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The computer holds out a world of possibilities for people facing all kinds of learning and physical differences. But finding out about those possibilities can be a chore in and of itself. A book that can help is Computer and Web Resources for People with Disabilities: A Guide to Exploring Today's Assistive Technology, 3rd Edition, written by The Alliance for Technology Access, a network of community-based resource centers for disabled children and adults. It's geared to help individuals at any level of impairment - from learning disabilities, to vision and speech impairments, to complete paralysis - make use of and find support groups. The book explores the many options available in today's advanced world of technology, always with an eye to improving the quality-of-life for those either permanently or temporarily impaired. It's filled with lots of down-to-earth advice and listings of Web resources covering a wide range of topics including publications, support organizations and vendors.

Recognizing that an individual's particular needs can't be pigeon-holed into any particular disability, this book is arranged into three distinct sections. Part I helps the reader define his or her particular needs in order to build a personal technology plan. To help identify the strategies and steps involved in a technology plan, this first section is filled with inspiring testimonies and stories describing how individuals of all ages use adaptive computer devices to enhance their own abilities. Part II serves as a guide to the technology available for succeeding in individual plans and needs, and Part III provides a guide to resources, references and support organizations, including email and web addresses.

The text asks and answers a wide variety of the questions many disabled individuals, family, or support members may have about today's technologies. It also helps answer important questions about personal technology goals such as: What do you want to do? What do you need to do? What are the personal issues of each user, such as hearing and vision level, cognitive ability, physical ability, and mobility? In addition, goals are categorized into areas of education, employment, communication, living more self-sufficiently and recreation - all depending on where an individual's personal needs or interests lie.

This book is a few years old now, but it still is the most comprehensive look at formulating a plan for using conventional and assistive technologies that is available. While other technologies have been introduced since it was published, it includes a series of Web sites of established organizations that can help individuals find out about the newest technologies available. It doesn't have all the answers - that's because technology opens up new doors everyday - but it is an excellent place to start in any quest to find out how what technology is right for you or someone you love or support.