Technology and the Disabled

By Dr. Steve BroskoskeMisericordia University

Many Types of Disabilities

• Visual acuity or perceptual problems.• Hearing impairments.• Cognitive impairments.• Physical disability/poor motor skills.

Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s)

Unrecognized Impairments

But you may have students in your classroom who have impairments that have not been recognized.

Impairment Is Relative

Too early/late.

Emotional.

Mind is elsewhere.

Tired.

Forgot glasses.

Feeling sick.

Universal Design for Learning

UDL (universal design for learning) prompts teachers to create teaching materials that will be accessible to ALL students, whether they have recognized impairments or not.

Why Should I Make EducationalMaterials Accessible?

• If you make information accessible to ALL learners…

You will help many students, and you will feel like an angel.

Why Should I Make EducationalMaterials Accessible?

LAWYERS

Public agencies and recipients of federal funds have to provide necessary modifications, accommodations and services for persons with disabilities so they can participate in activities and programs.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973Section 504

Ensure that users with disabilities can access and use the same computer applications and also communicate electronically with the same results as other users.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973Section 508

Technology-related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities

Act of 1988 (Tech Act)

Enables some individuals with disabilities to: have greater control over their own lives; participate in and contribute more fully to activities in

their home, school, and work environments, and in their communities;

interact to a greater extent with non-disabled individuals; and, otherwise benefit from opportunities that are taken

for granted by individuals who do not have disabilities

Individuals withDisabilities Education Act

Amendments of 1997

• Strengthens academic expectations and accountability for the nation's 5.8 million children with disabilities.

• Bridges gap between what children with disabilities learn and what is required in regular curriculum.

Windows Accessibility Options Available on Every Computer

Resizing the Screen

Hold the control key and spin the wheel on the mouse to resize the screen quickly.

Ease of Access Center

Making the PC Easier to See

Using the PCwithout a Mouse or Keyboard

Making the MouseEasier to Use

Making the KeyboardEasier to Use

Using Sound Alternatives

Speech to Text(Voice Recognition)

Start—control panel—speech recognition

Text to Speech(Screen Reader)

Start—control panel—ease of access center—use the computer without a display

Making It Easier to Focus

Young Computer Users

• What kinds of difficulties do young children typically encounter when using a computer?

• Which accessibility options could potentially help these young PC users?