Digital Content Resources - Special Education

These resources have not been examined for compliance with the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)  and Education Law 2-d, therefore schools that choose to utilize any of these resources must ensure compliance where applicable. For more information on Education Law 2-d and data privacy and security in general  please refer to NYSED’s Data Privacy and Security webpage.     

The sites below are provided as options and sources for ideas and inspiration only. The list is also not exhaustive; there are many quality resources and learning activities available online.

1. Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)(link is external)
   • CAST is a nonprofit education research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Users have access to free learning tools across content areas that utilize the principles of UDL, and educators can sign up to design and share accessible learning tools designed to support all learners.
2. National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)(link is external)
   • The center provides resources and technical assistance regarding AEM and information and considerations related to making print and tech-based material usable to the greatest range of learner variability and in accordance with the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS). 
3. Bookshare(link is external)
   • Ebook library with the most extensive collection of accessible ebooks in the world. Nearly 10,000 public domain books that anyone, including non-members, can read are offered. For membership, qualified students must be confirmed as having a print disability that severely inhibits or prevents reading traditional print materials.
4. Learning Ally(link is external)
   • A multi-sensory reading accommodation that levels the playing field for students who struggle to read due to a reading deficit. Qualified students must be confirmed as having a reading deficit to access audiobooks.
5. NYSED Webpage on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
   • Provides information on accessing AIM throughout the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC), as requested by a school district.
6. Described and Captioned Media Program (DMCP)(link is external)
   • ​​(link is external)Accessible, educational videos across content areas for students who are deaf or blind in grades K through 12.  Videos can be searched by state standards, subject, and grade, and many are available without membership.  Families and school personnel with at least one student who is deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind qualify for a free, full membership.
7. American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)(link is external)
   • ​​(link is external)Resources are available to assist educators of deaf children in the classroom and help empower families in understanding the possibilities for their children’s futures.  Many resources, including a collection of free videos of children’s stories in ASL for children aged 1 to 8 years, are available for free.
8. Practical Access Podcast(link is external)
   • ​​(link is external)A set of podcasts created to help teachers with the shift to online learning for students with disabilities.  Drs. Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines, professors at the University of Central Florida in the College of Community Innovation and Education, provide practical knowledge using fast, flexible thinking about “real life” problems.
9. Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM)(link is external)
   • (link is external)Supporting Individuals with Autism through Difficult Times, includes seven support strategies designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism during periods of uncertainty. The toolkit includes a downloadable packet with resources developed for parents/caregivers to use quickly and easily with their children with autism spectrum disorders to support understanding, communication, coping and calming, and maintaining and developing routines.
10. Understood(link is external)
    • Provides families, educators, and young adults with information, resources, strategies and tips regarding a variety of disability-related issues. Evidence-based, easy-to-use resources are available for use by general and special education teachers, service providers and school leaders to develop their approaches to teaching all students, including those who learn and think differently.
11. National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII)(link is external)
    • NCII is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and is part of OSEP's Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network (TA&D). An array of tools and resources are provided to support implementation of intensive intervention in reading, mathematics, and behavior for students with severe and persistent learning and/or behavioral needs. Resources include online learning modules for professional development purposes, sample lessons and strategies, data collection tools and a resource library.
12. High-Leverage Practices in Special Education(link is external)
    • In partnership with the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability and Reform (CEEDAR)(link is external), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)(link is external) has developed and published a set of High Leverage Practices (HLPs) for special educators and teacher candidates.