1. Kathy Hicks August 3, 2013

2. What are ICTs? How can teachers and trainers make better use of technology Specialized software for learners Leveraging tablets and mobile devices 3. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information.**Blurton, C. (1999) New Directions of ICT-Use in Education. 4. Windows 7 includes the Ease of Access Center which makes it easy to customize a PC with the following accessibility features: Use the computer without a display Make the computer easier to see Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard Make the mouse or keyboard easier to use Use text or visual alternatives for sounds Make it easier to focus on tasksTo access these features, tap the Windows Logo key + u. 5. Every Mac computer comes standard with assistive technologies including features like: VoiceOver(screen reader) Zoom (built in magnifier) Dictation Invert Colors (higher contrast) Cursor size Screen flash (visual beep) Text to speech See handout on Mac keyboard shortcuts for Accessibility preferences 6. Tips for creating accessible documents: Use heading styles Add alt text for images and links Use captions for images in print or digital documents Fonts (Arial or Verdana) Use good colour contrast Do not use tables for design layout Do not use text boxes See Quick Reference Card on creating accessible documents in Word. 7. Tips for creating accessible presentations: Add alternative text to all images and objects Specify column header information in tables Ensure all slide have unique titles Use simple table structure Avoid blank cells for formatting Include closed captioning for videos 8. JAWS (Job Access for Windows and Speech) A screen reading program that helps low vision or blind users complete computer-based tasks. Instead of navigating with a mouse, JAWS uses keystroke combinations. 9. A scanning/reading program that converts print to electronic which can then be read to a user. Includes a study skills toolbar with options for highlighting, note taking, voice notes or bookmarks. 10. A word processor controlled by voice commands. The user speaks into a headset, and the words appear on the screen. Perform tasks faster than typing Used to create documents, launch applications, enter data, send email, fill in forms or browse the web. Speech recognition accuracy as high as 99 percent Useful for learners with the following conditions: Low vision or blindness Carpel tunnel syndrome or other musculoskeletal disorders Repetitive stress Traumatic brain injury 11. An enhanced magnifier that enlarges and enhances everything on the computer screen. Features include: Camera: Use any high-definition web cam to view and magnify objects onto a screen Enhanced web finder: search webpages for specific word or phrases. Flexible magnification and zoom features 12. A text to speech and word prediction software used along with standard word processing tools. Works with all commonly used programs like MS Office, Blackboard and any website. Provides prompts or cues to help choose words and self-detect errors Word prediction works even for misspelled words. Create special vocabularies (common or personal words and names) 13. Apple mobile devices come equipped with several accessibility features including: VoiceOver ( first gesture-based reader) Adjustable speaking rates Support for braille displays Zoom Invert colours 14. Evernote (Free) Take notes, capture photos or blackboards notes, record lectures, reminders Dragon Dictation (Free)- text to speech Penultimate (Free) take handwritten notes or draw pictures DropBox (Free) cloud storage Flashcardlet (Free) make your own study materials 15. Information and Communication Technologies have the potential to provide opportunities to engage adults with learning disabilities. Todays technology offers a range of everyday tools, specialized software, mobile devices and apps to help learners. These tools can be powerful in helping learners to overcome barriers and promote inclusiveness. 16. Exercise: Follow the steps on this handout to check for accessibility issues on one of your documents.Post your results on the forum. 17. Adobe (21030. Adobe Reference Cards. Retrieved from: http://blogs.adobe.com/accessibility/files/accessibility/assets/WordToPDFReferenceCard_v1.pdf AFB Consulting (2013). Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Guide: Creating Accessbile PDF from Microsoft Word. Retrieved from: http://wwwimages.adobe.com/www.adobe.com/content/dam/Adobe/en/accessibility/products/acrobat/pdfs/A9-accessible-pdf-from-word.pdfApple (2013). Accessibility Support. Retrieved from: http://www.apple.com/support/accessibility/getstarted/ Apple (2013). OS Mountain Lion: Shortcuts for Accessibility. Retrieved from: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10566 Blurton, C. (1999) New Directions of ICT-Use in Education. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/education/lwf/dl/edict.pdf Center for Accessibly Technology (2011). Accessible Technology Coalition. Retrieved from http://atcoalition.org/ Microsoft (2013). Microsoft Accessibility. Retrieved from: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windows7/ Microsoft (2013). Creating Accessible Word Documents. Retrieved from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/word-help/quick-reference-cardRZ102644124.aspx?section=8&CTT=114 Nguyen, M., Fichten, C., King, L., Barile, M., Mimouni, Z., Havel, A., & ... Asuncion, J. (2013). Junior / Community College Students with Learning Disabilities and Their Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED541388 Quillsoft (2013). WordQ TipSheet. Retrieved from: http://worksource.uwctds.washington.edu/Quick%20Reference%20Guides/WordQ_TipSheet.pdf Silver-Pacuilla, H. (2006). Assistive Technology and Adult Literacy: Access and Benefits. Retrieved from http://www.ncsall.net/fileadmin/resources/ann_rev/silver-pacuilla-04.pdfTeaching and Learning Centre, UOIT (2011). Microsoft Office 2010 Accessibility Tutorial: General Tips Accessibility Checker and Alt Text [Video file}. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXQU4zOV-Zk