Special Education
Students With Intellectual Disabilities
A Resource Guide for Teachers
The Province funds a group of education alternatives known as Provincial Resource Programs (PRPs). These programs are intended to assist districts to meet the educational needs of students in exceptional circumstances. Some of the PRPs provide specific services for students with special needs throughout the province, either on an outreach basis or within a provincial centre. Information about accessing services from the PRPs is included in Special Education Services-A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines (Ministry of Education, 1995).
In some cases, services are being provided by other Ministries, and students involved require educational programs. Examples of this type of program include:
Chrisholme, Langley
Serves students with mild intellectual disabilities who also evidence social/emotional problems.
G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver
Serves students with physical and/or neurological impairments, including students with severe head injuries.
Queen Alexandra Hospital Educational Program, Victoria
Serves students who are physically dependent with multiple needs.
Rainbow Ridge, Maple Ridge
Serves students who are medically fragile with multiple disabilities (dependent disabled).
Sunny Hill Educational Program, Vancouver
Serves students who are physically dependent with multiple needs.
Provincial Integration Support, Victoria
Serves students with severe/profound physical disabilities.
Gateway House, Delta
Serves students with pervasive developmental disorders, autism and/or severe and profound intellectual handicaps with an accompanying behaviour disorder.
Gateway House Consultation and Support Services
Assessment and consulting services to serve students with pervasive developmental disorder, autism and /or severe intellectual disabilities with an accompanying behaviour disorder.
4812 Georgia Street
Delta, B.C. V4K 2S9
Tel: (604) 946-3610
Fax: (604) 946-2956
Special Education Technology-British Columbia (SET-BC)
Serves students with physical disabilities, or visual impairments, who need to use special education technology.
Assesses students' need for technology, assists in program planning, loans special equipment and technical support, and holds inservice to support the use of the technology.
SET-BC Provincial Centre
105-1750 W. 75th Ave.
Vancouver, B.C. V6P 6G2
Tel: (604) 261-9450
Fax: (604) 261-2256
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| Vancouver Island/Central Coast 2260 Victor Street Victoria, B.C. V8R 4C5 Tel: (604) 595-7511 Fax: (604) 595-7224 |
Lower Mainland/Southwest B.C. 105-1750 West 75th Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V6P 6G2 Tel: (604)261-9450 Fax: (604)261-2256 |
Thompson/Okanagan |
Kootenay 689 Rotary Drive Kimberley, B.C. V1A 1E4 Tel: (604) 427-7888 Fax: (604) 427-5301 |
Cariboo/Chilcotin |
North Coast Resource Centre 825 Conrad Street Prince Rupert, B.C. V8H 3B8 Tel: (604) 624-6621 Fax: (604) 624-6572 |
Nechako |
Northeast B.C. 929-106th Street Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 2N9 Tel: (604) 782-9125 Fax: (604) 782-3204 |
Computers and software benefit learners with intellectual disabilities in many ways. The computer provides a multi-sensory experience: giving visual cues through colour graphics and animation; auditory clues through music, voice and sound prompts; and tactile cues through the keyboard or touch screen. Software can aid these teaching strategies: model and demonstrate, drill and practice, problem solve and generalize. In addition, a program can detect areas of difficulty for the student and provide problem solving cues. Typing at a computer keyboard may require less motor coordination than writing with a pencil and paper.
The immediate feedback provided by the computer helps the learner measure progress and encourages a successful learning experience. Some individuals with intellectual disabilities may benefit from seeing and hearing the information displayed on the computer screen. This can be accomplished by using screen reading software and speech synthesizer devices.
The computer should be characterized as an impartial tutor, providing a risk-free, patient learning environment, as well as an active environment for creative and independent learning. When using a computer learners adjust and manipulate their own experiences by controlling the method of input (i.e., touch, voice), type of output (i.e. graphics, text and audio) and place of instruction. The different learning styles addressed through computer software can motivate the individual to participate more in the learning activity. Individuals can use the computer to maximize their strengths and to compensate for areas of weakness. With the growing emphasis on integrating students with disabilities into classes with their non-disabled peers, the computer can help all learners participate equally. Computer materials may be matched to many learning styles to help students with disabilities participate in the same setting as non-disabled students.
There are a variety of software programs for reading and language arts, math, cognitive reading skills and other areas. When choosing a program for a student, the teacher needs to consider the type of instructional methods, presentation options, record maintenance and utilities used in the programs. For example, some programs use a combination of instructional methods: instruction and drill, drill and practice, tutorial, educational game and strategy building.
In addition, the use of options like colour graphics, hints, sound output and content may be significant in enhancing learning. For professionals in special education and rehabilitation, administrative and assessment programs may also be beneficial. Some software designed to be used in IEP development and team meeting record keeping is included under Additional Recommended Resources starting on page 86 of this guide.
Community Learning Network
The Community Learning Network (CLN) is a telecommunications network maintained by the Technology and Distance Education Branch of the Ministry of Education. B.C. public school districts are able to obtain accounts on CLN for district staff, teaching staff and students for no charge. B.C. independent schools can acquire the same set of services for a nominal fee. The costs of accessing CLN (e.g., via B.C. Systems Corporation UDial ports) are the responsibility of the public or independent school district.
CLN offers a menu of information sources, services and learning materials as well as a wide range of international telecommunication services and resources, including e-mail, conferences, databases, gopher resources, World Wide Web resources and listserves. In addition, numerous resources have been developed specifically for B.C. teachers, including a set of classroom support documents, on-line training courses and various lists and conferences.
There are a number of sources of information about special education that can be accessed through CLN. The main menu includes the topic "Let's Talk B.C" which includes Conferences/Lists for B.C. Educators. Teachers of students with special needs may be interested in accessing several of the conferences listed. The B.C. Special Needs Teachers Conference and the conference of the B.C. Career Education Society may be of particular interest. The main menu also offers B.C. Education Partners which includes Special Education Information. By making this selection, teachers can access the most recent Special Education provincial policies, guidelines and resources. BCTF Online
BCTF Online is the British Columbia Teachers' Federation's online information service.
BCTF Online is available on the Internet using the gopher client/server searching tool. The BCTF Online Gopher is accessible worldwide, as it is registered with the University of Minnesota and listed under Other Gopher and Information Servers, Canadian Gopher Servers. BCTF Online provides users with information such as the latest news from the federation; updates on key educational issues; information on education change, mainstreaming and integration; professional development opportunities; and topical research reports.
Telephone ServicesA variety of support services can be accessed by telephone. In 1994, a 1-800 telephone service was established by the Ministry of Education, administered through a contract by the BCTF, to assist teachers, administrators and teachers' assistants working with students with special needs. The Integration Support Line (1-800-876-8542) was designed to assist users to access a variety of resources, including information regarding policies and procedures; local, community and provincial resources; adapted and modified materials; and professional development opportunities. It also provides users with opportunities to consult with experienced practitioners on a range of issues related to the integration of students with special needs.
B.C. Tel directories are an up-to-date source for local service contacts. Under the Community Services section you will find a Special Needs Resource Line and a section on People with Disabilities-Services listing local numbers in areas such as leisure and recreation; rehabilitation, employment, job training and education; respite; transportation; and support groups.
