The 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 six minute video shares real-life examples of how some learners and parents with disabilities access and utilize technology to have an equitable experience.
Dual Highlighting of Text to Speech in MackinVia
MackinVia, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, provides books with a built-in text to speech function which also features dual highlighting. This means the sentence being read aloud is highlighted yellow while the words being spoken are highlighted in grey. The dual highlighting invites learners to follow along with their eyes. MackinVia is available through LCPS Go and as an app in the Google Play Store on Chromebooks.
Screenshot of dual highlighting in Mackinvia
Completing Equations Using the Prediction Feature of EquatIO
The prediction feature of the Google Chrome extension EquatIO invites users to begin to generate an equation and then choose from options to complete that equation. Select the EquatIO extension. When the toolbar opens at the bottom of the screen, select the Equation Editor and begin typing any mathematical or scientific equation. EquatIO will display options of that the equation. The following video is a short demonstration of how the prediction feature works in EquatIO. At the time this blog post’s publication, EquatIO is available to every learner in Loudoun County Public Schools.
Accessing Audiobooks in MackinVia
Audiobooks are a way for some learners to read with their ears. MackinVia, a tool available in Loudoun County Public Schools, has a number of audiobooks students can use to listen to human-narrated content. MackinVia is available through LCPS Go and as an app in the Google Play Store on Chromebooks.
Screenshot of MackinVia Audiobooks
Digital Accessibility: Three Points About The Law Video
The 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 six minute video describes the basic principles within two federal civil rights laws relevant to digital accessibility in the educational context: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Student-led Maker Projects to Design and Create More Inclusive and Accessible Experiences
Students in the Spectrum program at J. Michael Lunsford Middle School practiced learning how to make meaningful contributions to the world by participating in a redesign challenge to make educational tools (Assistive Technology) for peers with disabilities. The students visited with peers in a variety of environments including physical education, art, and other classrooms to learn about some of the equipment used to access instruction. They then went to work designing, redesigning, and making resources that would provide alternative ways to participate in the learning experiences. 75 projects were created which were then shared with students, staff, and the community. Staff from the Digital Media and Engagement office were invited to join a few classes to experience students presenting their projects. The collaborative efforts were also featured on the local news. Check out the segment featured at https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1145266
“AT Twister” by Cooke, B., Lisak, C., Bishen, R., and Podugu, T. (2022) is an example of one of the projects. Players are invited to target circles using multiple senses. People need not rely on one sense to play the game. A player can reach for a target based on color, a tactile descriptor (bumpy, soft, round), and/or number of items (three blue circles, five white cotton balls, etc.) making the game more accessible to the varying abilities of potential players.
Capturing and Converting Equations in Videos and Beyond Using the EquatIO ScreenShot Reader
Learners can capture handwritten equations in videos and other media using the ScreenShot Reader feature of the Google Chrome extension EquatIO and convert them into digital characters. Open a video, like one found on YouTube or in Google Drive. Select the EquatIO extension. When the toolbar opens at the bottom of the screen, select the ScreenShot Reader. Lasso the equation displayed on the screen. EquatIO will take a moment to scan and convert the equation. Once finished, the equation will automatically be read aloud. Using the three dots on the far right, users can choose to copy the converted equation and then paste it into another application, like a Google Doc. The following video is a short demonstration of how to use the ScreenShot Reader function in EquatIO to capture, convert, copy, and then paste an equation. At the time this blog post’s publication, EquatIO is available to every learner in Loudoun County Public Schools.
An Introduction to Digital Accessibility for People with Disabilities
The 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. The introductory video provide insights on the importance of designing and delivering accessible experiences for individuals with disabilities.
Predicting Words Ahead with Read&Write for Google Chrome
The Word Prediction feature of the Google Chrome extension Read&Write for Google Chrome provides a list of potential words someone might use next in a sentence. By default, the feature is set to predict ahead where a list of words appear without beginning the next word. With the feature active, a user need to generate their own word and instead choose a word from the options provided. Select the Read&Write for Google Chrome (purple puzzle piece) icon to open the toolbar. Select the crystal ball icon to activate word prediction. While activated, a list of potential words will be automatically generated. A user can select from the list by clicking on the word. A user could also use the key command of CTRL + the corresponding numeral of the word in the list. The following video is a short demonstration of how to use the Word Prediction feature in Read&Write for Google Chrome. At the time of this blog post’s publication, Read&Write for Google Chrome is available to every learner in Loudoun County Public Schools.
Listening to Equations Using the EquatIO ScreenShot Reader
Learners can listen to equations using the ScreenShot Reader feature of the Google Chrome extension EquatIO. Select ScreenShot Reader and lasso the equation or equations to be read aloud. EquatIO will take a moment to scan and convert the equation. Once finished, the equation will automatically be read aloud. Any learner who can listen to the equation can now have the equation provided in an auditory format. The following video is a short demonstration of how to use the ScreenShot Reader function in EquatIO. At the time of this blog post’s publication, EquatIO is available to every learner in Loudoun County Public Schools.