DS Technology Newsletter

Volume 3 - Fall Edition-Nov/Dec 2003

Inside this issue

  Tips on using APH player
  Web accessibility
  Workshops
  Announcements

 

Upcoming Workshops

* Create a website with Microsoft FrontPage
Tuesday, November 11 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m

* Essentials of Windows
Monday, November 17 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m

All workshops located at Disability Services, Chickasaw Building, Room 404D. All workshops are hands-on using a computer. Register online: http://disability.astate.edu/atech/train.htm

 

Web Accessibility-What It Can Offer

Most people can't live without the internet. The internet has provided an unimaginable amount of information. The world can be at your fingertips, that is if you can click with a mouse, if you can see the screen, if you can hear the audio, or if you don't have a disability that limits your use of the internet. Web accessibility techniques enable all users, not only users with disabilities to access websites. Users who use various browsers and system settings can also be guaranteed access to websites.

Several things to keep in mind to make your site accessible:

  1. Provide equivalent alternatives to auditory and visual content. An example is to use alt tag to insert alternative text for images and caption for audio.
  2. Make sure all links are accessible with keyboard. Many users can't use mouse or have to use a device that mimics a keyboard.
  3. Don't rely on color alone. Ensure that all information conveyed with color is also available without color.
  4. Use markup and style sheets properly.
  5. Create tables that transform gracefully. Ensure that tables are easy to follow and comprehend.
  6. Ensure that pages featuring new technologies transform gracefully. For example: make sure that java applets, java scripts, and flash movies are accessible. Ensure that page is useable when they are turned off.
  7. Provide clear navigation mechanisms.
  8. Ensure that documents are clear and simple.
  9. Use W3C technologies and guidelines.
  10. Test the accessibility of your website. One of the popular tools is Bobby, available at http://www.cast.org/bobby

The above list consist of a partial listing of web accessibility guidelines. For a more complete listing, go to http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/full-checklist.

For questions and assistance regarding web accessibility, contact Christina Laurentia at Disability Services.

Credit: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

 

Tips on Using APH Handi Cassette 4 Track Tape Player

If you use books on tape with an APH tape player, you will find these tips useful.

  To move between pages and sections of the book:

  Press Play with either Fast Forward or Rewind. You will hear the beep tone(s). Single beep tone indicates one page, and double beep tones indicate one chapter/section/short story. For example you want to go back one page, you will need to press Play and Rewind at the same time. After some time, you will hear a single beep tone, which indicate a beginning of the previous one page. You then can release the Rewind button and play the tape as usual.

  To change the speed and pitch of the reading voice:

  DPC On is used to change the speed and pitch of the voice. To use the speed as it is, set the DPC to Off. Once you set DPC to off, you can adjust the speed and pitch of the reading voice as you like.

 

Essentials of Windows Workshop

Topics include: customizing desktop; searching for files; looking up help; saving deleted files; creating, opening, renaming, deleting, copying a file; creating and copying a folder; setting up a printer, a screen saver and a wallpaper; cleaning up your hard drive; working with Word; formatting texts, inserting pictures, etc. Assistive technology (i.e.: screen reader, screen magnifier, etc) will be integrated as necessary.

 

Announcement

* Books on tape/e-text

  We start accepting orders for books on tape for Spring semester on November 17, 2003. Order early, so you can get your books on tape early. Some of the books can take up to several weeks processing time.

  You still need to purchase a hard copy of your textbook.

* NEAIA Workshop November 11 @ 6:30 -8:30. Topic: Facilitating Manual Communication for Interpreters.

* Final Exams DS students who will be taking their Final Exams in Disability Services will need to notify DS immediately. (Contact Debbie Jernigan-972-3964)

* Mark your calendar to attend Disability Awareness Week -March 8-11, 2004. There will be workshops, Student Forum (March 10), and Symposium & Luncheon (March 11).

 

DS Tech Newsletter

Editor: Christina Laurentia
This newsletter is also available in alternative formats. Contact Disability Services for more information.