Resources

NJ Department of Education, Office of Special Education (NJ DOE) The New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DOE) Office of Special Education ensures that students with disabilities receive the support and services necessary to achieve educational success in accordance with state and federal laws. It provides resources, guidance, and oversight to schools and districts to implement effective special education programs and promote inclusive practices.

NJ Coalition for the Advancement of Rehabilitation Technology (NJCART) NJCART is an initiative designed to provide support and resources for adolescents with disabilities in New Jersey. It aims to enhance the transition process from school to adulthood by offering training, guidance, and services related to employment, independent living, and community involvement for students with special needs.

DRNJ Richard West Assistive Technology Center (DRNJ) The Richard West Technology Center provides resources, training, and support to help people with disabilities access technology that enhances their independence, communication, and overall quality of life. The center focuses on assistive technology, offering a range of tools and services to improve daily living and education.

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) The Special Parent Advisory Network is a nonprofit organization that provides support, advocacy, and resources to families of children with disabilities. It works to empower parents and caregivers by offering information, training, and assistance in navigating special education services, healthcare, and community programs, helping them ensure their children receive the appropriate services and support.

NJ Speech and Hearing Association (NJSHA) The New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association is a professional organization that represents speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and other professionals in the fields of speech, language, and hearing in New Jersey. It advocates for the advancement of these fields, provides resources and continuing education opportunities, and promotes best practices in speech and hearing services to improve communication and quality of life for individuals with communication disorders.

NJ State Accessible Education Materials Coordinator (NJ AEM) The NJ State AEM Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that students with disabilities in New Jersey have access to appropriate and accessible educational materials, such as textbooks, digital content, and assistive technology. The coordinator works with schools, districts, and educational stakeholders to implement the use of accessible formats (like braille, audio, or digital texts) to support the learning needs of students with disabilities, in compliance with state and federal regulations.

iCanConnect Project NJ (NJ ICC) The iCanConnect project is a national program that provides free telecommunications and technology services to individuals who have both a degree of hearing and vision loss. It helps eligible individuals access communication technologies, such as specialized phones, computers, and accessories, to improve their ability to connect with others and navigate the world. The program offers equipment, training, and technical support to enhance accessibility and independence for those with combined hearing and vision loss.

NJ Educational Computing Cooperative (NJECC) The New Jersey Education Computing Cooperative is an organization that provides educational technology solutions and services to public school districts in New Jersey. It offers a range of services, including technology procurement, training, and support, to help districts effectively integrate technology into the classroom. The NJECC works to enhance learning opportunities, streamline educational processes, and improve access to technology resources for both students and educators across the state.

New Jersey Technology and Engineering Educators Association (NJTEEA) The New Jersey Technology and Engineering Educators Association is a professional organization that supports and advocates for educators in the fields of technology, engineering, and design education in New Jersey. It provides resources, professional development opportunities, and networking for teachers to enhance their instructional practices and promote the integration of technology and engineering principles in K-12 education. The NJTEEA aims to improve student engagement and prepare them for future careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

New Jersey Association for Educational Technology (NJAET) The New Jersey Association for Educational Technology is a professional organization that focuses on supporting the integration of technology in education across New Jersey. It provides educators with resources, professional development opportunities, and a platform for collaboration to enhance teaching and learning through technology. NJAET aims to promote the effective use of technology to improve student outcomes and help educators stay current with emerging technological trends in education.

EdCamp NJ Edcamp NJ is an unconference-style event for educators in New Jersey that focuses on professional development through participant-driven sessions. It allows teachers, administrators, and other education professionals to collaborate, share ideas, and discuss current trends in education in an informal, interactive setting. The goal of Edcamp NJ is to foster a community of learning, where educators can connect and learn from one another in a way that is personalized and responsive to their needs.

NJ Equipment Lending Library (Advancing Opportunities) The Lending Library at Advancing Opportunities offers adaptive equipment, communication devices, and other assistive tools to loan, enabling users to try out different technologies before making a purchase. This service helps individuals find the most suitable technology to enhance their independence, learning, and daily activities.

National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction (NCAEDMI)   The National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction is an initiative that supports the development, implementation, and use of accessible digital learning materials and instructional practices for students with disabilities. The center provides resources, guidance, and training to educators, administrators, and organizations to ensure that digital content, including textbooks, software, and online resources, is accessible to all students, particularly those with visual, auditory, or other disabilities. The goal is to promote inclusive education by helping schools adopt accessible technologies and instructional strategies that ensure equal learning opportunities for students with disabilities.

Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs is a national nonprofit organization that supports and advocates for state and territory programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. These programs aim to increase access to assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, helping them enhance their independence and participation in education, employment, and daily activities. ATAP works to strengthen these programs, promote best practices, and provide a network for collaboration and sharing of resources to improve the quality of assistive technology services across the United States.

Rehabilitation Engineering and AT Society of North America (RESNA) The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering. RESNA provides resources, education, and certification for professionals who work with individuals with disabilities, including engineers, therapists, educators, and other practitioners. The organization promotes the use of technology to enhance the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities, while also advocating for policies that improve access to assistive technology. RESNA is well-known for its role in setting standards and offering certifications such as the ATP (Assistive Technology Professional).

Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)  The Assistive Technology Industry Association is a leading organization that represents the global assistive technology (AT) industry. ATIA provides resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities for manufacturers, service providers, and professionals in the AT field. The organization also hosts conferences, offers certifications, and works to raise awareness about the importance of accessible technology in education, employment, and daily life for individuals with disabilities.

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT)  QIAT is a set of guidelines and best practices designed to ensure that assistive technology (AT) is used effectively to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. QIAT provides a framework for evaluating the quality of AT services, focusing on areas such as assessment, implementation, training, and ongoing support. The goal of QIAT is to promote high-quality, student-centered AT services that enable individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence and success in education and other life activities.

Described Captioning and Media Program (DCMP) The Described and Captioned Media Program is a service that provides accessible media, including videos and other educational materials, to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision. The program offers free access to a large library of described and captioned videos, which help make visual content more accessible to students and educators with sensory impairments. DCMP aims to enhance learning opportunities by providing materials that are accessible to all students, regardless of their abilities. It is a valuable resource for both educational institutions and individuals seeking accessible media content.

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) The Center for Applied Special Technology is a nonprofit organization that focuses on expanding educational opportunities for all students through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the use of technology. CAST develops and promotes innovative educational tools, strategies, and resources designed to accommodate the diverse learning needs of students, including those with disabilities. The organization conducts research, provides training, and offers resources to educators to support inclusive teaching practices and ensure that all students can access, participate in, and thrive in learning environments.

American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is a professional organization that represents speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States. ASHA’s mission is to promote the study, practice, and advancement of communication sciences and disorders, and it works to ensure high standards of practice in these fields. The organization provides certification, continuing education, advocacy, and resources for professionals, while also focusing on public awareness about speech, language, and hearing disorders and the importance of early detection and treatment.

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international organization that develops standards for the World Wide Web. The W3C’s mission is to ensure the web is accessible, secure, and interoperable for all users. They have created the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to provide a framework for making web content accessible to people with disabilities, encompassing principles like perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

Understanding Document from the W3C The Understanding Document from the W3C provides detailed explanations and guidance for implementing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) helping developers understand the intent and benefits of each guidelines and success criterion.

Open Educational Resources (OER) Open Educational Resources are freely available, openly licensed materials used for teaching, learning, assessment, and research, allowing for no-cost access, reuse, adaption and distribution.