Quarterly Journal of the Texas Technology Access Program

Transcription

1 June 2012 Vol 14 Quarterly Journal of the Texas Technology Access Program TTAP In this Issue Making Information Accessible to Everyone Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street Malden, MA Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a great time to learn how new technologies can help make information accessible to everyone. As e-readers and e-books become more common, these technologies have the potential to open doors for people with disabilities. This is especially important in schools and colleges, where technologies can enable students with print-related disabilities to easily read the same materials as their peers. For example, students who are blind can listen to text using the e-reader s built-in capabilities. Students with reading disabilities can make use of this same feature. Making Information Accessible to Everyone Latest News from the Device Loan Program Assistive Technology Q&A Abilities Expo Houston Spotlight on TTAP Demonstration Centers Tech Corner AT Websites What s on TTAP for Summer Just for Laughs Unfortunately, many digital materials are not accessible. This lack of accessibility can make it difficult for students with disabilities to fully participate in educational programs. To address this problem, schools can turn to some new resources published by CAST, a Massachusetts organization internationally recognized for its expertise in this area. ( ) CAST is suggesting that schools assert their power as purchasers to ensure that e-book developers design their materials for all users. When schools include accessibility as a decision factor in purchasing, developers will have no choice but to listen and take action. As a result, schools will have a greater variety of high quality materials to choose from, and students with disabilities will benefit. As an added bonus, many students without disabilities will also benefit from the supportive features included in accessible materials. Latest News from the Device Loan Program The TTAP device loan program offers a wide variety of communication aids. We recently added a number of new devices to be more comprehensive in meeting people's needs. The new additions include simple to use devices, as well as some more sophisticated technology, in a variety of formats. This includes picture-based and speech generating equipment. We have devices available from many manufacturers such as Dynavox, Prentke-Romick, and Tobii to name a few, as well as a variety of applications for the ipad. We offer devices for all ages and

2 will be adding more communication devices through the year. Check out our website at for a full list of items available for loan. Don t see what you re looking for? Submit a recommendation! For more information, contact: John Morris Assistive Technology Coordinator (512) jcmorris@austin.utexas.edu Assistive Technology Q&A Q: Are there any free text-to-speech programs? A: Yes, several. Both Windows and Mac come with a text-to-speech option built in and there are several that offer a free version which can be downloaded to your computer. NaturalRead 10 has a free version. Just make sure your computer meets the minimum specifications noted. TTAP Exhibit at Abilities Expo Houston in August Join TTAP August 3-5 at Abilities Expo Houston at the Reliant Center, Hall E. Abilities Expo is the trusted source where people with disabilities, their families, seniors, vets, caregivers, and health care professionals gain knowledge and empowerment (and have a little fun!). For more than 30 years, Abilities Expo has also provided an excellent forum for companies with disability products and services to reach out and enhance the lives of this Community. Open Fri. 11a-5p; Sat. 11a- 5p; and Sun 11a-4p. Admission is free!

3 Tech Corner: Outfit7 for iphone, ipod Touch, and ipad Free-$0.99 This is a great app for children with autism. Talking Tom, Talking Rex, and more If you say, "hello," Rex will say "hello" in dinosaur voice. If this little creature is going to imitate everything they do from tongue raspberries to words, then kids will spend more time vocalizing to the creature and that s more time they re practicing, learning how to vocalize and how to say things. Talking for this population is probably one of the most difficult things they can do. --Lindajeanne Schwartz

4 Spotlight on TTAP Demonstration Centers Heart of Central Texas Independent Living Belton, TX 222 E. Central Ave. Belton, TX O: F: Heart of Central Texas Independent Living Center (HOCTIL) provides services that promote independence for persons of all ages with all disabilities to realize their choices, options, and abilities. Services focus on: Your Life.Your Way. Advocacy for Individuals and Systems Change Information, Resources, and Navigation Peer Support, such as adaptive recreation and/or sports Fitness, Health, and Self Management Skills Training Employment and Training Services Community Living and Transition Services Benefits Counseling: SSI SSDI, Medicaid, and Ticket to Work Assistive Technology Demonstration Site Community Collaboration, and HOCTIL COOL TOOLS Store Cool Tools are items that can enhance one s life/lifestyle. HOCTIL has other services, activities and various trainings such as tools that advance employability, tools for learning the computer, tools to increase knowledge of Health, Wellness, and Fitness, and more. HOCTIL listens to what you want, for things that can advance your life. HOCTIL assists you in setting priorities and increasing your knowledge of options available to you. For more information, please visit their website: Funded in part by a grant from the Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration.

5 Websites for Assistive Technology Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) The Alliance for Technology Access to make technology a regular part of the lives of people with disabilities. The Alliance is a national network of 41 technology resource centers which help children and adults with disabilities, parents, teachers, employers, and others to explore computer systems, adaptive devices and software. Closing The Gap Closing The Gap, Inc. is an organization that focuses on computer technology for people with special needs through its bi-monthly newspaper, annual international conference, and extensive website. Disability & Technology: A Resource Collection This page contains links to websites that focus on disability and technology. Most sites will refer to assistive/adaptive devices that are computer-based and/or related to computer access. However, since assistive technology can include any device that improves function, other technologies are mentioned on many pages. DREAMMS for Kids, Inc. DREAMMS for Kids, Inc. (Developmental Research for the Effective Advancement of Memory and Motor Skills) is a non-profit parent and professional service agency that specializes in Assistive Technology (AT) related research, development, and information dissemination. DREAMMS is committed to facilitating the use of computers, assistive and adaptive technologies, and quality instructional technologies for students and youth with special needs in schools, homes, and the community. EASI - Equal Access to Software and Information - K12 Connection The philosophy behind EASI's K12 Information Technology Centre is to ensure students and professionals with disabilities must have the same access to information and resources as everyone else. Early Connections - Technology In Early Childhood Education Connecting technology with the way young children learn: resources and information for educators and care providers. LD Resources This site contains resources for people with learning disabilities, with a focus on the use of assistive technology to help individuals with learning disabilities become successful.

6 What s on TTAP for Summer June 30 - July 5 NFB National convention Hilton Anatole Hotel Dallas, TX July 6 14 American Council of the Blind National Convention Louisville, KY ACB national office (202) or (800) , July AHEAD Conference 2012 New Orleans, LA (704) August 3-5 Abilities Expo Houston 2012 Reliant Center Houston, TX

7 Just for Laughs TTAP values your input. If you have a The University of Texas at Austin Texas Center for Disability Studies Commons Learning Center Burnet Road Austin, Texas If you have any suggestions, comments, or article you would like to have included in our newsletter, please contact us: (512) /rogerlevy@austin.utexas.edu (512) /jcmorris@austin.utexas.edu (512) /dwest@austin.utexas.edu (512) /srthomas@austin.utexas.edu TTAP Demonstration Centers Full Demonstration Centers Paso Del Norte Children s Development Center, El Paso Ability Connection, Dallas Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth Easter Seals of Greater Houston Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living, Corpus Christi Computer Access Demonstration Centers RISE Center for Independent Living, Beaumont Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living, Bryan East Texas Center for Independent Living, Tyler Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, Austin Brazoria County Center for Independent Living, Angleton Helping Hands, Amarillo Not Without Us, Abilene

8 Portable Computer Demonstration Centers REACH Center for Independent Living, Plano Houston Center for Independent Living, Houston Heart of Central Texas Independent Living Center, Belton VAIL Valley Association for Independent Living, McAllen