Computer Tools Come to Special Education Curricula

##AUTHORSPLIT##<--->

AbleNet and SoftTouch have formed a partnership to deliver computer and literacy tools to students with moderate to severe cognitive and physical disabilities. The partnership is designed to build on two of AbleNet's special ed curricula: Star Reporter and MEville to WEville.

MEville to WEville is an early literacy program designed for elementary school students with disabilities, and
Star Reporter is a curriculum for elementary and secondary students centered around the production of a school or classroom newsletter. The curricula have already been adopted by various districts in the United States, including Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and Philadelphia, according to the company.

SoftTouch is a developer of software tailored specifically for individuals with special needs focused on computer access, choice making, and literacy skills. Through the partnership, SoftTouch will contribute to the development of AbleNet's new literacy software, the result of which will be bundled with AbleNet's curricula.

In a statement released about the partnership, AbleNet said, "The bundled software package will initially include 25 classroom-ready electronic books based on SoftTouch's 'My Own Bookshelf.' This tool not only allows teachers to access pre-produced books or create customized books using photos, movies, text and sound files, including text to speech functionality, it also allow teachers to save the books to an individual student's electronic bookshelf."

Read More:

READ MORE DAILY NEWS

About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at [email protected].

Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • AI-powered individual working calmly on one side and a burnt-out person slumped over a laptop on the other

    AI's Productivity Gains Come at a Cost

    A recent academic study found that as companies adopt AI tools, they're not just streamlining workflows — they're piling on new demands. Researchers determined that "AI technostress" is driving burnout and disrupting personal lives, even as organizations hail productivity gains.

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • blue AI cloud connected to circuit lines, a server stack, and a shield with a padlock icon

    Report: AI Security Controls Lag Behind Adoption of AI Cloud Services

    According to a recent report from cybersecurity firm Wiz, nearly nine out of 10 organizations are already using AI services in the cloud — but fewer than one in seven have implemented AI-specific security controls.

  • lightbulb

    Call for Speakers Now Open for Tech Tactics in Education: Overcoming Roadblocks to Innovation

    The annual virtual conference from the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal will return on Sept. 25, 2025, with a focus on emerging trends in cybersecurity, data privacy, AI implementation, IT leadership, building resilience, and more.