Foreign Language
Foreign Language Instruction
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages – http://www.actfl.org
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is the only national organization dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction. ACTFL is an individual membership organization of more than 9,000 foreign language educators and administrators from elementary through graduate education, as well as government and industry.
Modern Language Association – http://www.mla.org
Founded in 1883, the Modern Language Association of America provides opportunities for its members to share their scholarly findings and teaching experiences with colleagues and to discuss trends in academia.
Association of Departments of Foreign Languages – http://www.adfl.org
The ADFL is a central resource for the language and literature community in the United States and Canada. ADFL’s broad membership base of departments in diverse languages and every type and size of postsecondary institution makes it an ideal platform for the examination and articulation of issues confronting the field and the development of field-wide policy.
The Foreign Language Teaching Forum – http://web.cortland.edu/flteach/
A collection of online target language radio links, movies, news links, clipart, dictionaries, online FL journals, testing formats and foreign language instructional sites and organizations. All of these resources can assist in creating inclusive classroom environments that offer visual and hearing supports.
Foreign Language and Disabilities
Mobility International Foreign Languages and Students with Disabilities – http://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/learning-disability-accommodations This tip sheet gives suggestions about access to foreign language for students with all types of disabilities.
Disabilities
Federal Law
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights – http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transitionguide.html
This site has information about what is required for accommodating students and discusses other information that may help instructors.
Pacer Center – http://www.pacer.org
Contains information about the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) and post-secondary accommodations including a Q&A sheet on postsecondary accommodations (http://www.pacer.org/publications/adaqa/504.asp).
General Disability Resources
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) – www.nichcy.org
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities offers resources for children with disabilities as well answers to general disability questions and concerns for people of all ages.
The Disability Resource Network of BC – http://www.drnbc.org/
This site focuses on students in British Columbia but offers clear, general information about various disabilities.
Types of Disabilities
Attention Deficit Disorder
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – www.chadd.org
This website provides general information for professionals, students, and families. It also includes news updates, resources, and training opportunities related to ADHD.
Autism Spectrum
Asperger’s Syndrome Education Network – http://www.aspennj.org/
Asperger’s Syndrome Education Network provides general information about high functioning autism.
Autism Society of America – http://www.autism-society.org/
This informational site provides general information about Autism and links to other Autism resources.
Hearing
PEPNet – http://www.pepnet.org/about-us
PEPNet provides resources, expertise, and technical assistance at the national, regional, and state levels to enhance educational opportunities for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Learning Disabilities
LD online – http://www.ldonline.org/
LD online presents information about learning disabilities and offers a compilation of resources from other organizations.
Learning Disabilities Association of America – http://www.ldanatl.org/
Learning Disabilities Association of America has general information and resources about LD.
Physical
Mobility International – www.miusa.org
This website has general information about physical impairments, mobility issues that may arise, and accommodation strategies. The article below discusses physical disabilities and travelling abroad. http://www.miusa.org/plan
The U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education – http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/disphysical.html
The U.S. Department of Education provides a resource hub for accommodating students with physical impairments. This site offers additional links and legal information.
Psychological
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – www.nami.org
This national lobbying group’s site contains legal and other legislative information, help topics, blogs, and general disability information.
Speech and Language
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – www.asha.org
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 140,000 members and affiliates. This site lists signs, symptoms, and solutions for individuals with speech and language disabilities.
Visual Impairments
The American Foundation for the Blind – www.afb.org
American Foundation for the Blind informs readers about technology, statistics and types of visual impairments.