School, University, IBM Partnership Helps Children Develop Communication Skills

Abstract

In Virginia, an innovative collaboration between the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), George Mason University, and ffiM Corporation has resulted in readingllanguage arts performance improvements for students with severe disabilities. The project is also providing much-needed encouragement for the children, parents, and teachers.Ellen, an B-year-old who has cerebral palsy, is a student at the FCPS Fairhill School, .which incorporates a special education center for students with special needs. At the start of the project, Ellen could not read, write, or speak in a way that could be consistently understood. Even her family and teachers sometimes could not understand her messages.