"The number one question I receive from parents and professionals is what software is best for their learner," explains Pugliese, a nationally recognized speaker and authority on assistive technology. "I wrote Stages so that people who need to identify software that is appropriate for learners with special needs have a place to start in finding their way through the many wonderful software choices," Pugliese adds. The Stages book guides you through the seven stages in a learner's educational and language development, defines characteristics of a learner in each stage and lists the most appropriate special needs software for a learner in that stage. The book is comprehensive, recommending over 200 software titles from 39 different manufacturers.

Madalaine Pugliese has over 27 years of experience in public education and recently received Apple Computer's 1999 Distinguished Educator Award, as well as recognition from Microsoft in the same year. She is the Director of the Assistive Technology Project for the Massachusetts Department of Education and directs the Assistive Technology program at Simmons College.

Assistive Technology, Inc. serves the disability and special education markets by providing innovative software and hardware solutions for people with special needs and for the professionals who work with them. ATI's breakthrough products include the tablet-style Freestyle™ computer, the LINK, the "smart" keyboard that talks, and EvaluWare™ and Stages software for professionals and parents.