How-Tos: For Instructors

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CAELA Resource Collections: Learning Disabilities and Adult ESL
Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA)
Extensive collection of resources for practitioners in the field of adult English Literacy education. Resources include two how-to articles that deal specifically with adult EL/ESL instruction and learning disabilities, several digests that address effective practices in adult EL/ESL, links to related Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC) clearinghouses and digests, and other relevant information.
http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/collections/ld.html

If Only I Could...Read, Write, Spell: Identifying and Helping Adults who Find Learning Difficult
Center for Literacy Studies, Tennessee Literacy Resource Center
Action research project examines instruction and learning for adults who struggle with reading and writing. Assessment tools and instructional strategies for reading and spelling are supported with examples from the field. Includes an instructive reflection on the research project and a collection of useful resources.
Download/view: PDF (554KB) | HTML

LD Resource Guide: Making Sense of Learning Difficulties, Disabilities, and Differences
L. Shelton, California Library Literacy Services (CLLS), Learning Disabilities Task Force, 2002
A resource and how-to guide that reviews recent research and practices addressing persons with learning disabilities. Covers topics such as perceptions and beliefs about learning disabilities, language and comprehension, phonological awareness, and assessment and screening.
Download/view: PDF (1.0MB) | HTML

Learning Disabilities and Assistive Technologies
Tools for Life, Learning Disabilities Association of Georgia, and Learning Disabled Adults of Georgia
Groups learning disabilities into four categories (reading, math, writing, and social) and gives an overview of common problems and evaluates a variety of low-tech and high-tech assistive technologies ranging from colored highlighters to optical character recognition and voice recognition software. Provides extensive information on legal issues and advocacy as well as a brief case study of an adult learner in each category. Dispels myths about learning disabilities and includes a screening toolkit for practitioners and a list of vendors that provide a wide range of assistive technologies.
http://www.gatfl.org/LearningDisabilitiesGuide/tabid/456/Default.aspx

Taking Action: A Resource Guide for Instructors Serving ESL Adults with Learning Difficulties or Learning Disabilities
M. Frank, Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) Minnesota
Provides information on ESL and learning-disabled adults and language acquisition principles. Describes external and internal factors influencing learning and performance. Also offers promising practices and recommendations for ESL instruction, sample lesson plans, a preview of LDA's pre-referral, referral, and assessment tools, and models for determining significant learning difficulties or learning disabilities. Available for purchase from:
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textHELP Systems
Assistive software designed for students with learning difficulties. Various applications offer text to speech conversion, phonetic spell checking, a talking dictionary, pronunciation assistance, document scanning, keyboard and mouse tracking, teacher toolkits, and more. The textHELP programs are compatible with most standard software and demos are accessible online. Available for purchase from
http://www.texthelp.com/