[blindkid] Defining the Term ³Accessible² in the Digital Education Era

[Penny Duffy]

I have always understood it to mean someone isn't able to access it because
it just visual.  I think there is two streams here that which should always
be accessible or made accessible for the student and the things that simply
can't be made accessable and that's 'ok'   For instance a print book isn't
accessible for many blind students but it can be. 1. Someone can read it
but than its not reading or it can be transcribed into braille. My daughter
has a para educator and I remind the school often that she making Abby's
education more accessible not be her 'baby sitter'.

Its scary out there with all the new technology and many times the people
are not trained much less trained to bring access to a blind student. My
daughter is it 3rd grade and all the students have ipads in the school. Its
been a confusing adjustment.

I do think there is wording to what has to be made accessible but I am
clueless about that.

_Penny
On Jan 26, 2013 11:04 AM, "DrV" <icdx at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Hi All,
> Education is moving more & more into the digital realm.
> Students of all ages are being asked or required to access teacher
> websites,
> web-based calendars, and are being directed to watch on-line videos clips,
> download assignments, upload assignments, or perhaps blog.
> Some districts have adopted digital textbooks, other are seriously planning
> to do so.
> Some students are being expected to do on-line drills.
> An increasing number of students are starting to be tested using on-line
> quizzes & tests, including for math & foreign languages.
> Many school districts are creating Technology Departments & Committees to
> address & some are trying to standardize their districts digital education
> needs & operation.
> A student¹s performance & grade is increasingly being assessed based on
> their digital performance.
> There are many tools young blind & low vision students can use to access
> what they need.
> What information is ³visible² on a given website can vary depending on the
> tool used to access it; the same website may look very different to a
> student using a Braille Notaker vs iphone vs ipad vs laptop with JAWS vs a
> Mac laptop.
> This is no longer an issue just for students at the upper grade levels, but
> also in the early education years down to kindergarten & preschool.
> As parents, vi professionals, & students interact with classroom teachers &
> with school districts they need to figure out how accessible things are.
> This is not an academic or philosophical question, but rather a very real
> issue.
> Given the spectrum of tools & age groups pre-k through grad school, has
> anyone come across an accepted working definition of what ³accessible² now
> means?
> I look forward to your thoughts, insights & discussion.
> Respectfully,
> EricV
>
>
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