ASU Disability Services Technology Newsletter

Volume 2, April 2003

Inside this issue:

  Disability Awareness Week and Technology Fair
  Accessible Website case
  Be a Better Reader workshop
  Did you know?

 

Upcoming Workshops

* Be a Better Reader
Thursday, April 10 at 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Refer to information below for description

* Create a website with Microsoft FrontPage
Tuesday, April 15 at 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Topic: Creating and formatting a page; inserting images and links; using animation, table, theme, etc.
All workshops located at Disability Services, Chickasaw Building, Room 404D. All workshops are hands-on using a computer.
Contact Christina at Disability Services (Phone: 972-3964) to register. Space is limited.

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BE A BETTER READER, TECHNOLOGY FOR READING

Thursday, April 10, 2003 at 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

  Want to:

  Learn how to read faster and better?
  Understand the reading materials better?
  Memorize the reading for exam?

  Then this workshop is for you.

  This workshop will cover techniques to be a better reader utilizing a software called Kurzweil 3000. No background knowledge of Kurzweil 3000 required.

Techniques include:

  Using text-to-speech engine, pre-reading and vocabulary skills, active reading and listening, outlining and notetaking, test preparation and test-taking skills, tips on writing

  Students are encouraged to bring their own reading material especially for their class reading assignment.

 

Disability Awareness Week & Technology Fair was a success!

We had great participation on all activities during Disability Awareness Week (DAW) that was held from March 10 to 13, 2003. The activities included Office Exhibits, Deaf Education workshop; Understanding the diagnosis of students with LD, ADD, and TBI workshop; Student forum; and Symposium & Luncheon. DAW is an opportunity for ASU community to know more about disabilities. The purpose is to create a positive awareness of disabilities.

  The technology fair that was held on October 30, 2002 was a complete success. Over 380 people attended the fair. 11 students organizations and over 70 students volunteers for the fair. The purpose of the fair was to provide information on a variety of assistive devices that will promote and encourage mobility and productivity for people with disabilities. We also had door prizes and silent auctions during the fair. Some of many entities that were at the fair were Abilities Unlimited, Arkansas Relay Service, AT&T Wireless, Educational Services for Visually Impaired, and Jonesboro Police Department.

 

Inaccessible Website Case

A federal judge ruled that an Atlanta mass transit agency constructed a website that was inaccessible for people with visual disability. The case was filed by people with disabilities in Atlanta against the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

  The plaintiffs expressed their concerns about numerous problems they experienced with accessibility in MARTA, including difficulties in obtaining schedule and route information in an accessible format. The court's order can be found on this website :

  http://www.gand.uscourts.gov/documents/1001cv3255TWTinj.pdf

 

Did you know

Qualified students can get their textbooks and reading materials in different formats: tape, electronic text, audio CD, and mp3. Electronic text is a text file that can be read by a computer using specific text-to-audio software. The benefit of electronic text is its capability to jump to any page that they need to read. They will also be able to set their reading preferences including reading speed, pitch, and voice types. Tape and audio CD however, are more portable. Audio CD works on standard CD players. Electronic text requires a computer loaded with sound card or a specific electronic text player. Explore the possibilities so you can get the most out of them.

  You will need to order books in alternate format early to be able to get them on time.

 

DS Technology Newsletter

Christina Laurentia - Editor
Computer Support Specialist
Kara Wright - Learning Disability Specialist
Leo Glover - Physical Accommodation

The newsletter is also available in accessible formats. Contact Disability Services for more information.