E-Maginarium - NDCO assistive technologies and accessibility - Liz Reid

E-Maginarium - NDCO assistive technologies and accessibility - Liz Reid

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  Liz Reid
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  Assistive Technologies &Accessibility E-MAGINARIUM NT Friday 9th December 2011
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  Program overview TheNational Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program uses an Australian –wide network of 31 officers to provide information, coordination and referral services for people with a disability who are looking for (or enrolled in) post-school education and training, to help them gain employment
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  NDCOs provide… • Information, coordination and referral activities for people with a disability • Assist local education providers to provide better services for people with a disability • Link individuals and organisations to local support services • Raise awareness amongst education providers and the general public of the issues facing people with a disability
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  What does Accessibilityreally mean?
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  Definition of disability •Physical (paraplegia, mobility impairment, back injury) • Sensory (Sight, hearing) • Chronic Medical Conditions (MS, Diabetes) & Chronic Pain (Juvenile arthritis, back injury) • Writing Impairments (RSI, Broken Arm) • Intellectual ( Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome) • Learning Disability (Dyslexia, Written expression,Mathematics disorder ) • Communication (verbal & non verbal) • Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome) • Psychiatric / Psychological • Past, present & future disabilities
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  Disability is notso much an attribute of the individual as of the social and physical environment in which he or she lives. The nature of the disability experienced by the individual can be moderated when environments and practices are designed to be inclusive.
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  Assistive Technology Developments inAssistive Technology have significantly improved opportunities for access to information and education for people with disability.
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  Assistive Technology Definition Assistive Technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes devices, tools, hardware & software. AT promotes greater independence and enable people with disability to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
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  Assistive Technology
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  JAWS Screen Reader- Hear an Example Experience how a JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reader works on the home page of the Handbook for Museums and Educators. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK97XMibEws&feature=rel ated
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  Universal Design
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  Our Legislative Responsibilities Legislation Guidelines Commonwealth Legislation Web content Accessibility Guidelines (W3R) • Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Weblink: – Disability Standards for http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/ Education 2005 Territory Legislation • NT Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 Australian Flexible Learning Framework: Universal Design Weblink: Http://pre2005.flexiblelearning.net.au/g uides/universal.html
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  Looking at theJ K Rowling website with the Jaws screen reader The J K Rowling website is created using Flash, and has a standard and an accessible version. This video shows how the two versions differ for blind users using the Jaws screen reading software. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1xxAgVat64&feature=relate d
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  Assistive Freeware There isan increasing availability of good quality free assistive technology software available. EduApps:- Http://www.eduapps.org/ - Free, portable programs - Includes free Text to Speech program Balabolka - Each receive a copy of AccessApps program (downloaded from this website)today on USBs provided
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  Points to consider •Each student’s needs are different and should be individually evaluated to ensure successful outcomes. • The merging of AT –features useful for a wider audience not just people with disability • There is no ‘wonder tool’ –rather a toolbox is needed
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  Contact For Information Contact: National Disability Coordination Officer - NT Narelle Higginson [email protected] Telephone: (08) 89466288