Parent Resources

The Louisiana Accessible Educational Materials programs is a project of the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Special School District. We are available to help you answer technical questions or address the individual needs of students in Louisiana. If you have questions please email: administrator@ssdla-aem.org .

To request a service from Louisiana AEM please complete this form.

The following list consists of online resources that you can provide your learner at home who needs additional support. These tools all offer useful features at no cost for the basic plans.

No matter what technology you have at home there are some ways to make content more accessible such as having text read out loud or just making the font bigger so it is easier to read. Below you will find information on some of these tools for each major operating system.

Chromebooks or Chrome Web Browser – (Not Tablets)

  • Chrome Web Store – To download useful tools called “extensions” to the Google Chrome browser you need to download them from the Chrome Web Store. 

What is a Chrome Extension?

Chrome Extensions for Reading 

  • ReadWrite for Google Chrome – Provides text to speech for written materials online including Google Docs, PDFs and EPUB files. They provide teachers access to the premium features at no cost by filling out this form.
  • BeeLine Reader  – BeeLine Reader is a research-backed tool that improves reading ability for students of all ages and skill levels. By displaying text using color gradients that wrap from the end of one line to the beginning of the next, BeeLine facilitates visual tracking and enables the reader to focus on other aspects of reading, such as decoding and comprehension.

Chrome Supports for Writing

  •  Grammarly– From grammar and spelling to style and tone, Grammarly helps you eliminate writing errors and find the perfect words to express yourself. You’ll get suggestions from Grammarly as you write on Gmail, Twitter, LinkedIn, and nearly everywhere else you find yourself writing. Grammarly is a writing assistant that goes deeper than grammar to offer you comprehensive writing feedback. You can be confident that your writing is not only correct, but clear and concise, too. Be sure to register your account to receive a personalized writing report each week to help you track your progress and identify improvement areas.
  • Voice Typing in Google Docs  – Google Docs has a built in dictation function. Once you turn it on users can type out sentences using their voice.

iPhones/iPads

  •  The ASL App –  The ASL App is made by Deaf people for you! Learn conversational ASL right now, on the go, with all phrases and signs organized to make it easy for you to learn.
  • Bugs and Buttons – Ages  3-5 – Creative Learning  game. Play tic-tac-toe with a dragon fly. Carefully avoid bees while picking apples. Complete colorful patterns of buttons and beautiful yarn. You’ll even sort bugs from a button factory conveyor belt.
  • Math Learning Center – Features free apps to promote math practice on IOS devices.

Operating System Accessibility Guides 

Regardless  of which computer/device you have access to there are ways to make content more accessible such as having on screen text read out loud or just making the font bigger so it is easier to read. The guides below will help you provide these accommodations no matter which device you or your student have access to.

  • Microsoft Accessibility  Guide – This page features information on how to use Windows to provide accessible materials. Topics covered include support for vision, hearing, speech, mobility and learning.
  • Apple MAC – This page is for MAC users (not iPhone/iPad) and contains information on how to make the MAC for accessible for individuals with unique needs.
  • Text to speech in IOS – Hear text spoken aloud on the iPhone and iPad.
  • Lock IOS into one app using Guided Access – This is useful when the learner wants to play games on an iPhone/iPad instead of using the device the way they should. This setting will lock the device into one app until the code you select is entered. 
  • Android – This page is for Android users and contains information on how to make the Android phones/tablets more accessible for individuals with unique needs.

“Books” and Content Available Online

  • Bookshare – If your child has an IEP which requires “Accessible Educational Materials” be provided he or she may have access to Bookshare through their school. Ask the special education teacher for the login and if this is the case you can sign in. Bookshare is also opening up resources to teach from home. UseRead2Go app on your mobile device to read books or access on the web. This is the best way to get books that can be read aloud.
  • Khan Academy – Featuring captioned videos, practice lessons and a personalized learning dashboard Khan Academy is a website to keep student’s skills sharp while out of the classroom.
  • NewsELA – Read news articles written for students. The text is adjustable by reading level so learners can read age appropriate content at their personal reading level. 
  • StoryLine Online – Recommended Ages 4-7. This website features narrated children’s books voiced, oftentimes, by professional actors.
  • National Emergency Library – a collection of books that supports emergency remote teaching, research activities, independent scholarship, and intellectual stimulation while universities, schools, training centers, and libraries are closed.

Writing Support

  • My StoryBook.com – Make your story come to life with drawing, text and art tools. Great for developing writing prompts, these tools can be very helpful for struggling writers who may appreciate being able to tell their story in pictures and drawings.
  • Voice Typing in Google Docs – Google Docs has a built in dictation function. Once you turn it on users can type out sentences using their voice.

Communication

  • Communication Boards  – If you have a learner at home who uses a communication system these boards can serve as a great backup or primary communication tool.  They can either be printed or displayed on a screen or phone.
  •  Language Lab from Prentke Romich and is being offered free for a 2 month trial. This product provides real-life solutions in support of language development. Explore language stages and interactive materials designed for Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs), Educators and Parents.
  • Social Story About Coronavirus – Carol Grey – For many individuals, including those who may be on the Autism Spectrum, a “social story” can teach about appropriate behavior and provide perspective for social situations. This story teaches about the coronavirus and some of its impact.

Blind / Visual Impairment

This article covers establishing a routine, helping around the house, ideas for young children and games.  

Other Useful Resources

  • Louisiana Public Broadcasting- Learning At Home – LPB and other public media stations have prepared broadcast programming and accompanying digital resources—addressing state and national standards—to provide continued at-home learning.
  • Google Teach From Home– Page dedicated to supporting teachers teaching from home including how to keep students engaged in a distance learning model. Includes a section for making content more accessible. 
  • Virtual School Activities  – Link to a collection of sites to live webcams, virtual tours/trips, and other miscellaneous fun educational sites.