Access for All Students
Utilizing instructional strategies, accommodations, and assistive technology supports, the Mercy Resource Department provides students with learning differences access to and progress in, the general education curriculum. We provide ongoing services to students, parents, and teachers as we work in partnership to identify areas of needs for each student and develop an implementation plan that will work across a universally-designed environment.
Our Process
The Resource Department staff provides a variety of academic, social and special education services for students at Our Lady of Mercy School:
- Students are referred for Resource support through teacher/parent referrals or through existing educational plans such as an Individual Education Program (IEP).
- For teacher/parent referrals we have a process in place to investigate the need for Resource Services.
- When students have existing support plans from a public school district, we will coordinate these accommodations with the education support plan written by the Resource Department team for that student.
- The Resource Department begins the initial process of assessing a student's need for Resource Services, based on professional evaluations and documentation for each student, and then writes support plans (ICEP/CAP) for students who qualify for services.
- The Resource Department team will work with teachers on how to implement the prescribed classroom accommodations, modifications, and assistive technology supports for students who have educational support plans.
Resource Department Services
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology consists of devices and services. An assistive technology device is an item or piece of equipment that helps a person with a disability increase, maintain, or improve a student’s functional capabilities. Assistive technology devices can be high-tech or low-tech.
An assistive technology service is any direct assistance to the student with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of the assistive technology device.
Assistive Technology can help with:
- Reading
- Written expression
- Math
- Daily organization
- Communication
- Recreation
- Hearing
- Seeing
- Self-care
- Mobility
- Sensory aids
Assistive Technology Support Tools:
Low Tech Supports
- Reading guides
- Adapted pencils
- Graphic organizers
- Adapted schedules
- Organization support
High Tech Supports
- Type to Learn
- C-Pen Scanning Pen
- TextHelp
- Equatio
- Virtual therapy (speech, reading)
Assistive Technology Support Tools
Low Tech Supports
- Reading guides
- Adapted pencils
- Graphic organizers
- Adapted schedules
- Organization support
High Tech Supports
- Type to Learn
- C-Pen Scanning Pen
- TextHelp
- Equatio
- Virtual therapy (speech, reading)