[Pibe-division] New Technologies & Web-Based Education - HowNew Guidelines Impact Our Kids
Lori
Lori at asmodean.net
Mon Jul 25 16:15:27 UTC 2011
Hello:
Has anyone had success justifying iPad or iPhone through rehab for either students or professionals?
Thanks,
Lori
----- Original Message -----
From: Dr. Denise M. Robinson
To: Professionals in Blindness Education Division List
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Pibe-division] New Technologies & Web-Based Education - HowNew Guidelines Impact Our Kids
Ah Eric
You have hit a major nail on the head. You are correct about the IPAD as a wonderful tool and that a braille display can be added--I have noticed greater success with VI than total blind though. It is still very visual and total blind lose some aspects of its advantage. I believe this will change as it is marvelous right now and just gets better. The nail you hit was--teachers do not have this knowledge yet of this tool and oh so many others. They are very overwhelmed with keeping up with all the technology out there and not just knowing the technogoly but all the updates that go with it.
NO, absolutely not, do the districts and personnel know about the power of the majority of the technology that enables the blind to become independent and NO districts do not follow the access guidelines to make their websites accessible. This is more out of ignorance than anything else. I have worked with many to change this, but as you know, change is slow....too slow.
We have a long way to go---
Denise
Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.
Teacher of the Blind & Visually Impaired
TechVision-Independent Contractor
Specialist in blind programming/teaching/training
509-674-1853 deniserob at gmail.com
http://blindgeteducated.blogspot.com/
From: DrV <pumpkinracer at gmail.com>
To: Professionals in Blindness Education Division List <pibe-division at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 6:07 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
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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
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