Transcript Accessible Technology on a Budget

Redefining Accessible Technology:
Accessible Technology on a Budget
Eric Wagenfeld MA., LLPC, NCC
Indiana University Purdue University
Fort Wayne
OBJECTIVES
By utilizing a combination of real world
experience, and current educational research,
this presentation will enable the attendee to
return to their institutions with new skills to
facilitate individuals with disabilities in gaining
enabling technology skills at low or no cost.
Redefining AT
Accessible technology can be defined as :
Any knowledge available to an entity that is of
the use in fashioning implements that enhance
or make equitable the process of learning
Alternate Examples of AT
A student come to the disability office, and
stated that she could not take tests with out
talking to someone. We bought a mirror, and put
her in a separate room which was electronically
proctored. She talked to herself in the mirror,
and the accommodation has proven very
successful.
Or This..
IPFW has many students who present with a
host of anxiety disorders. We have been
experimenting with the use of “calm sounds”
I.E crickets, tree frogs, babbling water.
The students listen through headphones while
they test. Students report liking the process, and
we intend to continue its use.
Why is this so important?
“Computer and information technologies have the
potential both to enhance the lives of people
with disabilities as well as to deny them equality
of access to education, jobs, and community
life.”
Fichten., et al., 2003
Research


Mitra and Steffensmeier (2000) found that a
computer-enriched learning positively correlated
with students’ attitudes toward computers in
general, and the role in learning.
Liu, Macmillan, and Timmons (1998) stated that
“students’ with positive attitudes toward using
computers have positive attitudes toward using
computers for their learning.”


Coombs, 1999 as cited in ( Fitchten, et al , 2003)
states “it is evident that computer technologies
can form “electronic curb cuts”
Ballantine, et al, 2007 “The results reveal a
statistically significantly over-estimation of
computer competence among the students
surveyed.”


“These trends have the potential to level the
playing field and provide individuals with
disabilities access to the same opportunities as
their nondisabled peers. This outcome is, of course,
contingent on persons with disabilities gaining timely
access to the technologies and adaptations they need.”
(emphasis added)
Fitchen., et al., 2003)
A Little About IPFW






IPFW is primarily a commuter campus of about 13,500
students
65% is 1st generation
High proportion of non-traditional older learners
800 students registered with Disability Office
500 Active in any given semester
IPFW has a large distance education program
“Anxiety becomes even more critical when
students are taking online courses. Past research
has shown that computer experience is a strong
predictor of whether or not a user will suffer
anxiety symptoms while using a computer.”
(Saade, et. al., December 2007)
What We Have Found


Students, who enter postsecondary education
possessing a functional level of accessible
technology skills, achieve higher academic
success with less self reported anxiety.
Students, who are open to training in applicable
technology, self report a greater sense of
optimism toward successful completion of their
programs of study.
Free or Low Cost Programs
Screen Reading
 Magnification,
 Organizing
 Study Skills Tools

Screen Reading Program
There are several Free or Low Cost Screen readers.
They Include but are not limited to…..
ReadPlease
Features Include:
 Free
 Multiple Voices
 Multiple Colors
 Multiple Fonts
 Reads Any Text That Can Be Copied To The
Clipboard.
TextAloud






Available For Around $ 30.00 USD
Font Control
Voice And Pitch Control
Converts Text To Sound Files
Supports Many “Real” Voices
Supports Multiple Text Formats
Adobe Reader




Free
Readily available
Can “scan and go”
Reads Secured Texts
OS Magnification Quick Tip
Most OS have Free
Programs
Virtual Magnifying Glass





Free
Open Source
Works On Windows, Linux, Free BSD and Mac
OS X
Multi-monitor support
Scale factor From 1x To 32x
Organization Tools
Virtually every free web based email client comes
with a calendar feature. Many can be customized
to send reminders to a smartphone.
Examples include:
 Yahoo mail
 Gmail
 Hotmail
Study Skills



RecallPlus
Free version available
Combines concept mapping of notes with
testing
Summary




Definition of AT needs to broaden
AT can be critical for student success
AT can be simple
AT does not have to be expensive
Where to Obtain the Software
Virtual magnifying glass:
http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/
TextAloud:
http://www.nextup.com/TextAloud/whatsnew.ht
ml
RecallPlus:
http://www.recallplus.com/index.php
ReadPlease:
http://www.readplease.com/
Bibliography



Mitra, A., & Steffensmeier, T. (2000). Changes in student attitudes and student computer use in
computer-enriched environment. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 32(3), 417 –
433.
Liu, X.,Macmillan, R. B.,&Timmons, V. (1998). Integration of computers into the curriculum:
how teachers may hinder students’ use of computers. McGill Journal of Education, 33(1), 51 –
69.
Coombs, N. (1998, February). The underprivileged and universal access to distance learning: Disabilities and
beyond. Paper presented at the 3rdannual EvNet Conference, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Fichten, Catherine S.; Barilee, Maria; Asuncion, Jennison Commentary: Computer technologies
and postsecondary students with disabilities: Implications of recent research for rehabilitation
psychologists. Rehabilitation Psychology. Vol 48(3), Aug 2003, pp. 207-214

C Ballantine, J. A., et. al., Computer usage and the validity of self-assessed computer competence
among first-year business students. Computers & Education v. 49 no. 4 (December 2007) p. 97690