Welcome! Your generosity helps turn our mission into action. Every donation—big or small—makes a real difference. Thank you for being part of the change. Donate Donations are always welcome We are deeply grateful to the donors and sponsors who helped the Chris Walsh Center raise $13,198.56 in 2025. Your generosity directly supports accessible programming for families and educators and ensures our services remain open to all, regardless of ability to pay. Thank you for being part of our community. We proudly acknowledge and celebrate the individuals and organizations whose dedication and contributions have made a lasting impact on our center’s programing and outreach. Defying Gravity Champion Framingham State university Nellie Mae Education Foundation Wizard Circle Dr. Linda C. Vaden Goad Magic Marker Courney Edman, 2tamatheshamE Friends of Oz Danforth Art Museum and Art School FSU Division of Graduate Studies & Continuing Education Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning Yellow Brick Advocate MetroWest YMCA Rita Vatcher Kids at Heart Burn Boot Camp Launch The Sports Museuam Emerald Circle North Shore Music Theater Level 99 Flying Star University Pizza Burton’s Child Therapy Boston Sweetgreen Leslie Leslie The Lark Center Burton Green Grill Pub Therese Ajtum-Roberts John Alves, Bay State Taekwondo Academy Shining Ligths Mad Willie's Chiplotle Jam Time Institute of Contemparary Art Snip It Discovery Museum New England Patriots Salem Witch Museum Charles River Tour Sturbridge Village Elise Rebecca Howell Ellen Rose Julie Tanguay Karen Watson Katherine Palacesnarita Pete and Jayne Moynihan William Cressey Spencer Dugbartey Lawerence O'Brien Ana Marie Young Ilias and Julie Faqir

Family Supports Effect of Disability on the Family This article outlines how a disabled family member may impact their family. It cites relevant data and offers a multitude of outcomes that could occur. This is a great resource for family members looking to gain a deeper understanding of what to expect from having a disabled family member and for family members to compare their experiences with those highlighted in the article. Massachusetts DDS Family Support Centers This webpage by the Massachusetts Department of Disability Services outlines what services the family support centers can provide and where to find them by region. This is a helpful resource for families with disabled family members looking for more information on services available to them as well as general support services. Effect on Family Life - Advice for families and caregivers This webpage answers frequently asked questions that many families and caregivers of disabled folks may have in regard to how a disability might affect their family life. In addition to general questions, it breaks down family life effects by disability, like epilepsy, autism, and more. The website is sponsored by the U.S. Children’s Bureau. The webpage was posted in 2017, so date-specific information should be double checked. Massachusetts Topics and Guides for Families with Disabled Family Members This resource hosts a compilation of guides and articles to help guide families navigating disability- and care-related services in Massachusetts. It has information on topics such as special education, health insurance, SSI benefits, guardianship, and more. It is an excellent resource for family members particularly with a disabled child who are unfamiliar with disability and care services in Massachusetts. Explore https://www.exceptionallives.org/ for additional national disability resources and webinars. Parent to Parent USA Parent to Parent connects parents of children with similar disabilities and health conditions to create a support system for families. This service is free and accessible to anyone within the United States, even if your state does not have a chapter. It is an ideal resource for families seeking emotional support and additional guidance from other families with similar experiences. Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 03/02/2025 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.

Fact Fridays Autism Awareness Month Among the millions of people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the U.S. are college students, who are trying to navigate the world of higher education. They are not alone and there are resources available to ease the transition! Check out the Community Autism Resources’ website and explore the College Navigation page for more information! April 14, 2023 Women's History Month Autism often looks different in people assigned female at birth and therefore commonly goes undiagnosed. For resources, check out the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network. March 24, 2023 Black History Month "To be Black in America with a learning disability" Read Atira Roberson's Understood article sharing the reality of her experience having a learning disability as a Black woman in America. Check out the National Center for Learning Disabilities website at ncld.org, where Roberson serves on the Young Adult Leadership Council - get access to resources and discover ways you can get involved. Feb. 17, 2023 Braille Literacy Month January 4 is Louis Braille’s birthday, so in celebration, let’s learn more about Braille! Braille primarily uses 6 dots in columns, with 63 possible combinations. Check out this children’s book on Braille: How to Read Braille with Dottie and Dots by Kristen Smith-Armand, M.Ed. Jan. 20, 2022 National Family Caregivers Month In 1997, former President Bill Clinton proclaimed November to be National Family Caregivers Month. Celebrate with us and check out the resources provided by Child Welfare Information Gateway! Nov. 18, 2022 Bullying Prevention Month Children who identify as LGBT+, are obese, or have one or more disabilities are 63% more likely to be bullied than other children, according to National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment. Start a conversation with your child and learn how to prevent and respond to bullying. Oct. 28, 2022 Suicide Prevention Month According to the CDC, "suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34." Check out the CDC's "Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices" for information on how to help. Call or text the 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Resource in Spanish. Sept. 30, 2022 World Suicide Prevention Day According to the CDC, suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. with 45,979 deaths in 2020. This is 1 death every 11 minutes. Check out the Center for Practice Innovation for trainings designed to help people assess risk of suicide and prepare a safety plan. September 9, 2022 LGBTQ+ Pride Month “According to the 2015 YRBS, LGB students were 140% (12% v. 5%) more likely to not go to school at least one day during the 30 days prior to the survey because of safety concerns, compared with heterosexual students. While not a direct measure of school performance, absenteeism has been linked to low graduation rates, which can have lifelong consequences.” Source: CDC OUT MetroWest provides a plethora of resources for your child, including for school, family, health, legal, community, and dating violence. Find out what resource may be helpful for you at outmetrowest.org. June 2, 2022 National Foster Care Awareness May is National Foster Care Month. According to childrensrights.org, there are approximately 424,000 children in foster care in the United States on a given day. May 13, 2022 National Nutrition Month According to foodsafety.gov, 1 in 6 Americans will get food poisoning this year. Prevention is key! Check out the USDA’s Food Keeper App and get a better understanding of food and beverage shelf life. The app is available on both IOS and Android in English, Spanish, and Portuguese! March 25, 2022 Body Image Awareness Month Fact Friday: If Barbie were a real woman her proportions would be unrealistically attainable, allowing her to promote negative body image for child across the globe. Source: South Shore Eating Disorders Collaborative Consider alternatives that promote more realistic depcitions of body image, such as "Lottie. " These dolls were specifically designed to replicate a realistic body image for children. "Responding to increasing demand from young parents for 'non-Barbie' dolls, the concept behind Lottie dolls was developed over 18 months by a group of forward-thinking child development experts, parents, nutritionists and child psychologists in the UK. More than 100 different 'action points' were incorporated into Lottie dolls and accessories to empower children to be themselves, embrace individuality, enjoy their childhood and have meaningful and inspirational adventures." Source: Toy Factory Canada Feb. 18, 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a UN day that is celebrated every year on 3 December. The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life. What role can you play in making the world a more inclusive and accessible place for a person with a disability to live, work, learn, and play? Dec. 3, 2021 Epilepsy Awareness Month Here's this week's 'Fact Friday': Epilepsy Awareness month. Today's fact is that according to the Epilepsy Foundation, 150,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy every year. Over a lifetime, 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure and 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy. Nov. 5, 2021 Autism Awareness Month 1 in 36 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), according to Mass General. Autism Parenting Magazine provides a resource guide for families that is free and available online. April 7, 2023 National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month In 1987, former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed March to be Developmental Disabilities Month in order to raise awareness about people with developmental disabilities and help break down any barriers that currently limit their fulling lives. The City of Boston website has listed a number of way get involved locally as well as resources to help support those who are developmentally disabled. March 10, 2023 Black History Month According to Respectability.com, "For many of the 1,158,862 Black students (K-12) with disabilities in America today, the deck is stacked against them. A key part of that is because, due to structural racism, schools are funded by local property taxes which perpetuates a cycle of poverty." Feb. 10, 2023 Disability Rights Disability rights are human rights. According to the World Health Organization, “People with disability are among the world’s most discriminated people, often experiencing violence, prejudice and denial of autonomy as well as facing barriers to care.” Federal law provides protection for disability rights. Learn more about these rights on the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website. Dec. 9, 2022 Epilepsy Awareness Month Myth: You should restrain someone having a seizure. Fact: According to Valley Children's Healthcare, you should never hold someone down if they are having a seizure. This could cause a bone or muscular injury. Instead, move away any dangerous objects and ensure their head is supported under something soft. Seizure First Aid Training and Certification The Epilepsy Foundation is holding a number of online seizure first aid trainings and certifications throughout the month of November and early December. These trainings are available in both English and Spanish. The certification lasts for two years. Register now! Nov. 11, 2022 Dyslexia Awareness Month “Experts estimate that anywhere between 5 and 20 percent of school children have a form of dyslexia. Dyslexia is, in fact, the root of 80 percent of all learning disabilities, and yet in many families, schools, and even businesses, it’s still profoundly misunderstood.” - Holly Korbey, MindShift Oct. 21, 2022 Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month According to RespectAbility, approximately 1,586,009 Latinx students with disabilities are enrolled in U.S. public schools. RespectAbility is a nonprofit organization led by a diverse staff with disabilities. The aim of the organization is to fight stigmas, advocate, and empower. Intersectional families who have children who are both Hispanic/Latinx and a disability can find resources on the respectability website. There are profiles of people who share similar intersectionality as well as resources in Spanish. Sept. 23, 2022 LGBTQ+ Pride Month Educators, counselors, parents/guardians and other adult allies play an important role in ensuring the safety, inclusion and well-being of these students, all of which are essential to academic and social-emotional growth in the classroom and school communities. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans for these students should account for the unique needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ students with disabilities to ensure that they can learn and participate in school programs and activities in a nondiscriminatory environment. Check out this guide on advocating for LGBTQ+ students with disabilities for an overview of the rights of LGBTQ+ students with disabilities as well as actionable recommendations on how to best support them. June 17, 2022 Mental Health Awareness Month Are you aware of what resources are available to you when your child is in a crisis? Consider Wayside’s Mobile Crisis Intervention, specifically designed to help youth experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 1-800-640-5432 to assistance. 1 in 5 children, ages 13-18, have or will have a serious mental health disorder, according to nami.com . Wayside Mobile Crisis Intervention: An alternative to 911, available for the MetroWest and Waltham areas. "Mobile Crisis Intervention is a mobile, on-site, face-to-face therapeutic response to youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The MCI team will identify, assess, treat and stabilize the situation reducing any immediate risk of danger to the youth or others." May 27, 2022 Autism Awareness Month “Autism is not an illness or a 'thing' a person 'has.' It is a collection of responses which must be viewed in context, and observation is always more productive than labeling. The autism spectrum is very broad, with individual variations on several key features.” - Autism National Committee April 22, 2022 National Nutrition Month More than half of American children had poor quality diets in 2016. Healthy eating habits are crucial to children's health, growth, and development. For more information on nutrition and other health-related resources, check out health.gov. Source: National Institutes of Health, Health Direct Body Image Awareness Month Fact Friday: Body Image Awareness Month! “40-60% of elementary school girls are concerned about their weight or about becoming ‘too fat’.” National Organization for Women Now.org Check out NOW's resources on how to promote positive body image through their tools for teachers, activities for campuses, and more! Feb. 11, 2022 Prematurity Awareness Month This week’s Fact Friday is in honor of Prematurity Awareness Month: According to March of Dimes, 33,000 babies in the U.S. will be born premature this month. "This crisis is fueled by the health equity gap in our health care system," with "a higher chance of maternal or infant death based on race and ethnicity." Find support in March of Dimes’ NICU Family Support Program, “Your resource to improve the quality of the patient and family experience in your unit." The program is focused on education of families and hospital staff as well as providing resources that will improve patient and family experiences. Nov. 19, 2021 Women's History Month 19.2% of women have one or more disability in the United States, whereas for men it is 12%.
 Women Enabled International is an organization that aims to advocate and enhance human rights at the intersection of gender and disability. March 31, 2023 National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. According to the CDC, developmental monitoring is used by parents and doctors to determine whether a child may have a development disability. Milestones that children typical reach at each age are used to identify any signs of a developmental disability. The CDC provides a checklist for these milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html In honor of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, learn more about what DDAs are! The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities is hosting a webinar on March 14 from 3-4 p.m. Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_fYfNKaJnTjuoFvbLo6UWsA March 3, 2023 Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month Jewish Special Education International Consortium established February as Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month in 2009. If you are Jewish and have a disability or are a parent of someone with disabilities, check out the Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley for resources and find a number of webinars and helpful websites. Feb. 3, 2023 Special Education Day Special Education Day celebrates the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act into law on December 2nd in 1975 (IDEA). Dec. 2, 2022 National Adoption Month Did you know that 10% of teachers received professional development about adoption and only 3% felt prepared by their training to work with adoptive families? Dr. Abbie Goldberg suggests 3 steps school can take to be inclusive to adopted children and their families: 1. Do a “rethink” of institutional inclusion (paperwork, images, etc) 2. Actively communicate inclusion 3. Ensure professional development opportunities for teacher and staff Nov. 4, 2022 Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month Many English language learner (ELL) students are inappropriately identified as students with disabilities, while other ELL students’ disabilities are overlooked, leading to a lack of necessary services, according to RTI Action Network.  For more information on how to identify and best support ELL students with disabilities, check out the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s page on English Learners with Disabilities. Oct. 7, 2022 Self-Care Awareness Month According to a recent Gallup poll, K-12 educators have reported burnout rates that are significantly higher than other full-time profession. It is important now more than ever that educators allow themselves to practice self care. Practicing self-care as an educator is essential. Check out the article "Self-Care Resources for Educators and Other Helping Professionals" from mindfulteachers.org for information on how to practice realistic self-care. This article has a collection of resources aimed at helping educators with the differing components to self-care. September 16, 2022 LGBTQ+ Pride Month An estimated 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ individuals have one or more disabilities, according to LGBT Map. Check out these resources from William Paterson University: ReachOut USA LBGT with Disabilities Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf Blind LGBT Pride International Passing Twice Read more about LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities on LGBT Map ! June 10, 2022 Mental Health Awareness Month "Recent research covering 80,000 youth globally found that depressive and anxiety symptoms doubled during the pandemic, with 25% of youth experiencing depressive symptoms and 20% experiencing anxiety symptoms." It is Mental Health Awareness Month and COVID-19 has impacted mental health of youth across the globe. Learn in what ways they were affected and how we can help from the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory "Protecting Youth Mental Health." There are specialized sections for both families and educators. May 20, 2022 Autism Awareness Month Happy World Autism Awareness Month! Want to know more about what Autism Spectrum Disorder is? Have lots of questions? Check out the Child Mind Institute's quick guide to ASD. Explore the Autism topic page for more! April 1, 2022 National Eating Disorder Awareness Week This week’s Fact Friday is for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Get the help you need by contacting the Nation Eating Disorders Association’s Helpline. (800) 931-2237 Nationaleatingdisorders.org "People with negative body image have a greater likelihood of developing an eating disorder and are more likely to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem, and obsessions with weight loss." Source: National Eating Disorders Association Feb. 25, 2022 Body Image Awareness Month The week’s fact Friday is for Body Image Awareness: According to a study done by YouGovAmerica in 2021, approximately 51% of Americans say they feel pressured to have a certain body type. Follow the link to get a worksheet that will help both kids and adults promote a positive body image of themselves! Feb. 4, 2022 Transgender Awareness Week For this week’s Fact Friday learn how to help support Transgender youth - by respecting pronouns, allowing students to participate in school activities/teams that match their gender identities, implementing inclusive policies, and including LGBTQ+ representation/history in your curriculum. During last year’s #FSULearn , Graduate Assistant Ellen Rose read a book by Holliston author Kerri Mullen. The book, “Eli's New Clothes,” provides a way to promote conversations about gender identity and self expression. Also, check out some resources for LGBTQ+ folks and allies. GLESN - "GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together we can transform our nation's schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve." PFLAG - "PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. ... PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed." Out MetroWest - "OUT MetroWest builds communities where LGBTQ+ youth thrive. ... The organization currently runs more than a dozen youth meetings per month out of its hub in Framingham. OUT MetroWest also provides online programming and satellite meetings around the MetroWest region." Nov. 12, 2021 Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 06/17/2022 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.

Online / Remote Teaching and Learning Virtually Alone: Remote Learning for Students with Special Needs This article highlights the problems that have arisen for disabled students in the remote learning environment. It is a helpful resource for caregivers and educators seeking to understand how remote learning is impacting students and how they can help alleviate these burdens. The article was written specifically considering the COVID-19 pandemic, so pandemic-specific information should be double checked. Special Education Remote Resources This webpage provides a compilation of remote learning resources broken down by discipline and disability. It is an excellent resource for educators seeking to improve the remote learning environment for disabled students. Remote Learning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder This resource sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education discusses how autistic students can be better supported during remote learning. It is an ideal resource for caregivers seeking to provide more structure at home while their autistic student engages in remote learning. The guide is from 2020 and highlights problems exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, so date-sensitive and pandemic-specific information should be double-checked. For Anxious Students, Remote School Year Has Been a Bit of Relief This article highlights how remote learning could have been beneficial for students with disabilities, including anxiety. It is a particularly helpful read for parents of students with similar disabilities or educators seeking to better support their students with such disabilities. This article outlines one perspective and should not be conflated to cover all experiences of disabled students in remote learning. Supporting Students’ Mental Health During Remote or Hybrid Learning This resource offers educators a variety of tips for how to support their students’ mental health, especially when they aren’t seeing them face-to-face every day. Though learning has been returning to an in-person setting as the pandemic evolves, these strategies remain relevant as students face their emotional and social challenges. Teachers are encouraged to emphasize social emotional learning, strengthen students’ relationships with each other, incorporate hands-on activities, and introduce mindfulness and relaxation techniques in the classroom. Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 03/02/2026 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.

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Supporting Literacy Mass Literacy The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations explains how Mass Literacy is a state-wide effort to advocate for evidence-based practices that promote literacy for all students. The website provides a literacy guide with helpful resources for educators. Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 03/02/2026 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.

Disability Identity & Justice Working Definition of Ableism This quick read gives an overview of what ableism is, who it affects, and how it affects individuals. It’s a great starting point for individuals interested in getting a deeper understanding of disability identity, justice, and oppression. 10 Principles of Disability Justice This list of 10 principles provides a basic overview of the foundations of disability justice and how they function in the world. It is an excellent resource for individuals unfamiliar with disability justice. Please check out https://www.sinsinvalid.org/curriculum for additional information on disability identity and justice. Access Intimacy, Interdependence, and Disability Justice This discussion by Mia Mingus about access intimacy, interdependence, and disability justice highlights key topics important within disability identity. It is offered as a transcript and in video form. The talk is from 2017, so date-specific information should be double checked. The Spoon Theory This story by Christine Miserandino aims to describe the author’s life as a disabled woman. It is a great way to learn more about disabled folks’ experience, particularly for caregivers, educators, and allies. This resource shares the perspective of one individual, and it is not necessarily representative of the experiences of all disabled individuals. “ By the Book: Using Literature to Discuss Disability with Children and Teens ” This peer-reviewed journal article offers a comprehensive overview of the importance of disability representation in literature and how to implement this at home or in the classroom. It is a helpful resource for caregivers and educators looking to bring disability into diversity discussions and give disabled students representation within the stories they are reading. You can request a free copy of the article from the authors by clicking the linked box in the top right corner. Forced Intimacy: An Ableist Norm This article by Mia Mingus introduces and discusses the concept of forced intimacy and how that impacts disabled folks’ lives. It is an ideal resource for caregivers and educators familiar with the disability justice framework and looking to better understand how to respect and support students with disabilities. ‘Autistic Person’ or ‘Person with Autism’: Is There a Right Way to Identify People? This article explores the use of person first versus identity-first language within the disability community. It is a great read for caregivers and educators unfamiliar with what language to use when referring to disabled students. The article interviews two disabled individuals’ opinions on the matter, and other folks may have differing views or preferences. Identity Beyond Disability This article discusses the concept of intersectionality and how it relates to disability. It is an excellent read for caregivers and educators seeking to understand the nuances within the identity of disabled students. This article was written in 2019, so date-specific information should be double checked. Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 03/02/2026 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Preparing Teachers to Implement Culturally Responsive SEL and PBIS A webinar presented by Dr. James Cressey that offers a theoretical framework, followed by case study examples from the work of educators and related professionals in PreK, elementary, middle, and high school settings. Family Involvement in PBIS This resource describes families’ roles in PBIS, and it provides tools to help foster involvement. It is an ideal resource for caregivers seeking to understand their role in PBIS and for educators wanting to improve parent engagement in PBIS. Culturally Responsive PBIS Learning Lab This resource outlines an innovative approach to culturally responsive PBIS by using problem-solving and collaboration. It is an ideal site for educators looking to take a deeper dive into culturally responsive PBIS and how to implement it in their schools. Explore the rest of the site at http://www.crpbis.org/index.html for specific learning labs, resources, and publications. The project is sponsored by the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Education. Some information on the site is from as early as 2012, so date-sensitive information should be double-checked. What is PBIS? This article offers a comprehensive introduction to PBIS with opportunities for readers to dive deeper into topics of their choice. It is a great starting point for caregivers and educators new to PBIS. “Developing culturally responsive social, emotional, and behavioral supports” This peer-reviewed journal article explores how to improve student supports through social and emotional learning, culturally responsive practices, and PBIS. It is most helpful for educators seeking to use innovative approaches to better support their students in the classroom and parents wanting to understand how educators can better support their students. Dr. James Cressey also presented on this topic via a webinar through the Chris Walsh Center for Educators and Families of MetroWest at Framingham State University on October 29, 2019. [citation: Cressey, J. (2019). Developing culturally responsive social, emotional, and behavioral supports. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 12(1), 53–67. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIT-01-2019-0015] Videos on PBIS This site offers tons of free speaker videos from experts in the field sharing insight into specific parts of PBIS. Topics range from PBIS Implementation in Rural Settings to sitting in on teams as they discuss PBIS implementation. This site is ideal for educators who are familiar with PBIS and want to learn more about niche topics of interest. Massachusetts-specific PBIS Guide Here you can find a 2 page, easy-to-read guide from Massachusetts on PBIS within the state. This is a great read for those looking to get more acquainted with PBIS within the Massachusetts school system. “Including Students With Disabilities in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: Experiences and Perspectives of Special Educators” This peer-reviewed journal article investigates how students with disabilities are included (or not) within PBIS in schools. It is a great resource for an educator familiar with PBIS to investigate how it functions within special education and what improvements can be implemented. The article can be rented with a free trial or purchased for a one time fee. [citation: Shuster BC, Gustafson JR, Jenkins AB, Lloyd BP, Carter EW, Bernstein CF. Including Students With Disabilities in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: Experiences and Perspectives of Special Educators. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions. 2017;19(3):143-157. doi:10.1177/1098300716675734 ] Culturally Responsive Social-Emotional Learning: Reframing Classroom and Behavior Management for Equity This book chapter, written by Dr. James Cressey, FSU Education Department chair, has been made open access as a result of a grant from the Center for Excellence in Learning, Teaching, Scholarship, and Service (CELTSS). The chapter becomes available following the completion of a short survey. Cressey, J. M. (2020). Culturally Responsive Social-Emotional Learning: Reframing Classroom and Behavior Management for Equity . In A. Singh, M. Viner, & R. Yeh (Eds.), Special Education Design and Development Tools for School Rehabilitation Professionals. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 03/02/2026 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.

Technology Tuesdays LibreOffice LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet software, presentation software, and more. It provides a range of accessibility features such as keyboard shortcuts, screen reader support, and a variety of font options. May 2, 2023 Google Translate It is a free online language translation tool that can translate text, speech, and images in multiple languages. It can be helpful for people with communication difficulties or who speak multiple languages. It also has a feature that allows users to take a picture of a text and translate it on the spot. April 11, 2023 Boston Public Library The Boston Public Library has a computer available with adaptive programs to assist users with disabilities, including a larger screen monitor, a screen reader, a braille translator and printer, as well as Kurzweil 3000. All you need is a library card (which can applied for free online)or a visitors pass. Visit bpl.org to learn more! March 21, 2023 Readermode.io This Chrome Extension is aimed at helping users stay focused on their online reading. The extension will eliminate distractions by hiding advertisements and other pop ups. There are features to highlight text and take notes. There are tools available to help users with dyslexia as well, including text-to-speech. There is also auto-scroll functionality. There is a free version of this extension available, with limited features. Those interested in additional features can check out the Pro and Premium versions. Feb. 14, 2023 Otter.ai Otter is an application and website that enables users to record meetings, lectures, and more with a simple push of a button. During this recording an AI will transcribe the dialogue and keep track of speakers. This transcription is not perfect, but it is helpful when reviewing what was discussed and finding something in need of review. There are features to search the transcript as well as adjust the playback speed in case the user would like to speed it up or slow it down. The free version includes 600 minutes each month with each recording limited to 30 minutes of transcription. There is also the opportunity to share these recordings with others either through their Otter account or simply through a shared link. Jan. 24, 2023 Into the Book Into the Book is a website aimed at teaching reading comprehension strategies such as summarization, visualization, questioning, inferring, evaluating, making connections, synthesizing, prior knowledge, and putting them all together. The website’s tools are available in both English and Spanish. Use interactive books and games to increase reading comprehension. Nov. 15, 2022 Cyberbully Prevention 16% of high School student have experienced cyberbullying. Visit the linked article to learn the signs and tips for teachers on preventative measures. Oct. 25, 2022 Seeing AI Seeing AI is a Microsoft application aimed at providing narration to the world around those who are blind or visually impaired. The application can narrate short text, documents, products, people, a scene, currency, light, color, and handwriting. Oct. 4, 2022 Assistive Technology Module This module walks educators through the process of confronting their perceptions of assistive technology and understanding the value they can have for students with learning disabilities. The module follows consideration, implementation, and evaluation of assistive technology for a given student. The estimated completion time is 2.5 hours. A challenge is posed, initial thoughts are considered, reading and resources are provided on other perspectives, followed by a wrap up and as assessment of what the educator has learned. Sept. 13, 2022 Voice Dream Reader Voice Dream Reader is a reading tool compatible with iOS and Android and allows users to listen to documents or e-books using text to speech in a variety of languages. The app features Dyslexia friendly fonts, audio synchronization, customizable font size and color combinations, a pronunciation dictionary, and voice over support. Users can also add bookmarks, notes, highlights and can control reading speed. April 12, 2022 Be My Eyes The phone application is available for both IOS and Android. The goal of the app is to connect people who are blind or have low vision to sighted volunteers. The volunteers can answer calls and use their sight to help solve problems. The app helps those with visual impairments to live life independently. There are over 5.6 million volunteers and options in over 180 languages. Download the app today to volunteer or to receive assistance! March 22, 2022 Read Aloud Read Aloud is a text-to-speech extension that can be used on Google Chrome to scan almost all websites and read online text aloud. This tool is a Google extension that can be added to your browser. To add this tool to the top right tab of Google Chrome, type Google Chrome extensions into your browser and locate the extension. This tool will then appear for download in your browser. Feb. 22, 2022 Snap and Read Universal If you have a Google Chrome browser, you can use the Google extension Snap&Read to simplify vocabulary, translate text, and read aloud any non-accessible documents. To add this tool to the top right tab of Google Chrome, type Google Chrome extensions into your browser and locate the extension. This tool will then appear for download in your browser. Learn more by following the linked title. Download the chrome extension. Feb. 1, 2022 Google Speech-to-Text If you have a Google Chrome browser, you can use Google’s free speech-to-text feature. Using this feature, you can dictate your work into Google Docs or Google Slides’ speaker notes. You can add punctuation using simple voice commands, including “comma,” “exclamation point,” “question mark,” “new line,” and “new paragraph.” Voice commands allow you to make any changes you need to format and edit your text. For best results, you should work in a quiet room and speak at a normal volume and pace. For complete instructions on using google speech to text, click on the linked title. Therese Ajtum-Roberts, the Center Coordinator demonstrates how to use Googles’ Speech to Text. Check out the video on our YouTube channel. Nov. 16, 2021 SnapType t is a free app that allows students to complete worksheets and other classroom assignments digitally. It can be helpful for students with dysgraphia or other writing difficulties, as it eliminates the need to write by hand and provides a range of tools to support writing and editing. April 25, 2023 MyNoise.net MyNoise is a website designed to provide free audio files to users who prefer to listen to background noise while they work. The website has categories for different sounds, including for ADHD, sleep, focus, and so much more. Once a sound is selected, users have the option to adjust the different parts of the sound. If someone is listening to a storm, they can increase the sound of droplets and decrease the thunder or vice versa. Users can also adjust the volume and set a timer on the audio. This website is available for free and is also an APP on IOS. April 4, 2023 LibriVox LibriVox is a volunteer-based organization that aims to provide access to all books in the public domain. LibriVox offers ebook and audiobook versions of thousands of titles completely free and advertisement free. This organization continues to accept volunteers of all languages and accents. A professional set up in not required to participate. Enjoy LibriVox's content and/or sign up to volunteer today at librivox.org! March 7, 2023 To Do List Tips When completing an important task that requires undivided attention, it can be difficult to forget about all the other tasks that seem just as urgent. Though a pen and paper can make for a simple to do list, this can get lost and may result in further stress. Thankfully, there are a number of tools whether online or in the form of an application that can provide simple ways to keep track of those other tasks so they can be shelved for later. Choose the right to do list for you. Then when the task at hand is complete, you can revisit those shelved tasks and set up an order that best reflects its priority. Check out this article by MondayBlog on “5 strategies for prioritizing tasks.” Feb. 7, 2023 Pomodoro Timer In the 1980s Francesco Cirillo developed a time management method that he coined the “Pomodoro Technique.” The goal of this system is to manage one’s time to increase productivity while including opportunities for rest. This website guides the user through this method. A timer is set for 25 minutes in which the user will aim to complete a task. There is an option to include a list of the desired tasks that the user can then check off once complete. Also on the website, is a time for a short break, 5 minutes, and a long break, 15 minutes. The layout of the website is simple and distraction free to help encourage productivity. Dec. 5, 2022 Khan Academy Khan Academy is an interactive learning platform that includes video lessons, reading material, and activities for students to learn any subject they are interested in or to get extra help on a subject they are struggling with at school. This website offers math, science, arts and humanities, computing, reading and language arts, economics, as well as life skills. All of this content is completely free. Nov. 8, 2022 Online OCR This website allows users to convert images to text or to a PDF using optical character recognition (OCR). Users will get 15 free pages per hour. When registered for the website, users can purchase more pages at a low cost. Once converted, these PDF pages and text can be read aloud. Oct. 18, 2022 Mod Math Mod Math is a free application aimed at helping students with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia or any other disability that makes it difficult for the student to write down a math problem or read their own handwriting. The application helps level the playing field for students with disabilities and allows them to develop their math skills. Users can write out math problems without ever having to lift a pencil. The developers of the application are working to make more complex math available to do as well. Sept. 27, 2022 Grammarly Grammarly is a software that can be installed to Mac or PC. Some functions of Grammarly are identifying errors in writing and word prediction. Word prediction is beneficial for students with disabilities because it reduces the need for handwriting and improves spelling accuracy and writing skills. Grammarly also allows students to form sentences without having to worry too much about spelling and word choice. When a user types into a field, Grammarly underlines potential corrections in red and explains the correction. May 3, 2022 Kurzweil Kurzweil is a literacy software that is designed to run on Windows or Mac. One function of Kurzweil is to provide students who are blind or low vision access to text, comprehensive reading, writing, and test taking tools. Kurzweil can read print, as well as digital documents and offers magnification and lighting functions. The software aligns with common core standards and can be customized for the needs of individual students. April 5, 2022 Volume Master If you have a Google Chrome browser, you can use Google's Volume Master extension. This tool controls the volume for the open tab and can be switched to any other open tab in preview. It increases the volume up to 600% and allows easy tab access to other desired sound-enhancing websites. To add this extension to the top right tab of Google Chrome, type Google Chrome extensions into your browser and locate the extension. This tool will then appear for download in your browser. For a video tutorial on how to download and use this tool, find the link in our bio. March 8, 2022 Dark Mode Dark Mode is a Google extension that enables dark chrome mode for all websites. The extension allows users to easily switch back and forth between light and dark browsing themes. Feb. 15, 2022 Apple Speech-to-Text You can Control your Mac and apps using Voice Control! When you turn on Voice Control on your Mac, you can dictate text and speak commands to edit text, navigate the desktop and apps, and control your Mac -performing tasks such as scrolling in a document or pressing a button. Voice Control is always listening for commands so there’s no need to get its attention - just say a command. Just say “command mode” and your apple device will respond to commands such as ““Open Mail”, “Click Done”, “Scroll down”, and “Move cursor right 5 pixels”. All you have to do is say “Dictation Mode” to switch back to voice to text. Jan. 25, 2022 Bookshare: A Benetech Initiative Technology Tuesday: Bookshare is a great resource for anyone with a disability that impacts their ability to read. It provides free, unlimited access to ebooks for U.S. schools and qualified students. Qualifying disabilities include dyslexia, blindness, low vision, retinitis pigmentosa, cerebral palsy, and more. Books are accessible in a variety of formats, including audio, braille, follow-along text with karaoke-style highlighting, and the ability to change font size, color, and background. Therese Ajtum-Roberts, the Center Coordinator shares her experience setting up a Book Share account in an informative YouTube video . Nov. 9, 2021 Color Analyzer It is a free color contrast checker tool that helps to ensure that web content meets accessibility standards. It can be helpful for people with visual impairments or color blindness, as it ensures that text is legible and easy to read. April 19, 2023 MindNode MindNode free mind-mapping app allows users to organize their thoughts and ideas visually. It can be helpful for people with learning disabilities or cognitive impairments, as it helps to break down complex ideas into simpler, more manageable pieces. It is available on IOS & MAC devices for download. March 28, 2023 BARD Mobile Braille and Audio Reading Download, or “BARD,” is an application available on both IOS and Android devices for free. This application has a selection of audiobooks for those who may be blind, visually impaired, have disabilities that affect reading, or those who are unable to hold a physical book. In order to use the application, the user has to be a patron of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. In order to become a patron, the user must fill out an application available on the National Library Service website. Feb. 21, 2023 Assistive Technology Webinar The goal of Technology Tuesday is to share assistive technology that is easy to use as well as free or at a low cost for those who may need it. Understanding the importance of assistive technology and how to implement it in the classroom is vital for both families and educators. This webinar by Parents Helping Parents addresses what assistive technology is and how it can be helpful, provides an overview of what types of assistive technology exists, and how to effectively consider which ones are best for the student in need. Jan. 31, 2023 Starfall Education Starfall Education hosts a number of free and interactive games and songs for children learning reading and math skills. There are options for Pre-K through Kindergarten as well as for grades one through three. Though there is an option to buy a membership to this website, there are multiple free options still available for your child to learn from. Nov. 29, 2022 Rewordify This website allows users to paste text or a URL to a web page of text. The website will then translate the text into language that is easier for the user to understand. The user can select their reading level as well to get a version that is easiest for them to read. Nov. 1, 2022 Natural Reader Natural Reader is a free, online Text-to-Speech website that allows users to copy and paste text to be read aloud. The website also offers a number of free ebooks for users to listen to and read along with. The voice used in the website can be sped up or slowed down to suit the needs of any user. Oct. 11, 2022 Do2Learn This website provides resources to families, educators, and children to help promote communication, education, and life skills in a way that works best for the child. There are hundreds of worksheets available from resources for going to the doctors office to educational charts to planning to try new things. There are also songs and games to promote critical thinking and encourage children to engage in important conversations. Sept. 20, 2022 Smart Pens Smart pens allow students to take notes while simultaneously recording classroom discussions. The pen takes pictures of the notes as they are written. Smart pens save digital copies of notes that can be transferred to a computer. From the computer, you can review, search, and listen to your notes. Also, by simply tapping anywhere in your notes, the smart pen will play back what was said at that moment. Smart pens can help minimize the stress of processing multiple modes of information at the same time. They can be particularly beneficial to students who have dyslexia, ADD, and ADHD. April 26, 2022 Learning Ally The Learning Ally Audiobook Solution is a multi-sensory reading accommodation that assists students who struggle to read due to reading deficit. It is designed for students who learn through listening, such as students who have dyslexia or a vision impairment. The application offers over 80,00 narrated audiobooks and highlights words and sentences as they are read, allowing students to follow along. Learning Ally also allows educators to track students reading and provide progress reports using data dashboards and progress monitoring tools. It is available on PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, Android, and iOS devices. March 29, 2022 AEM Navigator The AEM Navigator facilitates the process of decision-making around accessible formats of educational materials for individual students. It assists teams in making informed, accurate, and multi-step decisions related to determining a student’s need for accessible formats, selecting the format(s) needed, acquiring materials, and determining the supports needed by the student, family, and school staff. March 1, 2022 TechMatrix TechMatrix is a database of hundreds of assistive and educational tools and resources to support learning for students with disabilities and their classmates. This database allows users to search for tools and resources using extensive criteria tailored to assistive and educational technologies. Feb. 8, 2022 Microsoft Word Dictate If you have Microsoft 365 with Windows 10 or 11, you can use the "Dictate" feature, which lets you write using a microphone and your own voice! Users can dictate in 13 different languages, including: Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian. In order to get started dictating using Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, all you need is to be connected to the internet, have a working microphone, and have your cursor in a text box in Microsoft Support You can find complete instructions to use this feature by clicking the linked title. Microsoft also has an accompanying video . Nov. 30, 2021 Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 12/13/2022 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.

Upcoming Events Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools Transforming Classroom Practices to Build Belonging Sign Up Join us for an engaging, in-person professional development experience focused on creating classrooms and schools where every student feels accepted, supported, and valued. Participants will leave with practical, classroom-ready strategies they can implement immediately: ✔ Inclusive and affirming language ✔ Responding to student needs without shame ✔ Supporting student self-advocacy ✔ Creating environments where neurodivergent learners belong Centered learners include: • Autistic • ADHD • Gifted/Twice-Exceptional • Learning-Disabled Featured Presenter Emily Kircher-Morris, M.A., M.Ed., LPC Educator, clinician, author, and host of The Neurodiversity Podcast, Emily specializes in supporting neurodivergent children, teens, and families and is nationally recognized for her strengths-based, affirming approach. The Science of Friendship — Practical Tools for Kids, Teens, and Adults Sign Up The Science of Friendship — Practical Tools for Kids, Teens, and Adults is free to attend. However, registration is required. We love being able to offer events for educators, caregivers, and mental health professionals for free. In order to support this mission, we ask that anyone who is able to donate to please do so by clicking this This webinar will help high school students and families, including those seeking support for disabilities or transitions, navigate the college search process with confidence. Participants will learn what questions to ask on campus visits, how to evaluate academic and personal supports, and what factors matter most in choosing the right college fit. Families will leave with practical tools and a reflection guide to support informed decision-making.

Early Intervention About Massachusetts Early Intervention Program This site holds up to date information regarding the Massachusetts Early Intervention Program along with its goals, eligibility requirements, and details about the services offered. This is a great first step for families looking to understand the basics about early intervention and home visits. Early Intervention: FAQ Answered This document from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health introduces parents and caregivers to the process of receiving Early Intervention’s family-centered services, including details about infant and toddlers’ eligibility, how to make referrals, the steps involved in evaluations, and the basic breakdown of who, where, and how the EI services are offered. Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 03/02/2026 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.