Using Assistive Technologies to
Access Instructional Materials
DET/CHE Conference 2008
Presented by Melissa Repa, M.A.
Co-Director, Services to Students with Disabilities/
Interim Project Coordinator, Accessible Technology Initiative
California State University, Sacramento
Presentation Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
• Identify some of the assistive technologies
used by students with disabilities to
access instructional materials in
alternative formats
• Explore how assistive technologies and
instructional materials accessibility can
benefit learners and improve learning
• Learn about the collaboration and use of
resources involved in providing access to
instructional materials
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Background: CSU Accessible
Technology Initiative
To assist CSU campuses with the
implementation of Executive Order 926,
Disability Support and Accommodations
http://www.calstate.edu/EO/EO-926.html
“It is the policy of the CSU to make information
technology resources and services accessible
to all CSU students, faculty, staff and the
general public regardless of disability.”
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Assistive Technology &
Accessibility
Assistive Technology:
“products, devices or equipment… that are used to
maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities
of individuals with disabilities...” (Assistive Technology Act)
Accessibility:
“enabling IT hardware, software and services to be used
effectively by people with disabilities.”
(Mary Cheng, former Director of CSU ATI)
Complementary but different – both are necessary
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Assistive Technology
Demonstrations
 Screen readers are software programs that
present the screen and text as speech.
 Screen magnifiers are programs that allow the
user to enlarge everything on the screen
 Scan/read software scans information to the
screen and “reads" it aloud with text-to-speech
 Alternative input devices allow individuals to
control computers through means other than a
standard keyboard or mouse.
 Alternative formats include Braille, large print,
digital text file, MP3, or audio recording.
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JAWS Screen Reader
 JAWS Screen reader http://www.freedomscientific.com
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ZoomText Screen Magnifier
 Zoomtext Screen magnifier http://www.aisquared.com
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Kurzweil Scan/Read
 Kurzweil Scan/Read software http://www.kurzweil.edu
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Alternative Input Devices
 On Screen Keyboard, Microsoft
Accessibility –
http://www.microsoft.com/enable
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Limitations of Assistive Technology
Web sites, online instruction are unusable
with assistive technologies if not
developed with accessibility in mind
– What if the web page content is only accessible by
using a mouse? What would students do if they use
assistive technologies or can't use a mouse?
– What if the software uses all graphics instead of text?
If screen readers can only read text, how would
students using screen readers read the graphics?
– What if an online quiz is timed? What would students
do if they needed extra time to use assistive devices?
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Accessibility Benefits Many
60% of working-age adults (18 to 64 years
old) are likely to benefit from the use of
accessible technology
(http://www.microsoft.com/enable/research/workingage.aspx)
“Technologies such as voice recognition,
wireless communications and speech output
improve the ability to access IT for those who
have disabilities and are also increasingly in
demand by today's society seeking
convenience and ease of use.”
(http://www-306.ibm.com/able/access_ibm/qa.html)
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Leveraging Accessibility to
Improve Learning
• Multiple means of representation
• Multiple means of expression
• Multiple means of assessment
Universal Design pedagogical concepts
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Leveraging Accessibility to
Improve Performance
• Accessible technology can increase
usability and effectiveness of the tools and
thereby can improve performance of
students
Example: accessible electronic text
increases ability to search text
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Accessible Media Production
3. Student Obtains List of Materials
from Bookstore and Faculty
4. Staff Request Electronic Files from
Publisher, Faculty, or Repositories
5. If Files Are Not Available, Staff Scan
Pages One by One
6. Staff Edit & Reformat Each Page
7. Staff Convert Files to Other Formats
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Time Intensive Process
1. Student Applies to Office of Services
to Students with Disabilities
2. SSWD Staff Determine Appropriate
Alternative Media (e.g. E-Text, Braille)
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Accessible Technology:
A Team Approach
Bookstore
Academic
Technology
Information
Technology
Library
Students
Publishers
Services to
Students
with
Disabilities
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TEAM Approach:
Various units
working together no one team
member can act
as the single agent
for providing
accessible
instructional
materials
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Resources
• Accessibility at Sacramento State http://www.csus.edu/accessibility
• High Tech Center at Sacramento State http://www.csus.edu/sswd/services/htc.html
• CSU Accessible Technology Initiative http://www.calstate.edu/accessibility
• National Center on Accessible Information
Technology in Education (Access IT) http://www.washington.edu/accessit/index.php
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Recap & Questions
We Aimed To:
• Identify some of the assistive technologies used
by students with disabilities to access
instructional materials in alternative formats
• Explore how assistive technologies and
instructional materials accessibility can benefit
learners and improve learning
• Learn about the collaboration and use of
resources involved in providing access to
instructional materials
Questions and Comments?
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Contact Information
Melissa Repa, M.A.
Services to Students with Disabilities
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6042
E-mail: repam@csus.edu
Voice: 916-278-7821
Fax: 916-278-7825
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