A select guide

to online information on

Vision and Hearing Loss

for RIDBC parents

RIDBC Renwick Centre

Rydge Family Library

2014

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Introduction

There are thousands of sensory impairment related sites on the Internet. This is a select list to help parents quickly access quality information without having to spend hours filtering websites. The collection is divided into ten broad categories:

1. General child health and development p 4 2. General disabilities p 5 3. Blindness and vision impairment p 6 4. Deafness and hearing impairment p 8 5. Specific and multiple disabilities p 11 6. Organisations p 12 7. Alternative formats and Braille p 17 8. Auslan p 18 9. Government sites p 19 10. Online newsletters and journals p 20 11. Chat rooms and discussion forums p 21 12. Assistive / adaptive technology p 22

All care has been taken to ensure that the links below are current at the time of printing. An electronic version of this document may be requested from renwick.library@ridbc.org.au

RIDBC Renwick Centre Rydge Family Library http://www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/library-services highly specialized library collection on education and sensory impairment - free access to parents with a child in an RIDBC program Online Catalogue http://library.newcastle.edu.au/

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General health and child development

Child & Family WebGuide http://www.cfw.tufts.edu/ A directory, maintained by Tufts University, of sites containing child development research and practical advice. Healthdirect http://www.healthdirect.gov.au Healthdirect provides easy access to trusted, quality health information and advice online and over the phone. KidsHealth (USA) http://kidshealth.org/parent/ website for children's health and development. Ongoing, scheduled medical reviews ensure that the information is as up-to-date as possible. My Child http://www.mychild.gov.au/sites/mychild Australia's online child care portal.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed US National Library of Medicine's search service that provides free access to over 10 million citations in MEDLINE. Raising Children Network : the Australian parenting website http://raisingchildren.net.au/ has a special needs section

Zero to Three (USA) http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/ national, nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development.

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General disabilities information

Centre for Genetics Education http://www.genetics.edu.au/ NSW state-wide education service dedicated to preparing health professionals with the skills and knowledge to manage the impact of genetic and genomic technologies on their practice.

Children’s Disability Information http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/ Articles and resources from a parent perspective. Disability Services Australia (DSA) http://www.dsa.org.au respected not-for-profit organisation that provides essential community support, employment and training services to enhance the lives of more than 2,000 people with a disability each year. Genetics Home Reference http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/ Genetics Home Reference provides consumer-friendly information about the effects of genetic variations on human health. Have Wheelchair Will Travel http://havewheelchairwilltravel.net/about-this-website/ Australian family with a disabled child share travel and activities research, both local and overseas. LD Online http://www.ldonline.org/ seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD. NORD’s Rare Disease Database http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information reports in patient-friendly language on more than 1,200 rare diseases.

Our Kids http://www.our-kids.org/ consists of over 700 people representing children of varying diagnosis; everything from indefinite developmental delays and sensory integration problems, to cerebral palsy, to rare genetic disorders.

Premature Baby – Premature Child http://www.prematurity.org/US support website for and by parents of premature special needs children. The Sibling Support Project - Resources http://www.siblingsaustralia.org.au/ Siblings Australia is a unique national organisation committed to improving the support available for siblings of children and adults with chronic conditions including disability, chronic illness and mental health issues.

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Blindness and vision impairment

Action For Blind People (UK) https://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/resources/about-sight-loss/eye-conditions/ information on common eye conditions. Albinism Fellowship Of Australia http://albinismaustralia.org/ support, education and fellowship to those with albinism, parents of children with albinism as well as their families and friends. American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus http://www.aapos.org/ The organization's goals are to advance the quality of children's eye care, support the training of pediatric ophthalmologists, support research activities in pediatric ophthalmology, and advance the care of adults with strabismus. Blind Childrens Center (USA) http://www.blindchildrenscenter.org/diag.html list of commonly encountered eye conditions. Blind Children UK http://www.blindchildrenuk.org UK charity for children and young people with sight loss, site has downloadable fact sheets. Blindness Resource Center http://www.nyise.org/blind.htm#index maintained by The New York Institute for Special Education(NYISE), a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian educational facility which provides quality programs for children who are blind or visually disabled, emotionally and learning disabled.

Centre for Eye Research Australia

http://www.cera.org.au affiliated with the University of Melbourne, provides eye

health information, resources and reports. Eye Resources on the Internet http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/eye-health/ maintained by Trish Duffel at the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. FamilyConnect http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.aspx tips and support from other parents of children who are blind or visually impaired. Get Eye Smart http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/index.cfminformation from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

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Little Four Eyes : babies, toddlers and young kids in glasses http://littlefoureyes.com/A community for family and friends of little ones in glasses, contacts, and eye patches. A place to share experiences, tips, tricks, and pictures. The Low Vision Gateway (USA) http://www.lowvision.org/ US site with resources for vision loss, vision-impairment, blindness, low vision aids and low vision rehabilitation services.

Paths to Literacy for students who are blind or visually impaired (USA) http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/about-site literacy experiences for children who are blind or visually impaired.

Perkins School for the Blind (USA) http://www.perkins.org/ provides education and services for children and adults around the world who are blind, deafblind or visually impaired. Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) http://www.rnib.org.uk/ A resource-rich, reliable site by UK organization supporting blind and partially sighted people. Scottish Sensory Center http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/home.html educational, research and development activities for children and young people with a sensory impairment

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (USA) http://www.tsbvi.edu range of online resources for parents and teachers. Vision Disorders in Children http://www.children-special-needs.org/ Vision Impairments page hosted by Optometrists Network VI Family Network vifamilynetwork.org.au links to Australian low vision resources, newsletters from partner organisations and events.

Vision Australia http://www.visionaustralia.org/living-with-low-vision/children%27s-services provides support and resources that enable children who are blind, or have low vision and their families. Vision Loss : resources for vision impairment http://www.visionloss.com.au/ resources from NSW/ACT GUIDE DOGS Wonder Baby http://www.wonderbaby.org/ a project funded by Perkins School for the Blind, dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments as well as children with multiple disabilities.

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Deafness and hearing impairment Alexander Graham Bell Association http://listeningandspokenlanguage.org/ one of the world's largest information centres on hearing loss and the auditory approach. Audiology Net http://www.audiologynet.com/An audiology and hearing healthcare web site dedicated to providing links in audiology for patients, family members, students, and healthcare providers. Aussie Deaf Kids http://www.aussiedeafkids.org.au began as an online discussion group for parents of hard of hearing and deaf children living in Australia. It aims to provide relevant and easy-to-access information, relevant to each stage of your child's life.

Auslan Signbank http://www.auslan.org.au/ Auslan Signbank is a language resources site for Auslan (Australian Sign Language). Australian Hearing Hub http://hearinghub.edu.au unites researchers, educators, clinicians and innovators with expertise in audiology, speech pathology, cognitive and language sciences, psychology, nanofabrication and engineering sciences. Better Hearing Institute (USA) http://www.betterhearing.org/hearingpedia/hearing-loss-resources research and hearing health education with the goal of helping people with hearing loss benefit from proper treatment. Cochlear Rehabilitation resources http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/au/home/support/rehabilitation-resources wide range of information and activities designed to help recipients develop or re-learn listening and language skills.

My child has hearing loss http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/au/home/understand/my-child-has-hl Learn more about the different types of hearing loss, how each can affect your child and how they can be treated.

Cochlear Implants information from NIDCD(USA) http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/coch.aspx National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders factsheet Learn About Cochlear Implants http://www.scic.org.au/our-clinic/learn-about-cochlear-implants/ Cochlear implants provide an important option for children and adults with significant hearing loss who gain little or no benefit from hearing aids.

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Deaf Australia http://deafaustralia.org.au/ Australian peak body managed by Deaf people representing Deaf people and their communities. Deaf Sports Australia http://www.deafsports.org.au/ Organisation focussed on facilitating the access of deaf and hard of hearing people to sporting opportunities available in Australia. Fact sheets provide information about deaf sport and list a number of simple tips to remember and steps you can take to help make your sporting club inclusive. Deaf Society of NSW http://deafsocietynsw.org.au/ leading provider of specialist services for Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families in New South Wales. Educating Deaf Children http://www.rit.edu/ntid/educatingdeafchildren/ Rochester Institute of Technology’s international experts respond to questions from parents and professionals. Very even-handed and thorough, but accessible. Educational Audiology Association

http://www.edaud.org an international organization of audiologists and related professionals who deliver a full spectrum of hearing services to all children, particularly those in educational settings.

Especially for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss http://www.medel.com/for-parents/ MED-EL provides teachers, speech therapists, rehabilitation professionals and parents with materials written by specialists to help your child make the most out of his or her hearing implant. First Voice http://www.firstvoice.org.au alliance established to lead and advocate for world-class early intervention services for children who are deaf or hearing impaired. Gallaudet University - National Deaf Education Center (USA) http://www.gallaudet.edu/Clerc_Center.html At the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, we share information and provide resources related to the development and education of deaf and hard of hearing children.

Hear it (USA) http://www.hear-it.org/medical/Children-and-hearing-loss-1On these pages you will find information about the symptoms of hearing loss in children, how to test and treat hearing loss and how to counsel families with hearing-impaired children.

Hearing, Ear Infections, and Deafness (USA) http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/Pages/Default.aspx National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders factsheets

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Hearing Impairment Kit http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/Pages/hearingkit.aspx an information kit for families of a child with hearing loss

The Hearing Education and Research Network (HEARnet) http://www.hearnet.org.au/early-intervention/ not-for-profit website created by the HEARing CRC for health professionals, researchers and anyone interested in better hearing. Hearing Loss (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Hearing-Loss/ information on the causes and effects of hearing loss in both children and adults. InfoToGo – Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center (USA) http://www.gallaudet.edu/x17217.xml one of six national clearinghouses on disability-related issues from, USA.

Journey into the World of Hearing (USA) http://www.cochlea.org/en information about all aspects of hearing and its main pathologies, deafness and tinnitus.

Listen Hear! http://www.hearingcrc.org/communications/publications/corporate/listen-hear report on economic impact of hearing loss Powerhouse Museum pages about the history of the cochlear implant http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/cochlear/ HSC level content. Research and development, ethical and social issues. Safe http://www.safedeafkids.org.au/safety and awareness group work programme aimed at deaf children aged seven and over. Success for Kids with Hearing Loss (USA) http://successforkidswithhearingloss.com/ information about the learning and social issues of children with hearing loss Victorian Deaf Education Institute (VDEI) http://www.deafeducation.vic.edu.au committed to improving educational outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing children and young people VL2 (Visual Language and Visual Learning) Parent Information Package: http://vl2parentspackage.org/ A great resource on visual (sign language) Deafness and hearing loss WHO factsheet http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs300/en/

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Specific and multiple disabilities

CHARGE Information Pack http://www.sense.org.uk/content/charge-information-pack-practitioners 28 in-depth factsheets about the many aspects of living with CHARGE syndrome. CHARGE Syndrome Foundation (USA) http://chargesyndrome.org/index.asp Who, what, when, where, why...some of the most commonly asked questions about CHARGE Syndrome Down Syndrome Australia http://www.downsyndrome.org.au/ support, information and resources for people with Down syndrome and their families across the country Dr Jan Van Dijk : Welcome to the World of Deafblindness http://www.drjanvandijk.org/ Assessing and educating people with multiple sensory impairments, including deafblindness. National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (USA) http://www.nationaldb.org/deaf-blindness in children. Includes databases, bibliographies and other online resources.

Innovations – Working with Children Who Have Multiple Disabilities (USA) http://www.csun.edu/~hfedu009/innovations/index.html resources for working with infants who have multiple disabilities.

Interveners.org http://intervener.org/ An intervener provides a bridge to the world for the student who is deafblind. Multi-sensory impairment and Down syndrome (UK) http://www.sense.org.uk/content/multi-sensory-impairment-and-down-syndrome multi-sensory impairment (MSI) - impairments of both sight and hearing.

National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) (USA) http://nfadb.org/ national non-profit organization serving the deaf-blind community. UsherLife http://usherlife.co.uk/dedicated website for people who have Usher syndrome. Usher Syndrome Coalition http://www.usher-syndrome.org/index.cfm/page/About-the-Coalition/pid/10246 provides information and support to individuals and families affected by Usher What is Usher Syndrome? (USA) http://www.unr.edu/ndsip/secpagesEnglish/usher/usher.html information from the Nevada Dual Sensory Impairment Project

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Organisations

Able Australia http://www.ableaustralia.org.au/ non-profit organisation that provides services to people living with multiple disabilities including deafblindness. American Foundation for the Blind http://www.afb.org/ information on blindness; low vision and related issues; newsletters

American Society for Deaf Children http://deafchildren.org Resources for Families with Deaf Children Association for Children with a Disability http://www.acd.org.au/ ACD works to improve the lives of children with a disability and their families.

Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired http://aerbvi.org/ The mission of AER is to support professionals who provide education and rehabilitation services to people with visual impairments.

Aussie Deaf Kids http://www.aussiedeafkids.org.au/ aims to empower parents raising a child with hearing loss through online support, information and advocacy.

Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register http://www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/australian-childhood-vision-impairment-register-acvir research project to develop and maintain an Australia wide record of children with vision impairment.

Australian Disability Peaks and Advocacy Directory http://www.pwd.org.au/library/australian-advocacy-directory.html list of disability agencies in Australia

Australian Hearing http://www.hearing.com.au/ Australian Hearing is the nation’s leading hearing specialist and largest provider of Government funded hearing services. AWCH - Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare http://www.awch.org.au/ AWCH is a national organisation advocating for the needs of children, young people and families within the health care system in Australia. Blind Babies Foundation (USA) http://www.blindbabies.org Nonprofit organisation in California. Blind Babies Foundation has been providing critical early intervention and education services to infants and preschoolers who are blind or visually impaired for 60 years.

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Blind Citizens Australia http://www.bca.org.au/united voice of Australians who are blind or vision impaired, whose mission is to achieve equity and equality by our empowerment, by promoting positive community attitudes, and by striving for high quality and accessible services which meet our needs. Blind Foundation (NZ) http://blindfoundation.org.nz/ The Blind Foundation is New Zealand's main provider of sight loss habilitation and rehabilitation services to over 11,500 New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision. Can:Do 4Kids http://www.cando4kids.com.au/ have been providing a helping hand for the eyes and ears of South Australian children who are blind/vision impaired or deaf/hearing impaired since 1874. Children with Disability Australia (CDA) http://www.cda.org.au/ national peak body which represents children and young people (aged 0-25) with disability. CDA is a not for profit, community based organisation. Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) http://www.cec.sped.org international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. Deaf Aotearoa http://www.deaf.org.nz/about-us New Zealand Deaf organization Deafblind International (DbI) http://www.deafblindinternational.org/ is the world association promoting services for people who are deafblind. Deaf Children Australia (DCA) http://www.deafchildrenaustralia.org.au/ established formally in 1862 to support the needs of families raising children who are deaf. DCA is one of Australia’s longest serving charities and our organisation continues to build upon our reputation for quality services and innovation. Deaf Society of New South Wales http://deafsocietynsw.org.au/ specialist services for Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families in New South Wales as well as deaf people with additional needs. The Ear Foundation http://www.earfoundation.org.uk/ bridging the gap between clinic-based services, where today's exciting hearing technologies

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European Blind Union http://www.euroblind.org/about-ebu/ The voice of blind and partially sighted people in Europe. The Forsight Foundation http://www.forsightfoundation.org.au/ Our purpose is to provide quality accommodation support services and facilitate training and employment for adults who are deaf and blind with additional disabilities, enhancing and enriching their lives. Guide Dogs http://www.guidedogs.com.au/ organization with the goal of enhancing the independence and safe mobility of people who are blind or vision impaired. Hands & Voices (USA) http://www.handsandvoices.org/ is a non-profit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. HOPE http://hopepubl.com/ materials for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, visually impaired, deaf-blind, multi-disabled sensory impaired, and for children with any special needs

International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment http://icevi.org/ global association promoting equal access to appropriate education for all students with vision impairment

Junior Blind (USA) http://www.juniorblind.orgleading non-profit organization helps children and adults who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled achieve independence.

Lighthouse International http://www.lighthouse.org/Lighthouse International is dedicated to fighting vision loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment.

Listening and Spoken language Knowledge Centre (USA) http://listeningandspokenlanguage.org/ (Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) - one of the world's largest information centres on hearing loss and the auditory approach.

National Centre on Deaf-blindness (USA) https://nationaldb.org/index.php As a national technical assistance center funded by the federal Department of Education, NCDB works to improve the quality of life for children who are deaf-blind and their families.

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National Federation of the Blind (USA) https://nfb.org/about-the-nfb The National Federation of the Blind is the largest organization of blind and low-vision people in the United States

Parents of Deaf Children http://www.podc.org.au/ To empower parents in NSW to support their deaf/hearing-impaired children in reaching their full potential through information, support networks and representation. Parents of Visually Impaired (PVI) http://www.pvi.org.nz/ New Zealand parent support group People with Disability Australia Incorporated (PWDA) http://www.pwd.org.au/ national disability rights and advocacy organisation. Our primary membership is made up of people with disability and organisations primarily constituted by people with disability. Perkins School for the Blind http://www.perkins.org/ Perkins School for the Blind provides education and services for children and adults around the world who are blind, deafblind or visually impaired. Prevent Blindness America http://www.preventblindness.org/eye-reports-research-studies aims to study the impact of vision problems and find public health solutions that can improve quality of life. Retina Australia http://www.retinaaustralia.com.au Retina Australia is committed to raising funds for research into the detection, prevention, treatment and cure of inherited retinal dystrophies. RIDBC http://www.ridbc.org.au high quality educational services to children who have significant hearing and/or vision impairment, including children who have additional disabilities. Royal National Institute for the Blind http://www.rnib.org.uk/ UK organization supporting blind and partially sighted people. SCOPE http://www.scope.org.uk/ National disability organisation in the UK

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Scottish Sensory Centre http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/ The Scottish Sensory Centre promotes and supports new developments and effective practices in the education of children and young people with sensory impairments. Sense http://www.sense.org.uk/ UK charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind Senses Australia http://www.senses.org.au/ not for profit organisation providing disability support services to people of all ages throughout Western Australia. Senses Australia’s unique service specialty is the provision of services to people who are deafblind. The Shepherd Centre http://www.shepherdcentre.org.au/ founded in 1970 by Dr Bruce Shepherd AM and his late wife Annette and was the first Early Intervention agency in Australia to teach Auditory-Oral Therapy to hearing-impaired children. South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI) http://www.spevi.net/spevi/about.php education and support of children and young people who are blind or have low vision within the South Pacific region

Texas School for the Blind & Visual Impaired http://www.tsbvi.edu educational services for blind and visually impaired students with a good list of parent links.

Vision Australia http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/ supporting people who are blind or have low vision to live the life they choose.

World Blind Union (WBU) http://www.worldblindunion.org/English/Pages/default.aspx global organization representing the estimated 285 million people worldwide who are blind or partially sighted. World Federation of the Deaf http://wfdeaf.org/ international non-governmental organisation representing approximately 70 million Deaf people worldwide.

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Alternative formats and Braille Australian Braille Authority http://brailleaustralia.org/ oversees the development and maintenance of Braille codes and specifications used in Australia, acts as a braille accreditation body, and promotes braille as the primary literacy medium for people who are blind, deafblind, or have severe vision impairment. DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) http://www.daisy.org/ global consortium of organizations committed to a common vision and mission, which pools and coordinates resources to deliver global change. We work towards creating the best way to read and publish. Media Access Australia http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/ Australia’s only independent not-for-profit organisation devoted to increasing access to media for people with a disability. RIDBC Louis Braille Bicentenary http://www.ridbcrenwickcentre.com/louisbraille/ An overview of the history of braille and an introduction to the braille code

Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities http://printdisability.org/ Facilitates the production and use of quality alternative formats for people with print disabilities. UEB Online http://www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/online-learning/ueb-online UEB Online is a training program for sighted people to learn Unified English Braille (UEB).

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Auslan Auslan Shop http://www.auslanshop.com.au/ These materials are very useful for Schools, TAFE, private training institutions, Universities, Libraries, community organisations, interpreters, Auslan students and for parents who wish to learn more about the Australian Sign Language.

Auslan Signbank http://www.auslan.org.au/ language resources site for Auslan (Australian Sign Language). Auslan is the language of the deaf community in Australia. Auslan Courses http://deafsocietynsw.org.au/courses/page/our_auslan_courses pathways to learning Auslan. Auslan Tutor http://www.ridbc.org.au/ridbc-auslan-tutor portable video-based Australian Sign Language (Auslan) teaching resource developed specifically for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

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Government sites

National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service (NABS) http://www.nabs.org.au/ funded by the Australian Government to provide interpreters FREE of charge to people who use sign language to communicate and would like to book an interpreter for private health care appointments. National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) http://www.nal.gov.au/index.shtml research division of Australian Hearing, a Statutory Authority under the Commonwealth Department of Human Services. National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) http://www.ndis.gov.au/ community linking and individualised support for people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers. New National Standards for Disability Services http://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/standards-and-quality-assurance/new-national-standards-for-disability-services revised National Standards for Disability Services. NICAN http://www.nican.com.au/ information on recreation, tourism, sport and the arts for people with disAbilities.

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Online newsletters and journals

Rydge Family Library Journal Collection http://www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/library-services/online-journal Please contact Renwick.library@ridbc.org.au for login usernames and passwords. Access World http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp Technology News for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired from the American Foundation for the Blind Braille Monitor

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm14/bm1408/bm1408tc.htm National Federation of the Blind (U.S.) publication addressing the many issues and concerns of the blind.

DOTS for Braille Literacy

http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/braille/dots-for-braille-literacy/123 information about new braille products, strategies for teaching, and resources for teachers, parents, family members, and anyone interested in braille literacy. Exceptional Parent http://www.eparent.com/ American national publication. Articles, links, and information for parents of special needs children. Hearing Our Way http://www.hearingourway.com/ magazine for kids and teens with hearing loss

The International Journal of Orientation & Mobility (IJOM) http://www.ijorientationandmobility.com/ peer-reviewed journal that explores issues and contributes new knowledge to the field of Orientation & Mobility (O&M)

Link disability magazine http://linkonline.com.au/ information, advice and insights into life with a disability. NSW Deaf Herald http://us1.campaignarchive2.com/?u=dae152575d0376db93bdfa65f&id=b35305cda4&e=a58482132a in English and Auslan. Odyssey http://www.gallaudet.edu/Clerc_Center/Information_and_Resources/Products_and_Publications/Odyssey.html articles about a wide range of issues important to the families of deaf and hard of hearing children and to those involved in deaf education.

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Chat rooms and discussion forums

National Public Website on Assistive Technology (USA) http://assistivetech.net/webresources/discussion_groups.php A list of groups for assistive technology and disability. Aussie Deaf Kids and Phidcoz (Parents of Hearing Impaired and Deaf Children in Australia) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phidcoz/a forum for Australian parents to discuss issues, ideas and concerns about any aspect of their deaf or hearing impaired child's life and receive feedback, advice or support from other parents.

FamilyConnect http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.aspx videos, personal stories, events, news, and an online community that can offer tips and support from other parents of children who are blind or visually impaired. LD Online http://www.ldonline.org/ An interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers and children. Includes an online newsletter and bulletin board area for discussions or questions.

Our Kids http://www.our-kids.org/ information for parents of children with various disabilities. Our Kids also contains links to digests of several disability-related listserve groups.

Raising Children Network http://raisingchildren.net.au/forum/ website recognises the benefit that free and open discussion brings to the parenting experience.

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Assistive / adaptive technology

Australian

Access technology for students with vision impairments http://www.svrc.vic.edu.au/AT.shtml Victorian site listing a range of access technology options for people with vision impairments:

Australian Disability Clearing House of Education and Training http://www.adcet.edu.au/ information and resources in areas such as inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies, accommodations and support services.

Royal Society for the Blind http://www.rsb.org.au/not-for-profit organisation providing services to South Australians who have a severe vision impairment.

Vision Australia http://www.visionaustralia.org.au leading provider of blindness and low vision services in Australia, their website provides many links to adaptive technology services.

International

AbilityNet Factsheets http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets Factsheets are written by specialist team of assessors and accessibility consultants and give detailed information on a wide range of assistive technology, services and related organisations. AbleData http://www.abledata.com/objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment. Alliance for Technology Access http://www.ataccess.org/ international network connecting families, consumers, organizations, technology developers, educators, and other professionals to build a future that is accessible to everyone.

National Public Website on Assistive Technology (USA) http://www.assistivetech.net/ information on assistive technologies, adaptive environments and community resources for people with disabilities, their families and service providers. Searchable databases of thousands of products and resources.

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Royal National Institute of Blind People (UK) http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/computersphones/Pages/computers_mobile_phones.aspx key tools for blind and partially sighted people. Sense (UK) http://www.sense.org.uk/content/how-find-fund-and-access-technology UK charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind – list of UK sources

Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (USA) http://kcls.watap.org/ Aids for daily living: tools to help with vision, hearing, mobility, and communication.