<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">Ah Eric</SPAN></div>
<div style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">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.</SPAN></div>
<div style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">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.</SPAN></div>
<div style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto"></SPAN> </div>
<div style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">We have a long way to go---<VAR id=yui-ie-cursor></VAR></SPAN></div>
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<DIV style="RIGHT: auto"> </DIV>
<DIV style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Brush Script MT'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 18pt"><FONT style="RIGHT: auto" color=#4040ff> Denise </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Brush Script MT'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 18pt"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV>Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D. <BR>Teacher of the Blind & Visually Impaired<BR>TechVision-Independent Contractor</DIV>
<DIV>Specialist in blind programming/teaching/training</DIV>
<DIV>509-674-1853 <A href="mailto:deniserob@gmail.com" rel=nofollow target=_blank> deniserob@gmail.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://blindgeteducated.blogspot.com/" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://blindgeteducated.blogspot.com/</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px">
<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 0; MARGIN: 5px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0px; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=hr contentEditable=false readonly="true"></DIV><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> DrV <pumpkinracer@gmail.com><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> Professionals in Blindness Education Division List <pibe-division@nfbnet.org><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Friday, July 22, 2011 6:07 AM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re: [Pibe-division] New Technologies & Web-Based Education - How New Guidelines Impact Our Kids<BR></FONT><BR>
<DIV id=yiv437475524>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Hi,</SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The direct links are below.</SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Sincerely,</SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Eric</SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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" rel=nofollow target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-20100629.html</SPAN></A>.</SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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" rel=nofollow target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-ebook-faq-201105.html</SPAN></A>.</SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue"><A href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-ese.html" rel=nofollow target=_blank>www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-ese.html</A></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR></SPAN></div>
<div style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</SPAN></div><BR>
<DIV class=yiv437475524gmail_quote>On Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 10:20 PM, DrV <SPAN dir=ltr><<A href="mailto:pumpkinracer@gmail.com" rel=nofollow target=_blank ymailto="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=yiv437475524gmail_quote>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Hi everyone,</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I would greatly appreciate clarification on Department of Education's New Accessible Technology Guidelines.</SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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" rel=nofollow 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="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </SPAN><SPAN style="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" rel=nofollow 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" rel=nofollow 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" rel=nofollow target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: none">Dear Colleague letter</SPAN></A>.</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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" rel=nofollow 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" rel=nofollow 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="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How are VI programs & SELPAs addressing this with school districts?</SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How are district superintendents, school principals, & classroom teachers being inform of requirements?</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Is the message getting to those at the top? (District superintendents & school principals?) If so how?</SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">How effectively is this filtering down to the classroom teachers?</SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="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></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I look forward to your insights, experiences, thoughts, & comments.</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Respectfully,</SPAN></div>
<div class=yiv437475524MsoNormal><SPAN style="LETTER-SPACING: -1pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Eric</SPAN></div></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Pibe-division mailing list<BR><A href="mailto:Pibe-division@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:Pibe-division@nfbnet.org">Pibe-division@nfbnet.org</A><BR><A href="http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/pibe-division_nfbnet.org" target=_blank>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/pibe-division_nfbnet.org</A><BR>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Pibe-division:<BR><A href="http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/pibe-division_nfbnet.org/dmehlenbacher%40yahoo.com" target=_blank>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/pibe-division_nfbnet.org/dmehlenbacher%40yahoo.com</A><BR><BR></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></div></div></body></html>