Communication

ACE Centre Advisory Trust - carries out assessments and provides information in the use of technology as an aid to communication. (more info) . . . www.ace-centre.org.uk

AMEND ACE Centre North - offers a range of services enabling access to technology for pupils, students and adults with communication impairments. Various publications are available, including Guides for parents, schools and governors. www.ace-north.org.uk

Afasic – promotes understanding, acceptance, equal opportunities and the inclusion into society of pupils and young adults with speech and language impairments. www.afasic.org.uk

Apraxia Kids - a program of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America. A large collection of written materials on apraxia of speech in children. www.apraxia-kids.org

CALL Centre - a service and research unit serving those in Scotland with severe communication difficulties; physical disabilities; and mobility problems." callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk

Cenmac - supports the communication needs of pupils and students with physical disabilities who are receiving their education in schools and colleges throughout inner London. (more info) . . . www.cenmac.com

Communication Matters – information and links about the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) needs of people with severe communication difficulties. www.communicationmatters.org.uk

ISAAC - an international organization linking people interested in AAC throughout the world. www.isaac-online.org

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists - the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK. (more info) . . . www.rcslt.org

Speech Teach - developed to provide teaching resources for parents and professionals supporting children with speech and learning difficulties for example dyspraxia, apraxia and autism. www.speechteach.co.uk

Speechville Express - is a resource for families, educators, and medical professionals, offering information about language development in children, helping those who care for children who are late talkers, and connecting you with others who have been down this road. www.speechville.com

Speech and Language Difficulties

You could also contact:

Communication Aids Centre (Belfast)
Musgrave Park Hospital . Stockmans Lane . Belfast . BT9 7JB
Tel: 01232 669 501

Communication Aids Centre (Cardiff)
Rockwood Hospital . Fairwater Road . Llandaff . Cardiff . CF5 2YN
Tel: 01222 566281 Ext 3708

Communication Aids Centre (London)
The Wolfson Centre . Mecklenburgh Square . London . WC1N 2AP
Tel: 0171 837 7618 Ext 2986

Communication Aids Centre (Southampton)
Southampton General Hospital . Tremona Road . Southampton . SO16 6YD
Tel: 01703 796455 . Fax: 01703 794756

DISABILITIES/CONDITIONS - ORGANISATIONS

ASBAH - a charity that provides services to people with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their carers. http://www.asbah.org/

Ataxia - a registered charity that deals with all kinds of degenerative cerebellar ataxia, not just Friedreich's ataxia, and funds research into causes and treatments.www.ataxia.org.uk

Autistic Society, The National - offer specialist education, training and care for both children and adults with autism. (more info) . . . www.nas.org.uk

Contact a Family – support and advice for parents and a directory giving information on over 1,000 rare syndromes and disorders. (more info) . . . www.cafamily.org.uk

Council for Disabled Children/National Children's Bureau - a registered charity for the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. www.ncb.org.uk

Cystic Fibrosis Trust - offers advice and support to people with cystic fibrosis and their families throughout the UK. www.cftrust.org.uk

Down's Syndrome Association - provides information, support and advice on all aspects of Down's syndrome. (more info) . . . www.downs-syndrome.org.uk

Down Syndrome Educational Trust – offers advice and information for parents and professionals caring for individuals with Down Syndrome. www.down-syndrome.net

Headway National Head Injuries Association - registered charity dedicated to the care and successful reintegration of head injured people within the community. (more info) . . . www.headway.org.uk

Mencap - the largest organisation for parents, families and people with a learning disability in the UK. www.mencap.org.uk

Muscular Dystrophy Group - a registered charity offering information, advice and counselling. (more info) . . . www.muscular-dystrophy.org

Network 81 - offers a special practical service to parents, relating to children's special needs. www.network81.org/

RSI UK – Repetitive Strain Injury UK. www.rsi-uk.org.uk

Scope – information on services for people with cerebral palsy. www.scope.org.uk

SCHOOL WEBSITES

Priory Woods - an all age community special school. The site includes lots of useful resources and ideas for special needs educators. www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk

Kingsbury Special School - online content geared towards use by SLD/PMLD pupils, including online activities. www.sldonline.org/Kingsbury/Kingsbury.htm

Foxdenton School and Integrated Nursery – a clearly presented website that presents information about the school. www.foxdenton.com

Frank Wise School – another clearly presented website that presents information about the school. www.frankwise.oxon.sch.uk

USEFUL FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES

AbilityHub - Assistive Technology for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult, maybe even impossible. This web site will direct you to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers. www.abilityhub.com

AbilityNet - a charity that brings the benefits of computer technology to adults and children with disabilities. www.abilitynet.co.uk

BCS (British Computer Society Disability Group) - a membership organisation which promotes the way technology can effectively assist disabled people. (more info) . . . www.ksap.demon.co.uk/itcanhelp

CALL Centre - a service and research unit serving those in Scotland with severe communication difficulties;physical disabilities; and mobility problems." callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk

Disabled Living Foundation - www.dlf.org.uk

Disability Net - information service, forum, shopping and resource database for the UK. www.disabilitynet.co.uk

Disability Now - the website for the UK's biggest selling disability related newspaper. www.disabilitynow.org.uk

Disabled Workers Co-operative - a useful directory helping disabled individuals to find an keep employment. www.disabledworkers.org.uk

e-bility.com - is a community web site for information and resources of interest to people with disabilities, their family, carers and professionals. www.e-bility.com

Microsoft Accessibility – information on accessibility tools for their products. www.microsoft.com/enable/

Rifton Equipment - provide adaptive walkers, standers, chairs, tricycles, bath chairs and toileting systems. www.rifton.co.uk

Smile Rehab Ltd - suppliers of customized seating designs for those with disabilities. www.smilerehab.com

Soundlinks Ltd – training in speech access to the Internet. www.soundlinks.com

Steeper, RSL - suppliers of environmental control systems . www.rslsteeper.com

Yes2Work - is a not for profit company which aims to help people who receive disability benefits to find jobs. In addition we help our clients with CV preparation and general benefits advice. www.yes2work.org.uk

SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION

Advisory Centre for Education . a registered charity which helps parents support their children in school. www.ace-ed.org.uk

AMEND Advisory Unit: Computers in Education – an independent organisation offering IT services and educational software to schools. www.advisory-unit.org.uk

Basic Skills Agency - a national agency producing and publishing learning material to help children, young people and adults to improve basic skills. www.basic-skills.co.uk

BBC Online Education – starting point for resources and links to other Web sites. www.bbc.co.uk/education/

Becta (The British Educational Communications and Technology agency) – information on ways of using ICT in education. www.becta.org.uk

Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE) Inclusion page – advice and information on the work of the CSIE in promoting inclusive education. inclusion.uwe.ac.uk

Closing the Gap – the online version of the US journal that promotes the use of computer technology in special education. www.closingthegap.com

DfES Special Needs – information on legislation, organizations and projects. www.dfes.gov.uk/sen/

EduWeb - The curriculum support site from RM is now called LearningAlive. www.learningalive.co.uk

Enabling Education Network (EENET) – an information sharing network aiming to support and encourage inclusion. www.eenet.org.uk

EQUALS - a national organisation for teachers of pupils with severe learning difficulties. (more info) . . . www.equals.co.uk

Examinations – Special Arrangements www.aqa.org.uk

Facilitating Inclusion North East (FINE) - FINE brings together twelve Local Education Authorities in the North East of England with the aim of developing more effective inclusive educational practices. www.fine-partnership.org.uk

David Fulton Books - publishers of special needs books. www.fultonbooks.co.uk

Inclusion – a free, searchable catalogue of online resources to support teaching professionals, parents and carers in meeting individual learning needs. inclusion.ngfl.gov.uk

Mailbase to: JISC Mail – a directory of discussion lists primarily for the UK higher education community www.jiscmail.ac.uk

NAACE - national organisation that encourages the effective use of information technology in education. www.naace.org

NASEN (National Association for Special Educational Needs) - publishes many practical publications dealing with language development, literacy, mathematics, and classroom management. (more info) . . . www.nasen.org.uk

National Grid for Learning – a collection of resources brought together by the UK Government. The Schools area has a Special Needs section. www.ngfl.gov.uk

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority – an overview of curriculum, assessment and qualifications. www.qca.org.uk

SCET (Scottish Council for Educational Technology) - www.scet.org.uk

SENJIT (Special Educational Needs Joint Initiative for Training) - offer a range of publications and training. (more info) . . . www.ioe.ac.uk/teepnnp/SENJIT_Home.html

Simon's Raising Achievement Web site – a Web site developed and maintained by a Learning Support teacher to share resources that he has found useful. www.simonmidgley.co.uk

SKILL - supports young people and adults in further and higher education, training and employment. (more info) . . . www.skill.org.uk

Times Educational Supplement – an online version 0f the educational newspaper. www.tes.co.uk

You could also contact:

In Touch - a registered charity providing information and contacts for parents of children with special needs. They can give advice on education, aids and equipment, holidays, residential care, leisure etc. They produce a newsletter three times a year. In Touch Trust . 10 Norman Road . Sale . Cheshire . M33 3DF . Tel: 0161 905 2440

PMLD-Link – a news bulletin for those working with people with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Paul Bramble, Editor . PMLD Link . Centre for Professional Development in Education . University College Northampton . Park Campus . Boughton Green Road . Northampton . NN2 7AI

PRODUCTS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

AbleNet - suppliers of communication aids and other products for the physically disabled - http://www.ablenetinc.com/

Ayres (Mike) Design and Development Ltd - suppliers of multisensory environments. www.mike-ayres.co.uk

Crick Software – this company’s site has free downloadable resources on their Clicker Grids for Learning page for users of the Clicker program. www.cricksoft.com

Fisher Marriott Software - software for special needs. www.fishermarriott.com

Granada Learning/Semerc - supplier of resources for special needs. www.semerc.com

IntelliTools – This site has a free activity exchange – download free IntelliKeys resources. www.intellitools.com

Don Johnston Special Needs - supplier of software and access devices for learners with special needs. www.donjohnston.co.uk

IEP Writer - www.iepwriter.co.uk

Jessica Kingsley Publishers - An independent publisher of books and resources on autism spectrum conditions, learning disabilities, special educational needs and social work - suitable for parents and professionals.
www.jkp.com

KeyTools - www.keytools.com

LDA Learning - publish teaching materials for special needs.

• Abbeygate House, East Road, Cambridge CB1 1DB
• Tel: 0845 120 4776
• Fax: 0800 783 8648
• web site: www.ldalearning.com

Maltron - supplier of ergonomic keyboards. www.maltron.co.uk

Penfriend Limited- makers of Penfriend, the talking predictive typer. www.penfriend.biz

QED 2000 Ltd - suppliers of communication aids and access devices.www.qedltd.com

REM (Rickitt Educational Media) - supplier of software. www.r-e-m.co.uk

Research Machines Plc - RM Window Box Partners. www.rm.com

Resource - resources for learners with special needs. www.resourcekt.co.uk

Routledge - publishers of special needs books. www.routledge.com

Sherston Software Ltd - supplier of software for special needs. www.sherston.com

Softease Ltd - software for special needs. www.softease.co.uk

Spacekraft Ltd - suppliers of multisensory environments. www.SpaceKraft.co.uk

Speechmark Publishing Ltd - A publisher of special needs materials for professionals. www.speechmark.net

Sunrise Medical Ltd - suppliers of communication aids and equipment for those with disabilities.www.sunrisemedical.co.uk

TAG Learning - software supplier www.taglearning.com

Toby Churchill Ltd - suppliers of communication aids. www.toby-churchill.com

Topologika - software. www.topologika.co.uk

Widgit Software – the special needs section of this company’s Web site has lots of useful information. www.widgit.co.uk

Learning Difficulties

BILD (British Institute of Learning Disabilities) - offers a range of services for professionals and carers working with adults and children with learning disabilities. (more info) . . . www.bild.org.uk

Brainwave - therapy for children with developmental delay whether caused by Cerebral Palsy, genetic disorder or brain injury. www.brainwave.org.uk

Check The Map - this site has been set up to make it easy for everyone to find out what services there are for people with Learning Disabilities/Difficulties in their local area, or any area, just by clicking the map or typing in a postcode. www.checkthemap.org

Mindroom - a charity aimed at helping children and adults with learning difficulties. www.mindroom.org