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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Hi Eric,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Sally Thomas</FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=pumpkinracer@gmail.com href="mailto:pumpkinracer@gmail.com">DrV</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pibe-division@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:pibe-division@nfbnet.org">Professionals in Blindness Education
Division List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, July 22, 2011 8:07 AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Pibe-division] New
Technologies & Web-Based Education - How New Guidelines Impact Our
Kids</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Hi,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.)</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">If someone
who is well-informed about this could take the time to elaborate & share
some specifics, that would be greatly appreciated.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The direct
links are below.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Sincerely,</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Eric</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">1. June 29,
2010 US Department of Education Dear Colleague letter: <A
href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20100629.html"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue">www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20100629.html</SPAN></A>.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">2.
Guidelines in the form of Frequently Asked Questions: <A
href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-ebook-faq-201105.html"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue">www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-ebook-faq-201105.html</SPAN></A>.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">3. May 26,
2011 second US DOE Dear Colleague letter stating that the same legal
obligations apply to elementary and secondary schools:</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><A
href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-ese.html">www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-ese.html</A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0px" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</SPAN></P><BR>
<DIV class=gmail_quote>On Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 10:20 PM, DrV <SPAN
dir=ltr><<A
href="mailto:pumpkinracer@gmail.com">pumpkinracer@gmail.com</A>></SPAN>
wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Hi
everyone,</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I
would greatly appreciate clarification on Department of Education's New
Accessible Technology Guidelines.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">For
those that may have missed it, there was a posting on the NFB website in
late May (<A href="http://www.nfb.org/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=804"
target=_blank><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: none">www.nfb.org/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=804</SPAN></A>)
stating that</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">the
US
Department of Education issued a <A
href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20100629.html"
target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: none">Dear
Colleague letter</SPAN></A> 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 <A
href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-ebook-faq-201105.html"
target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: none">Frequently
Asked Questions</SPAN></A>, were issued to supplement the
department’s <A
href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20100629.html"
target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: none">Dear
Colleague letter</SPAN></A>.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The
May NFB Immediate Release Bulletin (<A
href="http://www.nfb.org/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=804"
target=_blank><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: none">www.nfb.org/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=804</SPAN></A>) states
that the US
Department of Education issued a <A
href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-ese.html"
target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: none">second Dear
Colleague</SPAN></A> letter issued on May 26, 2011 stating that the same
legal obligations apply to elementary and secondary schools.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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. </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Can
someone explain in simple clear language what the DOE’s new guidelines mean
at the practical level for our kids/students?</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">It
would seem that each teacher’s webpage, the assignments they post, &
websites they suggest or require should have to be
accessible.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How
are VI programs & SELPAs addressing this with school
districts?</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How
are district superintendents, school principals, & classroom teachers
being inform of requirements?</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Is the
message getting to those at the top? (District superintendents & school
principals?) If so how?</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How
effectively is this filtering down to the classroom teachers?</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I wonder
how many of the above have really even heard of it - if not, that is a real
problem.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Is this a
"feel good" policy statement, or real policy that will be respected &
enforced - like say wheelchair accessibility which is taken more
seriously.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I
look forward to your insights, experiences, thoughts, &
comments.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Respectfully,</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Eric</SPAN></P></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR>
<P>
<HR>
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