Adaptive Keyboard: commercial keyboards that have been modified to allow a user with special needs accessibility to their computer system. Modifications could include: bright colored keyboard, easy-to-read labels, QWERTY or ABC layouts, and customized overlays.

Cards: card pages are created from the software program HyperStudio and can contain photos, drawings, written text, animation, sounds, movies, and/or recorded voices.

Drawmation: allows the user to replay each brush stroke made on a page using the program BuildAbility.

DVD: digital video disc, an optical disk using such a format and containing especially a video recording (as a movie) or computer data

Interfaced: using a device (e.g. Switch Interface Pro) that allows the user to connect a switch or adaptive keyboard to the computer for accessibility.

Mac OS: computer operating system, or “OS”.

Stacks: a series of HyperStudio cards are combined and referred to as a stack.

Switch Accessibility: an interface to the computer that allow switch accessibility for the user.

Project ELIPSS: Emergent Literacy Instructional Program and Support Services

NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children

NCREL: North Central regional Educational Laboratory

Portfolio: is a collection of work that may include writing samples, artwork, computer products, digital pictures and a list of books read.

Anecdotal notes: short account of an interesting or humorous incident.

Checklist: commercial or produced by teachers is a list of behaviors that make up a certain type of performance. If a particular behavior is present when an individual is observed, a check is placed next to that behavior.

Assistive Technology: Any item, piece of equipment, or product, whether acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Early Intervention: refers to services and supports for children under the age of 3 years.

IEP a.k.a. “Individualized Education Program”: a written plan for services for children ages 3-21 with disabilities under IDEA. If allowed under state and local policy, children 3-5 may have an IFSP instead of an IEP with informed parental consent.

IFSP a.k.a. “Individualized Family Services Plan”: a written plan for services for birth through 2-year olds with disabilities under IDEA. If allowed under state and local policy, children 3-5 may have an IFSP instead of an IEP with informed parental concent.

ITLC Online --  -- http://www.wiu.edu/itlc/

Copyright 2005. All Rights Reserved. Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education at Western Illinois University.