggestions for reasonable accommodations are offered for difficulties people with learning disabilities might encounter in the workplace. Ideas are provided for trouble with reading, writing, memory, hearing, organizing and spelling. If a specific problem is not included, read a method to evaluate the problem and propose a solution to the employer.
Making the Written Word Easier for Readers with Print Disabilities
Learn the answers to frequently asked questions about accessing e-text through the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC). Find out how to obtain e-text so that LD students can get printed material in the format they need.
Assessment accommodations help people with learning disabilities display their skills accurately on examinations. Teachers, learn how to test the true knowledge of your students. Don't test their ability to write quickly if you want to see their science skills! Parents, these pointers will help you assure that your children are tested fairly.
Organizational Problems and the Beginning of the School Year
Read techniques from Rick Lavoie to help your child get organized for new school year. Don't let their bedrooms and backpacks become black holes. They need effective systems and routines. Get them started right so they can remember their homework assignments, stick to deadlines, and develop organizational skills.













