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Useful Resources

This page is currently undergoing an update and an evaluation of its content. This should be finalised by the end of November 2008.

To support the information exchange and professional development occurring throughout the Region, resources will be linked to this 'live' page. Please advise the NDCO of additional sites that you would like to see included here.

Occasionally links to some websites change - if you notice a broken link - please let the NDCO know as soon as possible to enable a quick update of the site.

A - Z Disabilities and Relevant Peak Bodies
A - Z Health Information Resource
Access - Improving Access to Higher Education Estates & Buildings
Assistive Technology
Complaints and Discrimination
Disability Conference Websites
Disability Networks
Email Listservers You Can Join
Employment
Information Services - Hunter/Central Coast Regions
General Disability Resources
Legislation
Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training
RDLO Resources and Publications
Resources for Disability Officers/Educators Early Childhood and Secondary Focus Secondary and Higher Education Focus
School to Tertiary Study
Student Learning/Study Skills Resources
Teaching Strategies
Web Accessibility Guidelines

Disclaimer: This page has been designed to provide access to a range of disability related information, and no responsibility can be taken for the content of individual websites.

A - Z Disabilities and Relevant Peak Bodies

Select a letter, scroll down, or use your browser's 'find' command to locate the appropriate link…..

A | B | C | D | E | G | H | I | L | M | P | R | S | T | V

Learning Disabilities (LD)
- Australian Learning Disabilities Association (ALDA)
- LD Online (International learning disabilities website)
- LD Assistive Technology
- 'Opening All Options II' - a resource to assist students with a Learning Disability - highly recommended
- Scotopic Sensitivity - see 'Irlen Syndrome' above
- SPELD - Specific Learning Disabilities Association of NSW

M

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Marfan Syndrome
Medical Conditions
Mental Health
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
- Muscular Dystrophy Association of NSW, no website, freecall 1800 635 109, email mdansw@gunnsoft.net.au
- Muscular Dystrophy Australia - homepage
- Muscular Dystrophy - links to international site

P

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Parkinson's Disease
- Parkinson's NSW
Physical Disabilities
Polio
- Post-Polio Network of NSW
Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA)
- Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of NSW (Aust) Inc
Psychological Disorders
- NCET - Psychological Disorders

R

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Restless Leg Syndrome

S

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Schizophrenia
- Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW
- Schizophrenia
Scoliosis
- Health Care Information Resources - Scoliosis
- Scoliosis Treatment - a USA website
- Keep Kids Healthy - Scoliosis page
Scotopic Sensitivity - see 'Irlen Syndrome' above
Sleep Apnea
Speech/Communication Disorders
Spina Bifida
- Spina Bifida - General Facts
- Spina Bifida Group of NSW
Stroke
- Stroke Recovery Association
- National Stroke Association

T

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V

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Vision Impairment - See 'Blindness and Vision Impairment'

Access - Improving Access to Higher Education Estates & Buildings

Access and Egress - Emergency Evacuation Procedures for People with a Disability or Medical Condition by the Western Australian PSEDN group. Limited hard copies, but available on-line in word and PDF
'Architectural Access Brief' - Developing an accessible physical environment from the University of Tasmania website
Managing Better Access Audits - Fact Sheets
Signage Manual - from the University of Tasmania website

Assistive Technology

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AbilityHub - Assistive Technology Solutions 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
Adaptive Technology Centre Indiana University - for software evaluations and ongoing research
'Assistive Technology for Children with Learning Difficulties' - downloadable book from the Schwab Foundation for Learning, 2000
Assistive Technology Project site - includes 'accessibility on a budget' and links to other sites
Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association
CAST - website for a non-profit organisation that uses technology to expand opportunities for people with disabilities, includes curriculum development. Click on 'eText Spider' to access on-line books
Computer Technologies for Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities - what to use when - an informative on-line booklet
Co:Writer 4000 and Draft:Builder - assistive technology programs to assist secondary and post-secondary students who have learning difficulties
C-Print is a new computer-aided speech-to-print transcription system developed as a support service option for some students who are deaf or hearing impaired in mainstream educational environments (it is hoped that trials of this system will commence in Australia sometime in 2002)
'Electronic Text Boost for Students with Learning Disabilities, Low Vision or Blindness - Scan/Read/Achieve', Conference Paper and tutorial information on the use of the Kurzweil 3000 software
Electronic Library - software program for secondary students with severe reading difficulties - with links to current school users to assess value
Journal of Special Education Technology - an online publication of the Technology and Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children
Kurzweil 3000 Product Information Site
Kurzweil Educational Systems - includes teaching resources for users of K3000 software
Liberated Learning Project - The University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, is participating in an international project trialling the use of voice recognition software in lectures to produce notes for students with a disability
LD Assistive Software Co-operative Project
Quantum Technology - developing and manufacturing technology solutions for students who are blind, vision impaired or have a learning disability
Quicktionary Reading Pens - have a look at the product supplier's website and read about the new Quicktionary II, it reads whole lines as well as word by word. Have a look at the 'Quicktionary Reading Pen Evaluation' from the 'Assistive Technology in Universities' website
Speaking to Write - Realising the Potential of Speech Recognition for Secondary Students
textHELP Systems (developers of technological solutions for literacy needs - you can download a cheap screenreader to trial for LD students), and the Australian distributor SPECTRONICS

Complaints and Discrimination

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Human Rights and Equal Opportunities website

Disability Conference Websites

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ADCET Latest News webpage
"Doing It Better" Learning Disabilities Conference, Melbourne, 14/15 May 2007

Disability Networks

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Disclaimer: Various known Networks have been listed here for your information. The inclusion of organisations on this website should not be taken as an endorsement of that group by the Hunter/Central Coast RDLO, but in the context of a provision of information. We apologise if some groups have not been included. Please email the RDLO with your Network's information if you wish to be listed.

Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). AHEAD is an international, multicultural organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities
Australian Association of Special Education (AASE) (Hunter Branch), Contact Barbara Hinchey on 4929 7432
Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training
Australian Learning Disability Association (ALDA)
Australasian Network of Students with Disabilities (ANSWD) for tertiary students - includes instructions on how to subscribe to their mailing list
Central Coast Disability Network
Council for Exceptional Children - a USA site
Disability Education Association of NSW/ACT (DEAN) - a network of disability services staff involved in the provision of support services to students with a disability in the NSW tertiary education system
Disability Education Network (DEN) - Hunter/Central Coast Region - this website
Disability Network - Hunter
EdNA Online - Education Network Australia
LD Online (International Learning Disabilities network)
Oz-TeacherNet - Teachers Helping Teachers - National Australian site, with access to topical special education listservers
VICNET Disability Page - Victoria's Network

Email Listservers You Can Join

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Austed-list: A national professional tertiary list. If you wish to subscribe send a message to majordomo@postoffice.utas.edu.au leaving the subject line blank. In the body of the message type the command: subscribe austed-list
Australian Learning Disability Association - how to join the list
Australasian Network of Students with Disabilities (ANSWD) for tertiary students - to subscribe to the mailing list send an e-mail to majordomo@mail-g.deakin.edu.au with 'subscribe anzswd-list' in the message (without quotes)
Disability Advocacy Service Hunter (DASH) - send an email to this address to subscribe to their e-News for the latest information relevant to the Hunter disability sector
Disability Education Network (Hunter/Central Coast): The listserver supporting the site you are currently accessing - go to DEN Listserver
Kurzweil Education Systems Group (Scanning issues): Whether you're having difficulty scanning the latest bestseller, have a technical support question that needs answering, or just want to share a positive scanning or reading experience, the Kurzweil listserver may be for you. To subscribe, go to http://www.kurzweiledu.com/usergroup.html
Learning Disabilities Online: A very informative USA monthly digest. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the LD OnLine Report, visit http://www.ldonline.org/subscribe.shtml
NSW-Disability List: A professional list open only to tertiary disability practioners in NSW. Contact Kerri Heavens at k.heavens@uws.edu.au for subscription.
OzAdvocacy Listserver: Information dissemination and discussion list for people interested in disability rights in Australia. To join send a subscribe message to mailto:ozadvocacy@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
Oz-TeacherNet - Teachers Helping Teachers: National Australian site, go to http://rite.ed.qut.edu.au/oz-teachernet/index.html and follow the 'subscribe to oz-teacher' links to join their listserve.
Speech Recognition Discussion List: Join an email discussion forum of the educational issues associated with using speech recognition technology to support students with a disability at home and in school settings.Go to http://www.edc.org/spk2wrt/spk2wrt.html to subscribe. To access the spk2wrt archive containing a full list of all discussion threads to date, go to http://www.edc.org/spk2wrt/hypermail. For more information about the Speaking to Write project, visit the website at http://www.edc.org/spk2wrt.
USA Professional Disability List: Very active and informative - a good barometer for issues that may arise in Australia as well. Strongly advise that a folder be created for this list in your email, modifying your settings to move these messages directly to that folder so that your 'In' box doesn't become too busy. To join, send a message to listserv@listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu with the message subscribe dsshe-l. To search the archives, go to http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/archives/dsshe-l.html Questions? Contact Listowner Dan Ryan at dryan@buffalo.edu.

Employment

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Coming soon…….a more comprehensive list of regional specialist employment agencies who assist people with a disability, along with information on opportunities for supported employment.

JobAccess - a great resource….JobAccess is a comprehensive, easy to use website and a free professional telephone information and advice service. Users of the service can access confidential, expert advice on matters relating to the employment of people with disability
Disability Employment Networks - Regional services - dowload the Hunter/Central Coast School Leavers Directory
Australian JobSearch Site - a Government website where you can access every job advertised throughout Australia region by region, state by state, or in the whole of Australia at once. The site is updated daily, and has useful information about resume preparation and much more.
Centrelink page 'Services and Programs for Injured, Ill or Disabled People' which links to a range of important information
Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services webpage - Support for People with a Disability - is worth a look, along with their Disability Program page
Disability Employment Services in NSW - A list of community-based Disability Employment Services in NSW
Disability Services Australia - Employment Services
'Education to Employment' - provides information for employers and university students with a disability who have finished their studies and who are looking for work
Group Training Companies
'Job Guide' - circulated yearly to Year 10 students
Job Network - Government referral service to local providers - 136268
Links to Assist People with a Disability find Employment
'Making It Happen' - a resource book and planner for students who have a disability and who are considering post-school options
Office of the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment (ODEOPE) has a website to assist people with a disability find employment in the NSW Public Sector - it includes how to apply for positions, adjustments, lists of employment agencies and much more
'Unlock Your Future' - a University of Western Australia resource which contains 'careers and job-finding information for graduates with disabilities and medical conditions'

Information Services - Hunter/Central Coast Region

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Disability Advocacy Service - Hunter (DASH) - (02) 4927 0111, and link to their Hunter Disability Services page
DASH Infoline Online - the web version of the Hunter Disability Directory
Disability Information Service - (02) 4927 0111
'Disability Services and Support Organisations' - Hunter/Central Coast - refer to this entry in local yellow pages directory for a full listing of local services

General Disability Resources

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NDS - The ACROD NSW Division is now known as National Disability Services. National Disability Services NSW is recognised in its own right by the NSW Government as the Peak Body representing services in the State
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet - a comprehensive site
Centrelink page 'Services and Programs for Injured, Ill or Disabled People' which links to a range of important information
DASH Infoline Online - the web version of the Hunter Disability Directory
Disability Access Symbols - downloads
Disability Information Service - Hunter Region - phone 4927 0111
Disability Information Resource Centre - enablenet - South Australia
Disability Scholars Society of Queensland
Early Childhood Intervention Infoline 1300 656 865. No website. Assists parents to locate early intervention services (such as medical diagnosis and treatment, assessment, therapy, educational and support services) in their local area. Focussed on children with a developmental delay or a disability aged 0 to school entry age. Email ecia@systemat.com.au.
EnableNet is a Disability Portal created and maintained by the Disability Information and Resource Centre (DIRC). It is the one-stop-site on the Internet for information on all aspects of disability.
Films Involving Disability issues - a review of 2,500 films
Health Care Information Resource (Canada) - thousands of links, recommended as a general resource
Makaton Australia - Makaton Vocabulary is a language program which provides a basic means of communication and encourages language development in children and adults with communication difficulties
Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association (MDAA) of NSW, Freecall 1800 629 072, email mdaa@healey.com.au
National Clearinghouse on Education and Training for People with Disabilities (NCET) - site still live but NCET funding has ceased
National List of University Disability Liaison Officers - if you need to contact DLO's in Australia or access university disability webpages, and another site at http://www.anu.edu.au/disabilities/
Parenting Children with Special Needs - A guide to 700 sites, a useful resource for professionals as well
Printing and Designing Material for People with a Disability - Making Text Legible: Designing for People with Partial Sight, and Effective Color Contrast Designing for People with Partial Sight and Color Deficiencies - from the Lighthouse International website
NSW State Library Disability Access Service
Technical Aid for the Disabled
Universities Disabilities Co-operative Projects NSW - includes resources for secondary students

Legislation

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A brief Guide to the DDA (1992)
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1992)
DDA (1992) Education Page
Disability Standards and Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions relating to the DDA (1992)
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission and the Disability Rights homepage within this site
Policy and Legislation - Regional Disability Liaison Officer/Disability Co-ordination Officer National Website
"Your Right to an Education: A Guide for students with a disability, their associates, and education providers" - a new 2007 resource

National Clearinghouse

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Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training - a great resource

RDLO/DCO Resources

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Choosing Your Path: Disclosure, It's a Personal Decision
Disability Education Network Website - Hunter/Central Coast Region, NSW
'Education to Employment' (for students with a disability and employers)
Hunter/Central Coast School Leavers Directory
Inclusive Practice is Good Practice - teaching strategies
Mature Age Study - this website is designed for mature age people with disabilities and/or medical conditions considering tertiary education at TAFE, university or Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
'Opening All Options II' - A resource to assist students with a Learning Disability
Tasmanian RDLO Gatesways website - lots of resources
'Making It Happen' - is a resource book and planner for students who have a disability and who are considering post-school options
"Your Right to an Education: A Guide for students with a disability, their associates, and education providers" - a new 2007 resource

Resources for Disability Officers/Educators

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Early Childhood and Secondary Focus
A - Z Teacher Stuff - search for 'special education'
Access and Egress - Emergency Evacuation Procedures for People with a Disability or Medical Condition by the Western Australian PSEDN group. Limited hard copies but available on-line in word and PDF
AbilityHub - Assistive Technology Solutions for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult, maybe even impossible. This website will direct you to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers
Asperger's Syndrome - Educational Implications: Ideas For Classroom
Management - go to 'Education' link on navigation bar. A USA resource.
Asperger's Syndrome - A guide for parents, professionals, people with Asperger's Syndrome, and their partners. An Australian site developed by author Tony Attwood - highly recommended
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet - a comprehensive site
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - the largest international professional organisation for children with special needs
'Curriculum Exchange' - a Qld Government resource which has now become password protected, but you can apply for access - info through this link
Curriculum tools - Marshall Brain's 'How Stuff Works' is an amazing site with animated graphics on how things work. If you have students asking 'how does ….. work?' - well, this site covers it all!
Disability Access Symbols - downloads
Disability Advocacy Service - Hunter (DASH) - (02) 4927 0111, and link to their Hunter Disability Services page
EnableNet is a Disability Portal created and maintained by the Disability Information and Resource Centre (DIRC). It is the one-stop-site on the Internet for information on all aspects of disability.
EdNA Online - Education Network Australia
Enhancing Internet Activities and Reading Skills of People with Developmental Disability
Electronic Library - software program for secondary students with severe reading difficulties - with links to current school users to assess value
Gander Academy - a general website with thematic resources for teachers in primary schools
"Internet Training Materials for People with a communication or literacy disability" - 2001 Australian project - download tutor and student manuals
K-12 teaching strategies for educators on the 'DO-IT' website
Literacy - practical ideas from the Resource Support Unit (January 2001 Newsletter) to promote literacy in every classroom …….
Dr Musselwhite's website - additional links and great ideas for older students
Pati King-DeBaun's website - links to many other sites and ideas from Pati's storytime series
The Intellitools website - through the activity exchange there are enough ideas to last a lifetime!
The Spectronics website - links to informative sites as well
Makaton Australia - Makaton Vocabulary is a language program which provides a basic means of communication and encourages language development in children and adults with communication difficulties
Oz-TeacherNet - Teachers Helping Teachers - National Australian site, with access to topical special education listservers
Parenting Children with Special Needs - A guide to 700 sites, a useful resource for professionals as well
Printing and Designing Material for People with a Disability - Making Text Legible: Designing for People with Partial Sight, and Effective Color Contrast Designing for People with Partial Sight and Color Deficiencies - from the Lighthouse International website
ResponseAbility - this 2002 package deals with issues related to student mental health, with a strong focus on coping and resilience
Risk and Resilience: A Teacher's Guide to Mental Health (from the ResponseAbility Package)
Setting Directions Forum 2002 - NSW forum to provide information about tertiary education options for people with a disability
Special Education Sites To Visit - links from a USA website
Students with Disabilities in Post-Secondary Education - Issues and Trends for a New Decade - a topical Pathways 5 Conference Paper
'Take Note: How to Take Notes for a Student with a Disability'
Towards Success - a series of guides which contain study skills and resources for students with a range of disabilities. For students who are currently studying, or intending to study, in higher education. *Note: site is currently under reconstruction but keep an eye out for the updated books
Transition Planning for Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities: A Guide for Health Care Providers (2000) - from the USA
Transition Planning for Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities: Information for Families and Teens (2000) - from the USA
VECO - Vocational Education Community Online: Resources Library - Australian database
Which Course? Which University - a DEST directory of courses and the universities which offer them