Subject: [Wash-at] Fall 2004 WATA Bulletin
From: Washington Assistive Technology Alliance (uwat@u.washington.edu)
Date: Fri Nov 05 2004 - 13:37:03 PST
WATA Bulletin: Fall 2004
Contents:
WorkSource Centers Are Now Equipped with Assistive Technology Tools and
Devices
New Online Course Provides Lessons on Accessible Information Technology
Calendar of Events
Assistive Technology in WorkSource Centers
Debbie Cook, Director, Washington Assistive Technology Alliance
The twenty seven WorkSource Centers and many of their affiliated sites now
offer a wide array of assistive technology (AT) devices for use by customers
with disabilities who are participating in employment seeking activities at
the centers. This resource is coordinated by the WorkSource Disability
Network, which is also responsible for other accessibility activities in the
WorkSource Centers.
What is WorkSource?
WorkSource helps people prepare themselves for the job market, by helping
them write resumes, locate employment, and acquire job-related skills. The
WorkSource Centers offer computer stations for job searches, informative
classes, and employment specialists. The Washington WorkSource website
(http://www.gotoworksource.com) contains information about the range of
services provided, eligibility, and WorkSource Center locations.
How will AT enhance participation in WorkSource for people with
disabilities?
Many WorkSource resources use information technology to convey and provide
information and services. For example, a WorkSource customer might use a
software program to complete an inventory of interests in regard to
employment; then use another software program to organize skills and
experience for a resume; and finally, use various websites to learn about
occupations or to apply for jobs.
The addition of computer access solutions, such as software for screen
reading and screen magnification for people who have visual impairments,
alternative keyboards and pointing devices for people with limited
dexterity, word prediction software for people who have limitations related
to dexterity or who have learning or cognitive disabilities, and adjustable
furniture to accommodate a wide range of individuals, will result in a more
equitable situation for many individuals with disabilities who want to take
advantage of WorkSource services.
In addition to computer access technologies, WorkSource locations now have
tools such as scanners and software that can assist with reading and
writing. They also have communication tools such as amplified phones, TTY
for customer and staff use, and assisted listening systems for people who
are deaf or hard of hearing.
How can I take advantage of the AT resources at Worksource?
WATA is currently assisting local centers to set up and configure their new
AT products, and we are providing training to staff. To date, centers in
Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, Bremerton, Port Angeles, Renton,
Vancouver, and Omak have received training, with more coming soon. In
addition, WATA has developed some online resources which will soon be
available to help staff and customers learn about the AT available at
WorkSource Centers.
WorkSource staff typically cannot provide assessment or training in the use
of particular AT. For this reason, customers who know their AT needs are the
best match for this new resource. Use of the products is limited to
WorkSource programs and services. If you're looking for work and want to
participate in the array of services offered to job seekers, we encourage
you to inquire about the implementation of assistive technology at your
local WorkSource Center.
New Online Course Provides Lessons on Accessible Information Technology
Cheryl Colehour, Continuing Education Coordinator, UW Center on Technology
and Disability Studies
What is information technology (IT)? How can it be made accessible? Are
there laws that govern access to information technology? Many people
involved with information technology implementation find these questions
confusing. The National Center on Accessible Information Technology in
Education (AccessIT) has addressed the need for guidance by developing a
free online course, Introduction to Accessible Technology in Education, that
provides an introduction to accessible information technology in education.
To identify gaps in the target audience's knowledge of information
technology, the faculty and staff at AccessIT interviewed people who give
presentations on IT across the country. This information was used to focus
the course as it was developed. The course was written by content experts,
mostly faculty and researchers at the University of Washington. Each
component of the course, including lessons, interactive content, and review
questions, was designed to be as accessible as possible.
To ensure accessibility, faculty and staff at AccessIT performed extensive
usability testing. The course was tested by people who use screen readers,
screen magnifying programs, alternate mice and other types of assistive
technology, as well as by people without disabilities. The course was then
released to a limited audience, who gave feedback on each lesson and the
course as a whole. The course was revised based on the results of the
usability testing and user feedback. The course is now available online.
It consists of nine lessons with many interactive features. Lesson one
addresses basic issues, such as the difference between information
technology and assistive technology. Lessons two through seven cover
accessibility problems and solutions, and relevant laws for web design,
distance learning, software, self-contained, closed products,
telecommunications and multimedia. Lesson eight explores how laws such as
IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA apply to accessible IT in education. The
final lesson provides an overview of approaches to and strategies for
influencing information technology accessibility policy in education, and
examines sample policies.
Interactive features include streaming video, hypothetical case studies and
review questions that allow students to review and evaluate their
understanding of lesson concepts. For example, lesson two, Accessible Web
Design, contains streaming video clips that demonstrate barriers to web
accessibility from the perspective of a user who is blind, and ways the
websites can be corrected. Lesson eight, Accessible IT and the Law, contains
two hypothetical case studies that describe situations in which accessible
IT could be provided, encourages students to think about possible solutions,
then discusses two possible outcomes for each case study.
This course is recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about
accessibility issues that relate to information technology and related law
and policy issues in education. This includes teachers, administrators,
policy makers and anyone else who is interested. Individuals interested in
taking the course can register
at:http://access-it-online.info/public/register.asp. For more information
email accessit@u.washington.edu.
Calendar of Events
Blazing the Trail: TASH 2004,
Nov. 17-20, Reno
The TASH conference is the largest and most progressive international
conference that focuses on strategies for achieving full inclusion for
people with disabilities. This invigorating conference, which brings
together the best hearts and minds in the disability movement, features over
450 breakout sessions, exhibits, roundtable discussions, poster sessions and
much more. For more information: TASH, 29 W. Susquehanna Ave., Suite 210,
Baltimore, MD 21204, 1-800-482-8274, 410-828-8274, or
www.tash.org/2004reno/registration/.
Technology, Reading & Learning Difficulties (TRLD 2005),
Jan. 27-29, San Francisco
Conference focus is utilization of technology for reading, learning
disabilities, staff development, adult literacy and more. Preview the latest
educational technology and try out software in TRLD's Software Lab. Attend
how-to sessions and hands-on workshops geared to actual classroom
applications. For more information: Educational Computer Conferences Inc.,
19 Calvert Court, Piedmont, CA 94611-3435, 510-594-1249, toll-free
888-594-1249, or www.trld.com.
Technology and Persons With Disabilities 2005
March 14-19, Los Angeles
CSUN's 20th Annual International Conference on Technology and Persons with
Disabilities is the longest-running and largest annual university-sponsored
conference of its kind. It is a major training venue for professionals
involved in the field of disability and technology. For more information:
Center On Disabilities, California State University, Northridge, 18111
Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330-8340, 818-677-2578 or
www.csun.edu/cod/conf/index.htm.
For calendar updates, visit the Web at:
http://wata.org/calendar.htm
_________________________________________________
Your feedback is welcome.
If you have comments, or mailing list additions or changes, please contact:
WATA Bulletin
Box 357920
Seattle WA 98195-7920
206-685-4181 (V)
206-616-1396 (TTY)
800-841-8345 (tollfree V/TTY)
206-543-4779 (fax)
e-mail: uwat@u.washington.edu
Visit our Web site at http://wata.org
The WATA Bulletin is supported by grant H224A3006 from the National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of
Education, to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Olympia, WA.
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