Catalog+of+Accessibility+Devices


 * **Accessibility Options** || **How Teachers Can Use** ||
 * **Speech:** || ||
 * //Speech Engine- software that runs on a PC and translates text to human sounding speech, requires a sound card.// || It only reads text, so teachers could download a story to Word and it would be read to the student, any text can be read. ||
 * //Screen Readers, software that uses a sound card and keyboard commands to give access to word processing, databases, internet, spreadsheets.// || When the student learns the keyboard commands they have access to all areas of the computer, but it does have trouble reading some material, especially in columns and on the internet, not all applications area compatible. Plus it does take time to learn how to use it. Teachers can have the computer used just like the other students. Also, if you did not have papers put into Braille, they could be read from the computer, or for students who are struggling with reading they can hear it and see the print. ||
 * //A simplified screen reader, Narrator, is in Windows 2000 that works with programs that support Microsoft’s Active Accessibility standard found in the Utility Manager.// || Teachers/students can try out this simple screen reader, it does not have all the capabilities of regular screen readers. It is meant for those who do not have access to other screen readers. ||
 * **Magnification Systems** || ||
 * //Buying a larger monitor.// || This can help to make the character size bigger without losing information, but doesn’t enlarge as much as screen magnification software. This is good for students with low vision who need things magnified and don’t need extreme size and don’t want to learn how to work the other software. Handouts made on a computer can be saved to the flashdrive or disc and the student can to the work on the computer with the magnification needed. ||
 * //Low Vision Aids- magnifying glasses, hand-held telescopes, screen magnifiers.// || All these are portable and allow a student to magnify what they are looking at- a book, the blackboard or a computer screen. The screen magnifier also cuts down on glare, which many low vision students have a problem with. Simple and effective tools, but I have only known one student who would use it. Most low vision students do not want to appear different and they do not use most of the tools provided to them. ||
 * //Large Print Books- text books, library books made with bigger font// || These are nice because the teacher doesn’t have to worry if the student needs something enlarged and the student doesn’t have to strain to see the smaller print. The books are cumbersome and heavy. Regular size books are sent home for the student for all course work so they do not have to carry the big ones. ||
 * //Closed Circuit Television Systems, CCTV// || The CCTV is a stand alone piece of equipment that allows students to read. They have a video camera, a screen and a table for holding the reading material. The camera allows the print to go to the screen and gets enlarged appropriately. They can be used with a computer and can have a split screen so the student can read the assignment and look things up on the internet. The CCTV does not enlarge the information from the computer, you need magnification software. This kind of system is good in an elementary setting where the student does not move for classes. They use regular books, but have to work at a separate work area. The student doesn’t have to worry about being able to read handouts or read other students work. The student can also fill in the worksheet on the CCTV. ||
 * //Handheld and head mounted CCTV’s// || Handheld CCTV’s are very cool to the students. You don’t have to work at a separate location and it doesn’t take up a lot of room. They are placed on top the the material being read and the student can see where they need to write on a handout/worksheet. The head mounted ones are like a pair of glasses and can be hooked up to the TV or computer, but they are expensive. ||
 * //Magnification Software- Zoomtext is one kind that DVI uses// || This is used on the computer and works with all text and graphics based systems. The AR tests can be enlarged, the programs in the lab can be enlarged if it is installed in the central file server. If that cannot be done then only one computer in the classroom will have it. It allow the student to see whatever is needed to do the task ||
 * //A smaller magnification system called Magnifier can be found through Active Accessibility on Microsoft found in the Utility Manager// || Only works on standard Windows screens elements. ||
 * **Braille Systems** || ||
 * //Braille and Nemeth Code// || Braille is the written language of the blind. It is a series of six dots in different combinations to make the alphabet which would be considered uncontracted Braille. Then there is contracted Braille with many (280+) abbreviations or contractions, examples: k, knowledge, tgr, together. The classroom teacher has to understand that learning Braille is like learning another language and is usually a pull out class. The contractions are taught slowly through a reading curriculum, and it usually takes 3-4 years to learn. The Nemeth Code is the Braille code for math, which uses the same symbols but they have different meanings. ||
 * //Perkins Braille Writer// || A manual machine used to produce Braille. When first learning Braille the students use this, it helps with their fine and gross motor skills and is hard to break and if the electricity goes out it still works. All writing and math assignments will be done on it and then transcribed by the TVI or the paraprofessional with the Resource Room. The student will have one in school and one at home. The brailler is the students pencil. ||
 * //Electronic Braille machines, such as the Mountbatten// || It is an electric Braille writer that can edit errors, and has word processing capabilities. It also can be connected to an ink print printer and as the student works in Braille a command can be sent to print it out in print, it can be connected to a keyboard and the teacher can type and it will come out in Braille. This provides independence to the student and allows the teacher to participate in the process more. This piece of equipment is great for the elementary years where a student stays in one place, but it would be harder to use when on the move. ||
 * //Braille printers-embossers and braille translation software// || These two work together and are generally used by the TVI or paraprofessional. The software enables people to word process and then get it translated and put into braille through the embosser and it could also be put into print. The classroom teacher can save worksheets to a flashdrive and give it to the TVI/para and they can be put into braille. ||
 * //Mountbatten// || It is an electric Braille writer that can edit errors, and has word procession capabilities. It also can be connected to an ink print printer and as the student works in Braille a command will send it to the ink printer and be in print for the teacher or classmates. It can also be connected to a keyboard and the teacher can enter in work for the student and it comes out in braille. This provides independence for the student and allows the teacher to participate in the process. This equipment is great for the elementary grades where the student stays in one classroom. ||
 * //Braille Displays// || These are electronic refreshable Braille displays that hook up to a computer or a notetaker. The display allows the student to read what they are brailling because there is no hard copy. ||
 * //Braille Notetakers// || Word processors that use Braille for input and can have the braille displays attached. This is a wonderful tool, they are small and easily portable, and especially good in middle or high school where they move to each class. When the student needs to print out braille/print they go to the room where all the periferals are kept and downloads the files needed. ||
 * //OCRs- Optical Character Recognition Software// || You need a computer, a flatbed scanner and an embosser. Papers, worksheets and books that need to be put into braille or read orally can be taken through this process. The OCR is picky about what it will translate and read- they don't like columns, pictures or fancy print styles, sometimes it is easier to retype the paper into the braille translating software. ||
 * //Wikki Stix, fabric paint, sewing wheel, dots, glue, 3-D objects, actual objects or models...// || These are some other things used to make adaptations to the classroom curriculum. There are many other possibilities. ||
 * //Braille Notetakers// || Word processors that use Braille for input and can have the braille displays attached. This is a wonderful tool, they are small and easily portable, and especially good in middle or high school where they move to each class. When the student needs to print out braille/print they go to the room where all the periferals are kept and downloads the files needed. ||
 * //OCRs- Optical Character Recognition Software// || You need a computer, a flatbed scanner and an embosser. Papers, worksheets and books that need to be put into braille or read orally can be taken through this process. The OCR is picky about what it will translate and read- they don't like columns, pictures or fancy print styles, sometimes it is easier to retype the paper into the braille translating software. ||
 * //Wikki Stix, fabric paint, sewing wheel, dots, glue, 3-D objects, actual objects or models...// || These are some other things used to make adaptations to the classroom curriculum. There are many other possibilities. ||