Childcare, Learning and Education Tools Resources
Remote Learning for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recognizes the difficulties at-home instruction and remote learning pose for teachers as well as the parents/guardians of students who are blind or visually impaired. For some, this situation is complicated by the lack of reliable internet access and/or the unavailability of technology in the home.
ISBE provides the Remote Learning for Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired guide to provide suggestions and ideas related to remote learning opportunities for students who are blind or visually impaired, including ideas that do not depend on technology. It also includes resources for additional information related to services, programming and information intended to enhance learning opportunities and the functional development of students who are blind or visually impaired.
Remote Learning for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind
This document from the Illinois State Board of Education provides suggestions and ideas related to remote learning opportunities for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) or deafblind (DB), including ideas that do not depend on technology. It also provides resources for additional information related to services, programming and information intended to enhance learning opportunities and the functional development of students who are DHH or DB.
The document is available at www.isbe.net/Documents/DHH-Ideas-During-Pandemic.pdf.
Remote Learning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project at Illinois State University has compiled autism-specific resources for individuals with ASD and their families as they navigate remote learning. The Remote Learning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder guide provides ideas and support for families as they develop new routines within their homes.
Remote Learning for Students with Significant Intellectual or Multiple Disabilities
The Illinois State Board of Education provides this resource guide to give some suggestions and ideas related to remote learning opportunities for students who have intellectual or multiple disabilities, including ideas that do not depend on technology. The guide also provides resources for additional information related to services, programming and information intended to enhance learning opportunities and the functional development of students who have intellectual or multiple disabilities.
Remote Learning Resources for Children with Disabilities
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities compiled helpful remote learning resources for a variety of disabilities and special healthcare needs.
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Resources and Strategies to Support Children with Disabilities and Their Families During COVID-19
COVID-19 has deeply impacted early childhood programs, children and families, and their communities.
This resource list, jointly created by the Office of Special Education Programs, the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, the Office of Head Start and the OHS TA National Centers, may be helpful when seeking guidance and resources to help leaders, services providers, teachers, support staff, children and families during reopening and continuity of services.
Resources for Parents During Extended School Closures
A handout from the Learning Technology Center of Illinois that includes helpful resources by subject.
RespectAbility’s Virtual Education & Students With Disabilities Resource Guide
RespectAbility’s Virtual Education & Students with Disabilities Resource Guide offers a student with a disability or an adult (parent, guardian, teacher or otherwise) who is championing success for a student with a disability a wide range of information for supporting student success in the time of COVID-19 and beyond.
The toolkit includes virtual resource guides, homeschool programs, information on legal rights, special education resources, mental health resources and more.
Return to School for Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago put together the “Return to School for Youth with Special Healthcare Needs: Key Questions and Considerations for Families” document to help families decide how their child will participate in their education during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes questions to discuss with your child’s doctor and questions to discuss with your child’s school.

