Assistive Technologies
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The California community colleges Distance Education Access Guidelines for Students with Disabilities require that all web based instructional resources be WAI Priority 1 compliant. A large number of Priority 1 guidelines address access considerations for persons who are blind. Recently, web accessibility standards were implemented through the Section 508 Standards for Electronic and Information Technology. These standards identified methods to make HTML code more accessible to those using screen reading technology. However, not all of the standards are currently supported by screen reader technology.
Using a Screen-Reader on the Web
Videos/Podcasts | Accessibility | Computing @ UW-Madison
World Caption is a free Macintosh software program created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that makes it easy to add captions to any QuickTime compatible video. "From Where I Sit" is a powerful video series of eight CSU students with disabilities who share their experiences in the college classroom and a panel of faculty members responds to each student's story. WebAIM: Introduction to Web Accessibility This 11.5 minute video provides an overview of the difficulties users with disabilities face on the web and some of the motivations for web accessibility...Keeping Web Accessibility in Mind
Any item, piece of equipment, product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of dividuals with disabilities. Braille Embosser Output device used to produce the raised Braille dots on to paper. The Braille translation software program is required to convert text documents into Braille.
Section 508
Screenreader applications read aloud a variety of content formats via TTS, while other applications are designed for use with digital talking books. Other programs facillitate the use and management of digital libraries, convert files from one format to another, transfer files or e-books and related content between devices and accounts, etc. These software programs can create book management lists and categories, digital libraries, DTBs out of other content formats, transfer e-books and related content between devices and accounts, etc.
Software-Based Resources | National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials
Online Resources | National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials
These resources gather together a variety of information resources such as comparison, details, features, and supported formats of hardware designed for use with digital content. The Diagram Center , funded by OSEP, is an organization established to "create innovative technology solutions that solve social challenges" ( from the web site ). They have created a series of comparison tables that "present the features and functional testing results for ... devices or applications" including DTB and e-book hardware and software and image authoring software. The complete table of all comparison data can be viewed at the following URL: http://www.diagramcenter.org/index.php?
Hardware-Based Resources | National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials
See below for information and a compilation of sources of hardware-based resources for digital content. Sources gathered include freeware, open source, and commercial products; including handheld readers and players, hybrid devices, and more. If you would like to contribute to this compilation, email the AIM Center at aim.cast.org .Deaf & Hearing Impaired
There is no Section508 Validation service on the Section508.gov website, nor does GSA promote any validation tool over another. In addition there is no single tool that can review your site, find all the errors and fix them for you. Some tools have been known to report false negatives as well as false positives. The most thorough Section 508 compliance test of a website or web application must be completed using both automated and manual processes. Our compliance assessment process is a compilation of Section 508 standards, guidelines and best practices from industry and government agencies such as the Access Board, DHS, SSA, IRS, and others.
Section 508
Section 508
In 1998, Section 508 (Sec. 508) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was amended, requiring Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities—to provide “comparable access” to data and information for people with disabilities to those without disabilities. The General Services Administration (GSA) provides technical assistance to federal agencies and the general public in many forms such as, but not limited to, policy support, training, coordination, and showcasing of assistive technologies. The BuyAccessible/BeAccessible program is part of GSA’s commitment to provide standard processes and tools to support government-wide compliance with Sec. 508.Blind & Physically Handicapped
King County Library System -
The Xerox Reading Edge is a device ideally suited for patrons with vision impairments or those who are more successfull hearing, rather than reading. The Reading Edge scans printed materials (books, newspapers, magazines) and converts the text to synthesized speech, then reads it aloud. This device that converts text to speech is available for in-library use at the following locations: Magnification Equipment are devices ideally suited for patrons with low vision. The equipment scans printed materials (books, newspapers, magazines) and magnifies onto a screen.
Morse Institute Library - Natick, Massachusetts
Assistive Tools & Technology The Morse Institute Library offers a variety of tools and equipment to assist patrons with using the library collections and public computers, and also to borrow for home use. Available in the Lebowitz Meeting Hall for programs.The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template®, or VPAT®, is a tool used to document a product's conformance with the accessibility standards under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The purpose of the VPAT is to assist Federal contracting officials and other buyers in making preliminary assessments regarding the availability of commercial "Electronic and Information Technology" products and services with features that support accessibility. In January 2009, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the premiere industry organization for global IT accessibility, asked HiSoftware to develop a specification for an XML file that could be used for ITI's VPAT. In February, HiSoftware proposed two alternative VPAT specifications, which ITI reviewed with its membership over the following months, making its final selection this September.
Welcome to The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
A popular questionnaire tool that helps evaluate an independent living center's or other disability related organization's level of commitment to advocacy and systems change. Item # 97-1 Beyond Oppression: Feeling the Movement and its Power! December, 1996, 11 pages, $15. Makes the case that, as leaders, we must take the time to help others move from being held back and locked out by internalized oppression to moving toward adopting a rights-bearing attitude. Dealing with oppression means helping people move from destructive, depressing, internalized anger to focused, energy-enhancing, externalized anger.