We would like to acknowledge the support of Student Services Coordinator AVRSB, Cindy Giffin-Johnson, Student Services Department of Education, Ann Power and the enthusiasm of START members. The participation of James Roy and the Technical Resource Centre has helped us understand the issues related to assistive technology and students with special needs. Without James Roy’s (AT Consultant) guidance, support and patience we would not have been able to “see” the possibilities for our students - Thanks!

We would like to acknowledge the hard work of the START Lead Team Members: Heather Brown, Betty Isaac, Nick Karamanos, Greg Mackin, Grace Moores, James Roy, Bev Roy, Pam Shelton and Janet Trites. We also appreciate the input from AVRSB Student Services staff.

A special thanks goes to Bernie Davison (TRC Consultant) and Erika Ranne (HRDC Youth Grant) from the Technical Resource Centre for all of their help and support with our projects.

Since the beginning of START, we have had dialogue with various educators, Evelyn Bent, Chignecto Central Regional School Board, Ted Morrison, Genny Sampson and Dorothy Tennant Cape Breton Regional School Board, Shaun Whittleton, Rehabilitation Programs and Services, and many others. We hope that continuing discussion will further the development of assistive technology services in the public schools of Nova Scotia.

Resources used in this guide are acknowledged:

The Division of Student Support Services, Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education, Programming for Individual Needs: Using Technology to Enhance Students’ Differing Abilities, 1996

Computer Resources for People with Disabilities
A Guide to Exploring Today’s Assistive Technology
The Alliance for Technology Access, Hunter House Publishers, ISBN 0-89793-197-1, 1996

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Guide available at www.wati.org