[Pibe-division] New Technologies & Web-Based Education - How New Guidelines Impact Our Kids

Sally Thomas seacknit at gmail.com
Fri Jul 22 14:50:27 UTC 2011 

Hi Eric,

I have a couple of comments that aren't exactly what you are asking, but address a couple of your comments.  Connecting the braille display (notetaker or other braille device) to an iPad is very simple.  We took the braillenote to the Apple store to try it out and had it working in less than 5 minutes.  I wouldn't count on the school or TVI to figure it out--they seem way too intimidated.  Apple has made a commitment to accessibility and they even employs a significant number of blind techs.  We have been very impressed with their support people (not all of them but a large number).  David uses a MacBook and an iPhone and really likes them.  The problem arises when websites are not accessible.  This is a programming issue--not a hardware issue and does require that software creators be compelled to make sites accessible.  Our school district's website and peripheral software like registration and grade monitoring are not accessible.  I've mentioned this to the teachers and the head of the technology department and received blank stares.  Even if they are compelled by law to make things accessible, they will only do it when forced to--at least in our district that is the case.  

Sally Thomas 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: DrV 
  To: Professionals in Blindness Education Division List 
  Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 8:07 AM
  Subject: Re: [Pibe-division] New Technologies & Web-Based Education - How New Guidelines Impact Our Kids


  Hi,

  I had a request for the links to the letters & FAQ sheet, so apparently the links to the letters were not visible to all, thus I am providing those below.

  I have received a few responses - all but one have been requests for me to post the responses I get. One individual expressed that it was their understanding that schools must use accessible webpages & also pointed out that iPad are apparently very accessible & that braille displays and keyboards can be linked to an iPad for easier use. (This implies that VI teachers should now be well-versed not only in braille notetaker technologies, but familiar with the iPad, how it is used in the educational setting, & how to link it to braille notetakers for students to use – something else to add to VI teaching program curriculums if it is not already in place.)

  I must admit that while it is summer & many are on break, the shocking lack of responses means that either this is all old news that everyone is aware of - or something that is not common knowledge in the VI/blind communities. My concern is that if the VI programs are not familiar with this, then it is not likely that superintendents, principals, & regular classroom & teachers are likewise not aware of this.

  If someone who is well-informed about this could take the time to elaborate & share some specifics, that would be greatly appreciated.

  The direct links are below.

  Sincerely,

  Eric



  1. June 29, 2010 US Department of Education Dear Colleague letter: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20100629.html.

  2. Guidelines in the form of Frequently Asked Questions: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-ebook-faq-201105.html.

  3. May 26, 2011 second US DOE Dear Colleague letter stating that the same legal obligations apply to elementary and secondary schools:

  www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-ese.html




  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



  On Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 10:20 PM, DrV <pumpkinracer at gmail.com> wrote:

    Hi everyone,

    I would greatly appreciate clarification on Department of Education's New Accessible Technology Guidelines.

    For those that may have missed it, there was a posting on the NFB website in late May (www.nfb.org/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=804) stating that the US 
Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague letter on June 29, 2010 informing all college and university presidents that their institutions must be sure that emerging technologies that they plan to deploy to students are accessible to the blind and other students with disabilities. Guidelines in the form of Frequently Asked Questions, were issued to supplement the department’s Dear Colleague letter.

    The May NFB Immediate Release Bulletin (www.nfb.org/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=804) states that the US 
Department of Education issued a second Dear Colleague letter issued on May 26, 2011 stating that the same legal obligations apply to elementary and secondary schools.

    Over the last few years we have come across a number of websites at both the elementary & middle school levels that have not been independently accessible by the student. 

    Websites have included mandatory or (strongly recommended, but technically optional) textbook publisher’s supplemental websites – where concepts in chapter are elaborated on, as well as the classroom teacher’s individual webpages/calendars/assignments.

    Our eldest is transitioning to high school. Next year iPads will be piloted in some of the classes. I am a member of our school district’s Medical Advisory Board & at our meeting in May our new superintendent & one of the school board members were putting forth the concept of a paper bookless, paperless classroom in the near future – yes, they were very serious about this.

    Can someone explain in simple clear language what the DOE’s new guidelines mean at the practical level for our kids/students?

    It would seem that each teacher’s webpage, the assignments they post, & websites they suggest or require should have to be  accessible.

    It would seem that the calendar – assignment – grade posting programs that schools/districts use, such as Edline,  Grade Book Wizard, and others should be fully accessible.

    It would seem that the textbook publisher websites that have quizzes, study guides, and videos that the classroom teachers either recommend or mandate be looked at should need to be fully accessible.

    How are VI programs & SELPAs addressing this with school districts?

    How are district superintendents, school principals, & classroom teachers being inform of requirements?

    Is the message getting to those at the top? (District superintendents & school principals?) If so how?

    How effectively is this filtering down to the classroom teachers?

    I wonder how many of the above have really even heard of it - if not, that is a real problem.

    Is this a "feel good" policy statement, or real policy that will be respected & enforced - like say wheelchair accessibility which is taken more seriously.

    I look forward to your insights, experiences, thoughts, & comments.

    Respectfully,

    Eric





------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  Pibe-division mailing list
  Pibe-division at nfbnet.org
  http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/pibe-division_nfbnet.org
  To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Pibe-division:
  http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/pibe-division_nfbnet.org/seacknit%40gmail.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/pibe-division_nfbnet.org/attachments/20110722/56c0e4fa/attachment.html>

More information about the PIBE-Division mailing list