Embrace Your Inner
Geek
Accessing Higher Ground 2012
Wink Harner
Mesa Community College
and
Heidi Scher
University of Arkansas
w
Get Your GEEK On!
“O O O”AT for Newbies:
w
Out-of-the-Box
Obvious
Obscure
Key Learning Outcomes
AT DISCOVERY - By the end of this workshop
you will be able to identify:
Out-of-the-Box: I opened it this morning,
not sure what it does, but all the parts are
there.
Obvious: I can see you have short fingers.
Is typing difficult? Dragon Naturally
Speaking might be a good option.
Obscure: Ooooo, I wonder if I could use my
)
smartphone for that?
Are You…
• New to the field of disability service
provision?
• Feeling overwhelmed and confused by AT?
• Feeling “technology-challenged”?
• Wondering how to start with confidence
as:
The NEW ADAPTIVE
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
w
WELCOME!
It’s your first day on the job, and this is
what your staff says to you:
“Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here.”
What you hear: “So, we heard you were an
AT specialist. Great. Tell us everything
you know.”
What you tell yourself: “I know enough to
get out of the road.”
)
A Natural Reaction
w
Uh oh. This does NOT look good! I’d better
“Get my GEEK on” and get out of the road!
Newbies’ Knowledge
• Newbies need basic knowledge of
software/adaptive technology applicable in
key, mainstream areas.
Remember:
• AT isn’t about disability
• AT IS about removing barriers and the
ability to accomplish tasks!
)
Key, Mainstream
Tasks & Resources
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
w
Manipulating/accessing print materials
Writing
Communication (aural or visual)
Simple scanning & screen reading software
Web resources & listservs for quick research
Publisher, textbook, and alt-text resources
Web-based solutions and online resources
Free & fee AT for LD
Community & state resources
Out-of-the-Box Basics - 1
• Check the device to
see what’s built-in!!
• Operating systems’
accessibility
options
• Available on iOS,
Windows, Android
)
Out-of-the-Box Basics - 2
• Computer screen access
- screen reader
- magnification
w
Out-of-the-Box Basics - 3
• Input data –
– variety of sticky key,
– one-handed keyboard
type programs,
etc.
from:
http://www.onehanded
keyboard.com/
)
Out-of-the-Box Basics - 4
• Writing on the computer
– dictation software,
– spelling (online or not),
– off-the-shelf options
that can also work
w
Out-of-the-Box Basics - 5
• Communication access
– captioning,
– transcription services,
– VRS (video relay service),
– Skype (for simple interactions)
• Organizing/planning
Mindmapping –
does it hurt?
)
Mindmapping
Painless, Helpful & Even Fun!
)
Mindmapping
Example for Students
• Live demonstration - FreePlane
)
Mindmapping - Example
)
Mindmapping - Example
)
Obvious
w
1. Scanning & screen reading software: OpenBook
2. Reading, writing & study tools: Read&Write
Gold, WYNN, Kurzweil,
3. Screen reading software: Natural Reader,
Adobe Reader, JAWS, MAGic, ZoomText
4. Mind mapping (organization & brainstorming):
Inspiration
5. Captioning (video): Camtasia, MAGPie
6. Educational transcription: C-Print, Typewell
7. Use of iPhone & SmartPhone technology + free
apps!
Obscure
w
• Scan & read tools: Play Books
• Screenshot reader
• Reading, writing & study tools: Balabolka,
TextAloud
• Screen reading software: NVDA
• Dictation: (for smartphones – Remote
Bluetooth for Android) [DNS website, scan
barcode, click activate]
• Note cards, flash cards, calendars, tasks,
mind-mapping [organization & brainstorming]
(FreePlane, MindJet, iMindMap), etc.
Out of the Cloud
Web resources
Listservs for quick research
Publisher/textbook & alt text resources
Web-based solutions & online resources
(ex: effective GOOGLE search)
Exploring resources in your
community/state - PEPNET, AHEAD,
TAP Projects, Bridge for Independent
Living resources, etc. w
Out of the Cloud BRILLIANT!
SensusAccess is a self-service solution that automates
the conversion of documents into a range of
alternative formats including Braille, mp3, Daisy and
e-books. The service can also be used to convert
otherwise inaccessible documents such as image-only
PDF files or scanned images into more accessible
formats.
SensusAccess is intended as a self-service solution for
print-impaired students at universities and colleges
and complements the accessibility services usually
offered by educational institutions. The service can
also be used by faculty to convert lecture notes and
other educational material into accessible formats.
• http://www.sensusaccess.com/
w
Four Parts
1. Meeting With The Student:
Using task-oriented approach to
demonstrate how AT can help
2. AT Discovery
Guidance for the newbie and for
students
3. Identifying Resources
4. Networking & Sharing Resources
)
Meeting With The Student
Case Study #1
w
Joe comes to Disability Resources.
He reports difficulties associated
with ADD/ADHD such as:
• Taking class notes
• Unable to complete tasks/tests
• Distractibility
• Disorganization
Case Study #1: Joe
Joe relates the following areas of difficulties:
1. Class notes - he writes down everything or
very little as he can’t write & listen
2. Reading Assignments - doesn’t complete
readings (has to re-read, is slow, doesn’t
comprehend/remember what’s been read,
gets distracted by the ‘eye-candy’ layouts
on book pages)
3. Test - rarely finishes, runs out of time
)
Joe
4. Distractions - gets distracted by
others in class when they finish testing
5. Organization – he struggles with
getting organized for the semester &
completing large projects on time
6. Learns best by hands-on approach
)
Tools for Tasks
w
Difficult Tasks
Useful Tools
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1. Note taking tools (sync
audio recording with notes
taken) – apps, hardware
2. Required reading materials
in alternate format (fullDAISY, accessible PDF)
3. AT to read tests aloud
4. Mindmapping organization
(apps, software)
Taking class notes
Completing readings
Completing tests
Distractions
Getting organized
Meeting With The Student
Case Study #2
Cindy is referred to you directly from
Disability Services.
• Standard-size text print is not large
enough for her to read.
• Seeing the board and demonstrations
in class are difficult.
)
Roll Play Case Study #2
• Here’s how we roll….
)
KISS
When Talking With Students
Three Main Areas to Discuss with Students
1. Student’s Strengths
2. Opportunities
3. Areas for Growth
)
Strengths, Opportunities,
Areas of Growth
)
Know What You Don’t Know
• Do not be afraid of new stuff
– It does not bite, chase you, or jump out from
behind trees (well, it might sometimes).
• Embrace the geek within yourself (and others)
• Identify what you don’t know
– Helps you with opening doors to discover new
technology & techniques!
– (It’s OK to admit you don’t know yet!)
• Continuously build your resources and tools to help
in your learning process
w
Group Practice
w
Meeting With The Student
Case Study #3
Rob is a returning vet.
He reports having a trouble with memory
recall as well as PTSD episodes.
)
Meeting With The Student
Case Study #4
)
Marcia has limited use of her hands and
arms. She needs to be able to:
• have good notes from lectures,
• provide answers to tests,
• use a computer,
• access class materials (books,
handouts, etc) during classes
“Get Your GEEK On“
Sunglasses here!
w
Start hunting for resources!
AT DISCOVERY:
Guidance for the Newbie & for Students
)
• AT demonstrations “bring the AT home” to students
– better understanding of how/why to use AT
• Provide handout of technology options
– Students won’t remember all the details so give
them a reference
• List multiple options at different price points
– Options exist & aren’t always expensive
– Sometimes combo of free/inexpensive options
can be as useful as higher-cost options
• Ask students for feedback regarding what they use
and why they like it
Embrace Your Inner Geek & GO!
Learn how to use the technology!
After you find it, however simple or
complicated it may be, make sure you learn
how to use it or find someone who does.
- Get training (familiarity)
- Offer a variety of different
types of training to the students
w
Into the Classroom
• Unfamiliar with the classroom or how a
student might use technology appropriately
& effectively?
– Make time for field trips to classes!
• Request permission to attend class(es) as a
technology assessment observer.
• Take good notes.
w
– A LiveScribe Pen or Bamboo tablet are good
tools to take notes in the classroom.
– Both allow for sketches & drawings to help
assess needs.
Mission Possible Team Activity
Challenge, should you choose to accept:
Search and locate resources
to overcome barriers and
reach intended goal
)
Mission Possible Example:
Reaching the Goal
• Goal = Accomplishing reading assignments
• Barrier = hard-copy print
– Example questions to ask student:
• How do you understand things best?
• What makes reading easier?
• What have you tried?
• Does it help if you read out
loud to yourself?
• Resources & resolutions
w
Team Report:
Mission Accomplished
What resources and resolutions did your
team find?
)
Discovering &
Sharing Resources
• Don’t limit yourself to AT-specific information
only
– Resources can be found in unexpected places!
• Professional support organizations
• State & national entities
• Conference contacts
• Listservs & Websites
• DSS, AT, Technology, Sales, “Deals of the
day”, Teaching, etc.
w
Teach Others!
Campus resource: your college/university’s
faculty resource center
Engage them in training others by
offering websites, blogs, wikis &
workshops on the technologies
)
Thank You!
Wink Harner
Heidi Scher
Mesa Community College
Center for
Educational Access
University of Arkansas
foreigntype@cox.net
hascher@uark.edu