Category Archives: Accessibility & Usability

Supports to help make materials work for everyone

Auto Creation of Video Content

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NotebookLM from Google allows educators to design dynamic video experiences from self-selected content. Educators choose materials, load them to NotebookLM, and then create a video overview. The resulting video is similar to a slide deck with a human-like narrator. Here’s a sample video created by the Assistive Technology Specialist specific to accessible educational materials titled Unlocking Learning: AIM in VA. Once a video is created, educators can download the file to edit in a video editor (such as WeVideo) or share directly with learners if no edits are necessary.

Screenshot of the NotebookLM interface titled “AIM VA Navigator.” The screen is divided into three panels. On the left is the “Sources” panel listing seven selected documents, including AIM Considerations, Accessibility to Digital Texts and Beyond in LCPS, Digital Rights Manager, Eligibility Requirements, Home, IEP Documentation, and LCPS AIM VA Guidance Document. The center “Chat” panel displays a summary explaining Accessible Instructional Materials in Virginia, outlining eligibility requirements, roles of school personnel, and technologies for providing AIM. At the bottom of this panel are buttons for saving notes, adding notes, generating an audio overview, and creating a mind map. On the right is the “Studio” panel showing a video overview titled “Unlocking Learning AIM in VA” with a still image slide. The slide has a blue box with the title “Accessible Materials AIM” and the text “Print based educational materials converted into specialized formats to meet student needs,” alongside a magnifying glass graphic. A video playback bar at the bottom indicates the video is 5 minutes long with 1 minute and 12 seconds played.

NotebookLM Video Overview in the Studio Panel

Creating Human-like Audio Conversations with NotebookLM

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NotebookLM from Google allows educators to design dynamic audio experiences from self-selected content. Educators choose materials, load them to NotebookLM, and then create an audio overview. The resulting audio sounds like two human podcast hosts discussing the content. Here’s a sample of the podcast hosts discussing the accomplishments of the Specialized Instructional Facilitators – Assistive Technology and the Assistive Technology Specialist during the 2024 – 2025 school year and a transcript of the podcast. Once created, educators can download the audio file to share with learners.

Screenshot of Google’s NotebookLM interface showing a project titled “Inclusive Design and Assistive Technology Accomplishments: 2024–2025.” The screen is divided into three main panels. On the left is a “Sources” panel with one document selected. In the center is a “Chat” panel displaying a summary of the document with headings, emojis, and descriptive text. At the bottom of this panel are buttons for saving notes, adding notes, generating an audio overview, and creating a mind map. On the right is a “Studio” panel with tiles labeled Audio Overview, Video Overview, Mind Map, and Reports, along with a section for an interactive audio file. At the bottom right is a playback bar showing an audio recording titled “Unlocking Potential: How LCPS…” with play and note options. The top navigation bar contains controls for Analytics, Share, and Settings.

NotebookLM – Audio Overview is available in the Studio panel on the right.

Hovering Over Suggestions to Have Them Read Aloud Using the Check It Feature of Read&Write for Google Chrome

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The Check It feature of Read&Write for Google Chrome extension checks writing for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and common word confusion errors. When activated, it will create a purple underline under potential errors. This works in addition to built-in spell checking or grammar checking software in the word processing software, appearing above or below any underlines that software may generate. It will also generate a list of suggested corrections. These corrections can be read out loud by Read&Write for Google Chrome if the user turns on the “Read Check It suggestions on hover” option in settings.

On the far right of the Read&Write for Google Chrome toolbar, select the 3 horizontal dots and then select, “Settings.” On the left side of the menu that opens, select “Check It.” Then check the box next to, “Read Check It suggestions on hover.” At the time of this blog post’s publication, Read&Write for Google Chrome is available to every student and teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools. This feature could be added to an editing process to improve writing.

Read&Write for Google Chrome settings screenshot displaying the Read Check It suggestions on hover checkbox in the Check It tab

Read Check It suggestions on hover

Add Subtitles to a Video Created in WeVideo Classroom

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WeVideo Classroom is a video creation and editing tool available to any educator and student in Loudoun County Public Schools through LCPSGo. The Subtitle Generator feature invites users to automatically create subtitles from the speech  in the video. This provides the opportunity for those experiencing the video to have a multimodal experience with text that matches the audio dialogue. To add subtitles to a video being created in WeVideo Classroom, follow the directions on the website titled Can I generate subtitles in WeVideo Classroom?

Screenshot of a WeVideo export page with subtitles shown on the left side.

Use the Subtitles button at the bottom to automatically create subtitles.

 

Moving the Screen to Follow the Mouse Accessibility Feature of ChromeOS

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The “Move Screen Continuously as Mouse Moves” option within the Full-Screen Magnifier feature of ChromeOS on a Chromebook is particularly beneficial for users of screen magnification to navigate more effectively. When enabled, it automatically moves the magnified area in the direction of the mouse cursor, creating a seamless and more intuitive navigation experience. This dynamic movement allows users to explore different parts of the screen without needing to constantly adjust the magnified area manually.

To access this feature, open the Settings on the ChromeOS device. Navigate to the ‘Advanced’ section and select ‘Accessibility.’ From there, choose ‘Manage Accessibility Features.’ Under the ‘Display and Magnification’ section, find the option for the Full-Screen Magnifier. Enable it, and then toggle on the ‘Move Screen Continuously as Mouse Moves’ feature. This unlocks a smoother and more accessible user interface, catering to those who use magnification to interact with their device effectively.Screenshot of the Display and Magnification Full-Screen Magnifier Feature

Art Is For Everyone at Kenneth Culbert Elementary School

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Addison Bender is the Art teacher at Kenneth Culbert Elementary School. He works to create opportunities for learners with all different types of abilities to express themselves through art using various assistive technologies. Examples include paint brushes made from pool noodles, duct tape, and old mop heads, various handles affixed to molded melted crayons, and much, much, more. Mr. Bender shares some of his ideas in the video Art Is For Everyone. In what ways can you make art more accessible to every learner?

Swipe to Type Using the Onscreen Keyboard on a Chromebook

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For some learners, it might be faster and easier to enter text into a keyboard by gliding over the keys rather than lifting and dropping a finger. Learners can access the Swipe to Type feature of the onscreen keyboard on a Chromebook to glide to type. To access the on screen keyboard use the following steps:

  1. Sign in to the Chromebook.
  2. At the bottom right, select the time.
  3. Select Settings  and then Accessibility.
  4. Under “Keyboard and text input,” turn on On-screen keyboard.

The keyboard will then appear on the screen. Then use the following steps

  1. Select the location where you want to type.
  2. Slide a finger or stylus across the letters of the word you want to type.
  3. Lift the finger or stylus when you finish the word. The space key does not need to be selected when a word is completed. Lifting the finger or stylus will automatically add a space.

Happy typing!

Inverting Colors on a Chromebook

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Color inversion is a feature in the Display and Magnification Accessibility section of ChromeOS, designed to enhance the visual experience for users. This feature flips the colors of the display, turning light backgrounds to dark and dark text to light. It’s particularly beneficial for those with certain vision impairments, like light sensitivity or low vision, as it reduces glare and increases contrast, making it easier to read text and view images. Moreover, color inversion can be a boon for users working in low-light conditions or for prolonged periods, as it can reduce eye strain and improve overall comfort.

The feature is not just limited to aiding those with visual impairments. It also appeals to anyone preferring a darker interface for aesthetic or practical reasons. For instance, it’s ideal for users who find traditional bright screens disruptive in dark environments, such as individuals using the Chromebook at night. Additionally, some users simply find inverted colors less harsh, which can be helpful during extended use. ChromeOS’s color inversion feature exemplifies the operating system’s commitment to accessibility and user comfort, catering to a diverse range of needs and preferences.

To enable this feature click on the time located at the bottom-right corner of the screen to open the system menu. Then, select the gear icon to open the Settings menu. In Settings, navigate to the “Advanced” section and then click on “Accessibility.” Here, find the “Display and magnification” options. Within this menu, look for the “Color inversion” option and toggle it on.Screenshot of the Color Inversion Feature

Transcribing Audio to Provide Translatable Text in Microsoft Word Online

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Sometimes educators share content through audio. Text can be created from the audio file and then copy and pasted into a translation tool as a way to represent the content to those who have not yet learned the language of the words spoken in the audio file. Educators can use the Transcribe feature in Microsoft Word Online to convert the words in an audio file into text. They can then use Microsoft Translator or Google Translate to convert the text into various languages.

Screenshot of the Transcribe feature in Word Online

The Transcribe Feature in Word Online

Using Heading Structure to Support Accurate Screen Reading Video

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Office of Civil Rights LogoThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video describes how to use heading structure on a web page or other digital file so everyone can accurately navigate the material.