Assistive Technology for the Library Media Center

Jamilla ColemanStacey P. Flynn

Emily ReadMay, 2011

LBSC 690 – Dr. Rachel Bradley

Introduction

“Accessibility is more than just physical access to library services. It means that individuals with disabilities should be able to use and access all the same services and materials in the library as their non-disabled peers, either through alternate means or with assistance. . . .

Ultimately, in order to promote broad access for all patrons, librarians should consider the accessibility of their materials and services during the procurement and implementation process, and develop a plan to maximize accessibility for all patrons. “

"What is Accessibility?" American Library Association, 2006.

Stacey P. Flynn

Problem Statement

• We are a library staff in a middle school, and have been assigned the task of incorporating assistive technology to accommodate incoming students who have physical disabilities.

• For the students, we must meet various needs: One student is visually impaired; one has learning disabilities that make reading and comprehension difficult; and one student is deaf.

• Solutions will adhere to standard six of the Maryland Teacher Technology Standards, which states in part that teachers:

• Understand human, equity, and developmental issues surrounding the use of assistive technology to enhance student learning performance and apply that understanding to practice

• Apply assistive technology to the instructional process and evaluate its impact on learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities

• Possess the ability to operate portable word processors, accessible computer hardware and software, adapted keyboards, screen magnifiers, and other devices

• Identify devices that help meet the needs of different students

• Budget: $15,000

• Funding not guaranteed for the following year; initial large output of money required, but solutions should not carry the same expense year to year. Jamilla Coleman

Activities in the Library Media Center for 21st Century Literacy

Reading

Research and Search Strategy

Evaluation of Source Material

Note-taking Skills

Citation Skills, Digital Citizenship & Ethical Use

Participation in Group Activities

Reading Enrichment Activities

Stacey P. Flynn

Social & Psychological Criteria for Evaluating AT Competency & Independence Allows the student to master basic AT skills and be able to

advance to higher levels of skill acquisition Allows individual to strive for independence by alleviating

frustration and building confidence

Self-esteem & Peace of Mind Allows ways to support the student’s feelings of self-worth Allows student to contribute positively through participatory

learning and communicate with others

Skill Development & Specialization • Supports age-appropriate goal-setting Allows more productive functioning for learning activities

Lifelong Tools for Learning Accounts for upgrades in a rapidly developing field of products

Hopkins (2006)Stacey P. Flynn

Meet Mary Jo – a Student with a Learning Disability

What are learning disabilities?

What type of assistive technology is beneficial for students with learning disabilities in reading?

What are some ATs that can be integrated into the school library media center? Mary Jo

Emily Read

Emily Read

OCRs

Optical recognition devices with text-to-speech

Scanning capabilities necessary

Importance of Bookshare.org compatibility

Multi-sensory approach – visual/auditory

Ability to highlight words

Source

OCR Software

Kurzweil 3000 – single interface for viewing documents

Highlighting Example Toolbar Display

WYNN 4 Wizard – 4 color-coded rotating toolbars in program

Rotating Toolbars

Read and Write 10 GOLD – floating toolbars works within applications

Toolbar in Microsoft Word

Read and Write 10 GOLD Mobile – flash drive

Emily Read

Assistive Technology

Cost SupportMulti-use

IntegrationUDL

Kurzweil 3000 $525

free small group training at Envision Tech’s Bethesda office, HIAT on-site, online

through MCPS

Yes Yes

WYNN 4 Wizard

$995onsite, CD, online, through

dealerYes

Yes

Read and Write 10 GOLD

$645onsite, webinars,

conferences, CDs, videos, online

Yes

Yes

Read and Write 10

GOLD MobileYes

Evaluating AT Software for the Learning Disabled

Emily Read

Portable Devices

Playaways – portable battery-operated devices pre-loaded with digital books; one per devicePhotos

Audio Player - SanDisk Sansa Clip+ audio player; MP3 and WMA files can be

downloaded onto playerPhotos

E-reader with MP3 – Barnes & Noble NookPhotos

Emily Read

Technology Cost SupportMulti-use

IntegrationUDL

Playaway$30 - 70 per book

FAQs online, customer service

phone number and email

Yes (except hearing impaired)

Yes

SanDisk Sansa Clip+

$34+ per device

Quick start guide, online manuals and

videos

Yes (except hearing impaired)

Yes

Nook$149+

per device

Online support center with

users guide/videos

Yes Yes

Evaluating Portable Devices for the Learning Disabled

Emily Read

The challenge for a low vision user in the Library Media Center

IT’S A VISION-INTENSIVE WORLD

As part of the Library Media Center’s instruction, all tasks require the use of assistive technology for participation.

Even simple search on a website can be a challenge

The use of screen magnifiers, screen reading software and portable devices offer the low vision user equal access when paired with support and appropriate materials.

Stacey P. Flynn

Important Technology Solutionsfor Low Vision Users

The DAISY Consortium - Digital Accessible Information System developed by

a worldwide , open source initiative. DAISY allows the user to navigate print documents using a combination of XHTML and hierarchical authoring.

This markup language is the main ‘talking book’ language for eBooks Bookshare.org

Microsoft now supports DAISY with a “SAVE AS” function for Word & PowerPoint in 2010 version.

Stacey P. Flynn

Screen Magnification & Enlarging SoftwareMicrosoft Accessibility: Review of Current Microsoft Office 2010 with 21” widescreen monitor Screen resolution adjustable for high contrast Fonts enlarge feature with zoom magnifier DAISY ‘Save As’ feature for screen reading

WinZoom Portable USB …………………… $428.00 Portable for using on any PC Highest magnification – 35X “Font Smoothing” Eight viewing angles and styles Includes screen reader and online support/FAQ

ZoomText Software ……………………… ……$695.00 Quick contrast adjustment Highest magnification – 16X Includes screen reader software “Font Smoothing” Online support & FAQ Also available on USB for portability

Stacey P. Flynn

Screen Reader Software &Portable Players

Jaws Screen Reader …….. $ 1017.00

Kurzweil 3000 ……………..$ 525. 00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3KSTxDShZo

Read OutLoud………………..$369.00

AMIS - Free Open-Source……. $ 0

Victor Daisy Reader Portable…… $359.00

Stacey P. Flynn

Peripherals

Widescreen monitors really help when using magnification software

“Big Keys” keyboard ($130) with extra large fonts or a set of extra bold adhesive labels to convert a keyboard ($12.00)

Signage for the library

Slanted, adjustable desktop for keyboard and monitor

Stacey P. Flynn

Criteria for Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology

Cost SupportMulti-use

IntegrationUDL

WinZoom Portable

$428.00 Online No No

Kurzweil 3000

$525.00Tutorials, Online,

Yes Yes

Amis Screen Reader

Free Forums Yes Yes

Victor Portable DAISY

$359.00 Online No Yes

Office 2010 $500 Online Yes Yes

Stacey P. Flynn

• Deaf: Having a hearing loss in the severe to profound range

• Communicate mainly through sign language (ASL)

•“Many D/HH children perceive themselves as different because they wear hearing aids, cochlear implants and/or an FM system [a type of assisted listening device] and may have difficulty communicating with others.”

• Reading comprehension and writing depend heavily on aural skills

•Visual teaching aids are a must with Deaf/HH students

•It’s very important to employ techniques and provide accommodations and cognitive tools that serve the deaf student.

Abraham

Assistive Technology for a Deaf Student

Jamilla Coleman

Interact-AS for Educators

Automated closed-captioning software designed by the company Auditory Sciences, for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals

Load onto your computer or tablet PC

Text to speech / speech to text Words spoken by others are instantly displayed onscreen. The computer “says” whatever the user types or writes using a synthesized voice

Can be used in conjunction with videos that don’t have closed-captioning.

Usefulness in educational setting User can see a transcript of what is being said in the classroom. Transcript can

be saved as a Word file. Handwriting recognition

▪ No typing skills required▪ Easy to use socially or in alternate educational settings with a tablet PC or iPad:

Go on field trips or talk in the halls without needing a flat surface for your computer—just write with a stylus and the computer will speak aloud whatever you write

Image source: http://www.speechgear.info/sites/default/files/Interact-AS_User_Guide_v4-0.pdf

Jamilla Coleman

Additional Features for Interact-AS

Instantly translates conversations from an extensive variety of foreign languages Language learning capabilities make it a useful tool for

ESL learners Language needs can be altered as needed (geographical

area, relevant terms and dialect) If language needed is not available through software, a

live interpreter can be contacted

Document meetings: very useful for documenting required IEP meetings, in which teachers and parents discuss children’s Individual Education Plans.

Jamilla Coleman

Captioning

A system that allows a speaker's words to be displayed in the form of typed words on a TV set or a computer screen.

A student with hearing loss and adequate reading skills is able to access the same information available to hearing students during a video presentation.

Captioning benefits other students: ESL learners and students who have reading problems may also find it to be helpful.

Image source: http://www.ncicap.org/preview/cappic.asp

Jamilla Coleman

Providing Closed-Captioned Videos

▪ No rental fees; return postage included

▪ Video-described DVDs for blind or visually impaired persons also available

▪ Over 4,000 titles, including ones on topics in school subject areas and classic movies

▪ Educational titles come with lesson plans

▪ Example rentals: Internet & electronic research skills; Library Skills: Discovering New Worlds

Library media specialists should ensure that DVDs available in their collection are closed-captioned or come with subtitles:

Free DVDs with closed-captioning available through the Described and Captioned Media Program, a free-loan library media program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the National Association of the Deaf

Jamilla Coleman

Creating Closed Captions

Create captions for your original or pre-existing videos

Media Access Generator (MAGpie): open-source software package developed by the National Center for Accessible Media (MCAM) Free, downloadable Add captions, subtitles and audio

descriptions to your original work or to existing video files.

CaptionTube: Create captions for your YouTube videos or existing YouTube videos No software download necessary; sign in

with a Google account Google app

Video-record a lesson and then insert your own captions

Captioned recordings can be uploaded to YouTube, or downloaded to portable hardware like an iPad

Image source (top): http://webaim.org/techniques/captions/magpie/version2/Jamilla Coleman

PolyVision ēno InteractiveWhiteboard

An interactive whiteboard that uses Bluetooth technology Install the driver on a PC or Mac

No wires or cables required for installation.

Open technology: use any whiteboard software you like or regular software applications

When used with software, uses special pens to write; but can also be used as a regular whiteboard with markers.

Teacher can face students and be visible, instead of having his/her back turned to write on board. Deaf/HH students can read lips or hear without interruption.

Deaf students can learn visually, which is essential to educational success.

 

Engages all students Great capacity for interactive

learning Large size also benefits

visually impaired students

Image source: http://www.electronic-whiteboard.net/index/product/id/8982/

Jamilla Coleman

Criteria for Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology

Cost SupportMulti-use

IntegrationUDL

Interact-AS$800 (basic package - English)

Online,email

Yes No

iPad Wi-Fi + 3G 64GB Black

(two)

$829 each(educator’s

price)

Online, phone, in-store

Yes No

PolyVision ēno InteractiveWhiteboard

$2300Online tutorials,

webinars, phone

Yes No

Closed-captioning

Free Online Yes Yes

Closed-captioned

DVDsFree Email, phone Yes Yes

Jamilla Coleman

Teacher In-Service Day

Jamilla Coleman

• Teachers will receive electronic invitations to the training.

• Training will be held during professional development week in August.

Cost Breakdown

Jamilla Coleman

Grand Total = $9,585.00

Under budget by $5,415.00

Total does not include costs of shipping or other unforeseen expenses (replacement parts, installation, etc.)

Very possible to use remaining money to buy more than one software license or more hardware; to schedule multiple teacher trainings throughout the year; to purchase upgrades or add-ons; or to pay for any student assistance not provided by MCPS.

References and Resources

Emily Read

Assistive Technology Tools for Readinghttp://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/948-reading-tools.gs?page=1

Assistive Technology for Children with Learning Disabilitieshttp://www.frostig.org/pdf/ATguide.pdf

National Center for Learning Disabilitieshttp://www.ncld.org

Kurzweilhttp://www.kurzweiledu.com/default.html

Kurzweil Resources through MCPShttp://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/Krz_QG.shtm

WYNNhttp://www.freedomscientific.com/LSG/products/wynn.asp

Read and Write GOLDhttp://www.texthelp.com/page.asp?pg_id=10059

Playawayhttp://playaway.com/

SanDisk Sansa Clip+http://www.sandisk.com/products/sansa-music-and-video-players/sandisk-sansa-clipplus-mp3-player

Nookhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?PID=35699

References and Resources (cont.)

 

Stacey P. Flynn

American Library Association. (2011). Accessibility Basics for Librarians. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oitp/emailtutorials/accessibilitya/accessibility.cfm

High Incidence Assistance Team, Montgomery County Public Schools. (2009). Examples of Assistive Technology Available at MCPS. Retrieved from http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/ATbyTechModYr.shtm

Hopkins, J. (2004). Assistive Technology: An Introduction for K-12 Library Media Specialists. Worthington, OH: Linworth.

 Library of Congress, United States Government. (2011). National Library for the Blind and Dyslexic. Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/nls/

 Montgomery County Public Schools. (2010). MCPS Vision Program. Retrieved from http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/vision/technology2009.html#

 Parent to Parent of Georgia. (2011). Parent to Parent of Georgia. Retrieved from http://p2pga.org/roadmap/advocacy/educationlaws504students.htm

 Montgomery County Public Schools. (2010). MCPS Vision Program. Retrieved from http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/vision/technology2009.html#

Wojan, R. H. (, February  2006). Everyone's Invited: Way's to Make Your Library Welcoming to Children with Special Needs. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6302984.html

References and Resources (cont.)

Jamilla Coleman

CaptionTubehttp://captiontube.appspot.com/ Described and Captioned Media Programhttp://www.dcmp.org/ Doyle, M. (2002). Mainstreaming the Student Who Is Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Retrieved from http://www.handsandvoices.org/pdf/mainst_cal.pdf Interact-AShttp://www.speechgear.info/products/interact-as Interactive Whiteboards and Touchscreen Whiteboards by PolyVisionhttp://www.polyvision.com/ MAGpiehttp://ncam.wgbh.org/invent_build/web_multimedia/tools-guidelines/magpie

Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland Teacher Technology Standardswww.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/technology/techstandards/standard6.shtm

Uncredited image (young African-American boy)http://www.harrycutting.com/graphics/photos/children/african-american-child-FC5010-76.jpg